The nurse is providing patient education to a patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their family. The patient has been prescribed donepezil hydrochloride.
What should the nurse explain to the patient and family about this drug?

Choice D rationale
When assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness, the nurse’s initial action should be to assess the patient’s response to pain. This is a fundamental part of the neurological examination and can provide valuable information about the patient’s level of consciousness and neurological function. Pain response can be assessed by applying a painful stimulus, such as a pinch, and observing the patient’s reaction.
Choice A rationale
Assessing the patient’s ability to follow complex commands is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. This assessment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the patient’s judgment is an important part of the mental status examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. Like the ability to follow complex commands, judgment requires a higher level of cognitive function and may not be assessable in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

Choice C rationale
Assessing the patient’s verbal response is an important part of the neurological examination, but it is not typically the initial action when assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness. The patient’s ability to speak and the content of their speech can provide important information about their neurological function, but this assessment may not be possible in a patient with significantly altered consciousness.

Choice A rationale
Speaking slowly and clearly using yes/no questions one at a time can help facilitate communication with a client diagnosed with aphasia.
Choice B rationale

Asking a family member if they know what the client wants may not always be effective, as the client may have difficulty expressing their needs even to family members.
Choice C rationale
Repeating the same question multiple times may not be effective and could potentially frustrate the client.
Choice D rationale
Putting a cell phone in their right hand to text their questions assumes that the client has the ability to text, which may not be the case for all clients diagnosed with aphasia.