NURSE 420 EXAM 3 LEADERSHIP
2026 STUDY GUIDE TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Brain Dysfunction. Answer: Maladaptive cognitive responses
possible at any age
In some people, cognitive responses do not develop fully or may
deteriorate once developed
Generally childhood maladaptive cognitive responses are called
developmental disabilities or mental retardation
◉ Maladaptive Cognitive Responses. Answer: May occur episodically
or be continual
May be reversible or progressive deterioration in functioning
- Inability to make decisions
- Impaired memory and judgment
- Disorientation
- Misperceptions
- Decreased attention span
- Difficulties with logical reasoning
,◉ Behaviors Associated with Delirium. Answer: Behavioral response to
widespread disturbances in cerebral metabolism
Involves sudden decline from previous level of functioning, usually
considered a medical emergency
Often results from advanced age and medications or medical procedures
Disturbances Caused by Delirium
- Consciousness
- Attention
- Cognition
- Perception
- Motor ability
◉ Behaviors in Delirium. Answer: Disorientation in some or all three
spheres: time, place, person
Thought processes disorganized, poor judgment, little decision-making
ability
Stimuli may be misinterpreted, resulting in illusions and distortions of
reality
Hallucinations
,Assaultive or destructive behavior
Labile affect
Also may note loss of usual social behavior, resulting in acts such as
undressing, playing with food, grabbing at others
Delirious patients tend to act on impulse
Other behaviors may be specifically related to physical cause of
behavioral syndrome
◉ Behaviors in Dementia. Answer: Loss of intellectual abilities,
interferes with usual social or occupational activities
Impairment of memory, judgment, abstract thought
Onset of dementia usually gradual, without clouding of awareness seen
with delirium
May result in progressive deterioration or may stabilize
Personality changes often occur
, ◉ Progression of Dementia. Answer: Reversible stressors that could
cause dementia
- Subdural hematoma
- Tumor (especially meningioma)
- Cerebral vasculitis
- Hydrocephalus
Identify, treat underlying stressors promptly
Involves structural and neurochemical brain changes from:
- Trauma
- Infection
- Cerebrovascular disruptions
- Substance use, or unknown cause
◉ Types of Dementia. Answer: AD
AD plus dementia with Lewy bodies
Vascular dementias, or multi-infarct dementia
Vascular dementias with AD
2026 STUDY GUIDE TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Brain Dysfunction. Answer: Maladaptive cognitive responses
possible at any age
In some people, cognitive responses do not develop fully or may
deteriorate once developed
Generally childhood maladaptive cognitive responses are called
developmental disabilities or mental retardation
◉ Maladaptive Cognitive Responses. Answer: May occur episodically
or be continual
May be reversible or progressive deterioration in functioning
- Inability to make decisions
- Impaired memory and judgment
- Disorientation
- Misperceptions
- Decreased attention span
- Difficulties with logical reasoning
,◉ Behaviors Associated with Delirium. Answer: Behavioral response to
widespread disturbances in cerebral metabolism
Involves sudden decline from previous level of functioning, usually
considered a medical emergency
Often results from advanced age and medications or medical procedures
Disturbances Caused by Delirium
- Consciousness
- Attention
- Cognition
- Perception
- Motor ability
◉ Behaviors in Delirium. Answer: Disorientation in some or all three
spheres: time, place, person
Thought processes disorganized, poor judgment, little decision-making
ability
Stimuli may be misinterpreted, resulting in illusions and distortions of
reality
Hallucinations
,Assaultive or destructive behavior
Labile affect
Also may note loss of usual social behavior, resulting in acts such as
undressing, playing with food, grabbing at others
Delirious patients tend to act on impulse
Other behaviors may be specifically related to physical cause of
behavioral syndrome
◉ Behaviors in Dementia. Answer: Loss of intellectual abilities,
interferes with usual social or occupational activities
Impairment of memory, judgment, abstract thought
Onset of dementia usually gradual, without clouding of awareness seen
with delirium
May result in progressive deterioration or may stabilize
Personality changes often occur
, ◉ Progression of Dementia. Answer: Reversible stressors that could
cause dementia
- Subdural hematoma
- Tumor (especially meningioma)
- Cerebral vasculitis
- Hydrocephalus
Identify, treat underlying stressors promptly
Involves structural and neurochemical brain changes from:
- Trauma
- Infection
- Cerebrovascular disruptions
- Substance use, or unknown cause
◉ Types of Dementia. Answer: AD
AD plus dementia with Lewy bodies
Vascular dementias, or multi-infarct dementia
Vascular dementias with AD
