Comprehensive Guide to Alzheimer’s for NCLEX Questions: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

A 78-year-old patient with Alzheimer’s Disease is admitted to the hospital. The patient is experiencing increased confusion, aggression, and wandering. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to manage the patient’s behavior?  a) Administering a sedative to calm the patient b) Restraining the patient to prevent wandering c) Providing a structured environment with routine d) Ignoring the patient’s behaviors e) Encouraging isolation to prevent disturbances

Correct Answer: c) Providing a structured environment with routine

Rationale: Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease often benefit from a structured environment and routine, which can help reduce confusion and agitation. Administering sedatives may lead to adverse effects and is not the first-line approach. Restraining the patient can exacerbate agitation and pose safety risks. Ignoring the behaviors or encouraging isolation is not therapeutic and may worsen the patient’s condition.

qbankproacademy.com, ANCC, AANP, NCLEX

Start the 60-Day NCLEX Challenge

A family member of a patient with dementia expresses concerns about the patient’s increasing forgetfulness and inability to perform activities of daily living. The nurse should recommend which approach to assist the family in managing the patient’s care at home?  a) Providing minimal assistance to promote independence b) Taking over all tasks to ensure proper care c) Encouraging the family to leave the patient alone d) Suggesting institutionalization for better care e) Providing written instructions for the family

Correct Answer: a) Providing minimal assistance to promote independence

Rationale: Promoting independence is crucial in managing dementia patients at home. Providing minimal assistance allows the patient to engage in self-care activities to the best of their ability. Taking over all tasks may lead to loss of skills and independence. Leaving the patient alone or institutionalizing them should be considered only if safety is a major concern. Providing written instructions may be helpful, but promoting independence is the priority.

NCLEX Questions Critical Thinking: Alzheimer’s Symptoms

A nurse is caring for a group of older adults in a long-term care facility. One resident with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease is frequently agitated and aggressive towards others. What nursing intervention should the nurse prioritize to address this behavior?  a) Administering antipsychotic medication b) Placing the resident in isolation c) Implementing diversional activities d) Using physical restraints as needed e) Ignoring the aggressive behavior

Correct Answer: c) Implementing diversional activities

Rationale: Implementing diversional activities is a non-pharmacological intervention to redirect and engage individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. Antipsychotic medications should be used cautiously due to potential side effects. Placing the resident in isolation or using physical restraints is not recommended as it may worsen agitation and pose safety risks. Ignoring the behavior is not therapeutic and may lead to increased distress for the resident and others.

NCLEX Review: Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments

A 70-year-old patient with Alzheimer’s Disease is frequently experiencing sundowning, exhibiting increased confusion and agitation during the late afternoon and evening. The nurse is planning interventions to manage sundowning symptoms. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nurse to implement?  a) Administering a sedative to induce sleep b) Increasing environmental stimulation in the evening c) Encouraging afternoon naps to prevent fatigue d) Keeping the room brightly lit during the night e) Restraining the patient to prevent wandering

Correct Answer: d) Keeping the room brightly lit during the night

Rationale: Keeping the room brightly lit during the night can help regulate the patient’s circadian rhythm and reduce sundowning symptoms. Administering sedatives may lead to adverse effects and is not the primary intervention. Increasing environmental stimulation in the evening may exacerbate agitation. Encouraging afternoon naps may disrupt the patient’s sleep-wake cycle. Restraint use is not recommended unless necessary for safety.

NCLEX Focus Exploring Alzheimer’s: Causes and Diagnosis

A family member of a patient with early-stage dementia is seeking advice on promoting cognitive function and delaying further decline. What nursing recommendation is most appropriate for the family member?  a) Encouraging the use of memory aids b) Minimizing social interactions to reduce stress c) Administering high doses of vitamin supplements d) Restricting physical activities to prevent fatigue e) Avoiding exposure to new stimuli

Correct Answer: a) Encouraging the use of memory aids

Rationale: Encouraging the use of memory aids, such as calendars and reminders, can help support cognitive function in individuals with dementia. Minimizing social interactions may lead to social isolation and worsen cognitive decline. High doses of vitamin supplements have not been proven effective in preventing dementia progression. Restricting physical activities may contribute to physical and cognitive decline. Avoiding exposure to new stimuli may limit cognitive stimulation.

