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Cognitive Conditions
Cognitive Conditions ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.
The nurse suspects that the client has developed delirium based on which of the following findings?
This is wrong because difficulty remembering recent events and conversations is more likely a sign of dementia, which is a slow and progressive decline in memory and other thinking skills.
Dementia can also increase the risk of delirium, but it is not the same condition.
The client has a decreased level of consciousness and is difficult to arouse.
This is a sign of delirium, which is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects attention and awareness.
Delirium is often caused by a combination of factors, such as infection, medication, surgery or dehydration.
Delirium is more common in older adults, especially those with dementia or other chronic conditions.
This is wrong because having a history of Alzheimer’s disease and taking donepezil daily does not necessarily mean that the client has delirium.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, language and behavior.
Donepezil is a medication that can help improve cognitive function in some people with Alzheimer’s disease.
However, neither Alzheimer’s disease nor donepezil can cause delirium by themselves.
This is wrong because having a normal blood pressure and pulse rate does not rule out delirium.
Delirium can affect people with normal vital signs, as well as those with abnormal ones.
Delirium is more related to brain function than to cardiovascular function.
The correct answer is B.
The client has a decreased level of consciousness and is difficult to arouse.
This is a sign of delirium, which is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects attention and awareness.
Delirium is often caused by a combination of factors, such as infection, medication, surgery or dehydration.
Delirium is more common in older adults, especially those with dementia or other chronic conditions.
Choice A is wrong because difficulty remembering recent events and conversations is more likely a sign of dementia, which is a slow and progressive decline in memory and other thinking skills.
Dementia can also increase the risk of delirium, but it is not the same condition.
Choice C is wrong because having a history of Alzheimer’s disease and taking donepezil daily does not necessarily mean that the client has delirium.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, language and behavior.
Donepezil is a medication that can help improve cognitive function in some people with Alzheimer’s disease.
However, neither Alzheimer’s disease nor donepezil can cause delirium by themselves.
Choice D is wrong because having a normal blood pressure and pulse rate does not rule out delirium.
Delirium can affect people with normal vital signs, as well as those with abnormal ones.
Delirium is more related to brain function than to cardiovascular function.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mmHg for systolic/diastolic pressure, and for pulse rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute.
However, these ranges may vary depending on age, health status and other factors.