A nurse is caring for an older adult who lives in a long-term care facility on the Alzheimer unit. Every evening around 5:00 p.m., the resident becomes increasingly agitated and more confused, a state that lasts throughout the evening. The nurse recognizes this behaviour as:
personality disorder.
dementia.
delirium.
sundowning syndrome.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Personality disorder. Personality disorders are long-term patterns of behaviour and inner experiences that deviate significantly from the expectations of the individual's culture. The described behaviour is a specific pattern related to the time of day, not indicative of a personality disorder.
B. Dementia. While dementia is the underlying condition, the specific worsening of symptoms in the evening is known as sundowning syndrome. Dementia alone does not specify the time-related pattern of increased confusion and agitation.
C. Delirium. Delirium is an acute, often sudden change in cognition and attention, usually caused by an underlying medical condition or substance use. The described behavior follows a regular daily pattern, indicating a different issue.
D. Sundowning syndrome. Sundowning syndrome refers to increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening, commonly seen in individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Alogia: Alogia refers to poverty of speech or a reduction in the amount of speech, not to hallucinations.
B. Disordered thinking: Disordered thinking involves a disruption in logical thought processes but does not specifically describe interacting with non-existent entities.
C. Hallucination: A hallucination is a sensory perception (in this case, visual and possibly auditory) in the absence of an external stimulus. Talking to and arranging furniture for a deceased brother fits this definition.
D. Anhedonia: Anhedonia refers to the inability to experience pleasure, not to hallucinations or disordered perceptions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Meeting patient goals. While meeting patient goals is important, it is the result of care and does not directly build trust or address psychosocial needs on its own.
B. Developing a care plan. Developing a care plan is essential for organizing patient care, but it is a behind-the-scenes activity that the patient may not directly perceive as building trust or addressing psychosocial needs.
C. Implementing nurse orders. Implementing nurse orders is part of routine care delivery but does not specifically build trust or address psychosocial needs.
D. Patient education. Patient education helps build trust by empowering patients with knowledge about their condition and care plan. It encourages patients to have confidence in the care they are receiving and addresses their psychosocial needs by reducing anxiety and uncertainty.
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