NCLEX Questions: Focus on Medications for Alzheimer’s

A nurse is caring for a group of residents with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease in a long-term care facility. One resident is repeatedly expressing distress and searching for a deceased loved one. What nursing intervention should the nurse prioritize to address the resident’s emotional needs?  a) Administering a sedative to calm the resident b) Reminding the resident of the loved one’s death c) Providing a comforting presence and redirection d) Placing the resident in isolation to prevent disturbances e) Ignoring the resident’s distress

Correct Answer: c) Providing a comforting presence and redirection

Rationale: Providing a comforting presence and redirection is a compassionate and therapeutic approach to address the emotional needs of a resident with advanced Alzheimer’s who is searching for a deceased loved one. Administering sedatives may have adverse effects and is not the first-line intervention. Reminding the resident of the loved one’s death may increase distress. Isolation and ignoring the resident’s distress are not recommended as they may worsen emotional well-being.

NCLEX Practice Questions: Understanding Alzheimer’s Causes and Symptoms

A patient with moderate Alzheimer’s Disease is exhibiting aggressive behaviors towards staff and other residents. The nurse is developing a care plan to manage these behaviors. What nursing intervention should be prioritized to address aggression in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease?  a) Administering antipsychotic medication b) Using physical restraints as needed c) Implementing diversional activities and a calm environment d) Ignoring the aggressive behaviors e) Restricting access to social interactions

Correct Answer: c) Implementing diversional activities and a calm environment

Rationale: Implementing diversional activities and creating a calm environment are non-pharmacological interventions that can help redirect and reduce aggression in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. Antipsychotic medications should be used cautiously due to potential side effects. Using physical restraints may exacerbate aggression and pose safety risks. Ignoring aggressive behaviors is not therapeutic and may lead to increased distress. Restricting access to social interactions may contribute to social isolation and worsen behavior.

qbankproacademy.com, ANCC, AANP, NCLEX

Understanding Alzheimer’s: Causes and Symptoms

A 68-year-old patient with Alzheimer’s Disease is admitted to a long-term care facility. The patient frequently wanders into other residents’ rooms, causing distress among peers. What nursing intervention is most appropriate to address this behavior?  a) Administering a sedative to promote sleep b) Placing the patient in physical restraints c) Assigning a dedicated staff member to monitor the patient d) Ignoring the wandering behavior e) Encouraging the patient to wander freely

Correct Answer: c) Assigning a dedicated staff member to monitor the patient

Rationale: Assigning a dedicated staff member to monitor the patient ensures safety while respecting the patient’s need for movement. Administering sedatives may lead to adverse effects and is not the primary intervention. Physical restraints should only be used as a last resort due to ethical and safety concerns. Ignoring the wandering behavior may contribute to safety risks for the patient and others. Encouraging free wandering may not be feasible in a care facility setting.

Understanding Alzheimer’s: NCLEX Delegation Questions

A family member of a patient with early-stage dementia expresses concern about the patient’s difficulty in remembering to take medications. What nursing intervention should the nurse recommend to support medication management at home?  a) Administering the medications without the patient’s knowledge b) Using a pill organizer with compartments for each day c) Withholding medications to avoid potential side effects d) Increasing the medication dosages for better efficacy e) Encouraging the patient to rely on memory for medication timing

Correct Answer: b) Using a pill organizer with compartments for each day

Rationale: Using a pill organizer helps organize and facilitate medication management for individuals with early-stage dementia. Administering medications without the patient’s knowledge is not ethical and may lead to trust issues. Withholding medications can have serious health consequences. Increasing dosages without proper assessment may result in adverse effects. Relying on memory for medication timing is challenging for individuals with dementia.

Understanding Alzheimer’s: NCLEX Priority Questions

A nurse is caring for a group of residents with varying stages of Alzheimer’s Disease in a memory care unit. One resident is repeatedly asking about going home and expresses feelings of being lost. What nursing intervention is most appropriate to address the resident’s distress?  a) Telling the resident that they are already home b) Administering a sedative to calm the resident c) Providing a comforting presence and validation d) Placing the resident in isolation to prevent disturbances e) Redirecting the resident’s attention to a different topic

Correct Answer: c) Providing a comforting presence and validation

Rationale: Providing a comforting presence and validation acknowledges the resident’s feelings and helps alleviate distress. Telling the resident they are already home may cause confusion. Administering sedatives should be avoided as a first-line intervention. Isolation and redirection may not address the emotional needs of the resident. Comforting presence and validation promote a therapeutic and empathetic approach.