NR 547 Final Exam 2026 | Neurocognitive Disorders
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Psychiatric
Nursing Review
1. A client was diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease. What
pharmacologic therapy would be anticipated? A. Carbidopa-Levodopa B. Amitriptyline C.
Memantine D. Quetiapine
2. An 89-year-old presents with symptoms of Dementia. Which diagnostic test should
be performed initially to rule out treatable causes of symptoms? A- Arterial Blood
Gas, B- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, C-Electrocardiogram. D-Cobalamin level
In the case of an 89-year-old patient presenting with symptoms of dementia, the
initial diagnostic test to rule out treatable causes of symptoms should be **D -
Cobalamin level**.
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) deficiency can lead to cognitive impairments and
dementia-like symptoms, making it a treatable cause of such symptoms. Other tests,
such as MRI, can provide more information on brain structure and an
electrocardiogram might help identify cardiovascular issues, but checking cobalamin
levels is more directly related to reversible causes of dementia.
The most appropriate initial diagnostic test to rule out treatable causes of dementia
symptoms is:
D. Cobalamin level
A cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency can cause reversible cognitive impairment and
symptoms that mimic dementia, especially in older adults. It's important to check for
this deficiency early in the diagnostic process, as treatment can improve or reverse
symptoms if identified.
,• Arterial Blood Gas (A) is used to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the
blood, which is not typically relevant for diagnosing dementia.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (B) can be helpful to assess structural brain
changes, but it's not usually the first step when ruling out reversible causes of
, dementia.
• Electrocardiogram (C) assesses heart rhythm and function but is not directly
relevant to diagnosing cognitive impairment.
Starting with a cobalamin level helps identify a common and easily treatable cause
of cognitive decline.
3. What information can assist the clinician in differentiating Dementia from Depression?
A patient with dementia has symptoms for a long time before seeking medical
help. B- clients with the diagnosis typically have a slow progression of symptoms after
onset. C- A client with depression typically presents with an insidious onset of
symptoms. D- client with dementia typically provide detailed complaints of specific
cognitive dysfunction.
From Kaplan pg 237
Practice Questions & Verified Answers | Psychiatric
Nursing Review
1. A client was diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease. What
pharmacologic therapy would be anticipated? A. Carbidopa-Levodopa B. Amitriptyline C.
Memantine D. Quetiapine
2. An 89-year-old presents with symptoms of Dementia. Which diagnostic test should
be performed initially to rule out treatable causes of symptoms? A- Arterial Blood
Gas, B- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, C-Electrocardiogram. D-Cobalamin level
In the case of an 89-year-old patient presenting with symptoms of dementia, the
initial diagnostic test to rule out treatable causes of symptoms should be **D -
Cobalamin level**.
Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) deficiency can lead to cognitive impairments and
dementia-like symptoms, making it a treatable cause of such symptoms. Other tests,
such as MRI, can provide more information on brain structure and an
electrocardiogram might help identify cardiovascular issues, but checking cobalamin
levels is more directly related to reversible causes of dementia.
The most appropriate initial diagnostic test to rule out treatable causes of dementia
symptoms is:
D. Cobalamin level
A cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency can cause reversible cognitive impairment and
symptoms that mimic dementia, especially in older adults. It's important to check for
this deficiency early in the diagnostic process, as treatment can improve or reverse
symptoms if identified.
,• Arterial Blood Gas (A) is used to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the
blood, which is not typically relevant for diagnosing dementia.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (B) can be helpful to assess structural brain
changes, but it's not usually the first step when ruling out reversible causes of
, dementia.
• Electrocardiogram (C) assesses heart rhythm and function but is not directly
relevant to diagnosing cognitive impairment.
Starting with a cobalamin level helps identify a common and easily treatable cause
of cognitive decline.
3. What information can assist the clinician in differentiating Dementia from Depression?
A patient with dementia has symptoms for a long time before seeking medical
help. B- clients with the diagnosis typically have a slow progression of symptoms after
onset. C- A client with depression typically presents with an insidious onset of
symptoms. D- client with dementia typically provide detailed complaints of specific
cognitive dysfunction.
From Kaplan pg 237
