Dementia

When developing a plan of care for a hospitalized patient with moderate dementia, which intervention will the nurse include?

• Provide complete personal hygiene for the patient

• Remind the patient frequently about where they are

• Encourage the client to remain in bed to promote rest

• Prepare for bedside intubation

A patient is diagnosed with moderate dementia as a result of multiple strokes. During assessment of the patient, the nurse would expect....

• Sleepiness

• Wheelchair use

• Loss of recent and long term memory

• Unable to eat

Answer explanation

Loss of both recent and long-term memory is characteristic of moderate dementia

A patient is brought to the clinic by a family member who is concerned about the patient's inability to solve problems. To obtain info about the client's mental status, which question should the nurse ask the patient?

• Where were you born?

• Do you have feelings of sadness?

• What did you have for breakfast?

• How is your self image?

Answer explanation

Recent memory is decreased in dementia.

How can you best help a patient with dementia who is having a hard time?

A patient with mild dementia has a new prescription for donepezil (Aricept). Which nursing action will be most effective in ensuring compliance with the medication?

• Involving the patient's spouse in the medication routine

• Setting the medications up weekly in a medication box

• Texting the patient reminders to take their medications

• Writing the patient a note to keep in their wallet as a medication reminder

Answer explanation

The patient will have trouble with learning new skills and forgetfulness.

What is sundowning? What can you do to help your patient who is experiencing it?

Your patient with moderate dementia develops increased restlessness and agitation. What can you do to help?

Dementia is ​ defined as

• Syndrome characterized by cognitive dysfunction and loss of memory

• Disease that is due to increased blood flow to the brain

• Disease caused by diabetes

• Syndrome that results in mood changes

How is a diagnosis of dementia made?

Answer explanation

Based on a patient history and cognitive assessment

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