NUR 321 Exam #3 Questions and
Answers Latest Versions 2025 Graded
A+
A nurse is caring for an older adult who frequently forgets
recent events but can recall childhood memories. The nurse
notes gradual progression of symptoms and no change in
level of consciousness. Which condition is most likely?
Dementia (Neurocognitive Disorder)
The nurse differentiates delirium from dementia based on
which characteristic?
Delirium has an acute onset and fluctuating symptoms; dementia
is gradual and progressive.
A patient is admitted with confusion that developed over the
last 12 hours after surgery. What is the nurse's first action?
Assess for underlying causes such as infection, hypoxia, or
medications
which client is at greatest risk for developing delirium
an 82-year old postop patient on opioid analgesics with a history
of dementia and sleep deprivation
The nurse identifies which as the hallmark findings of
Alzheimer's disease?
Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein.
The nurse is providing education to a family of a patient with
vascular dementia. Which statement indicates
understanding?
"His dementia is related to reduced blood flow from small
strokes."
,The nurse should question which medication order for a
patient with dementia with Lewy bodies?
Haloperidol (Haldol)
The nurse recognizes which symptom as a classic sign of
Dementia with Lewy Bodies?
Visual hallucinations and fluctuating alertness
A client diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia is most
likely to exhibit which behavior?
Disinhibition and inappropriate social behavior
Which finding should alert the nurse to the possibility of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Rapidly progressive cognitive decline with lack of coordination
and visual disturbances.
A patient with normal pressure hydrocephalus exhibits
unsteady gait, urinary incontinence, and confusion. What
treatment should the nurse anticipate?
Surgical shunt placement to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Which factor places a hospitalized client at greatest risk for
delirium?
Multiple medications and sleep deprivation in the intensive care
unit.
The nurse is planning care for a patient with delirium. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
Provide frequent orientation cues and ensure use of glasses or
hearing aids.
A nurse suspects delirium in a patient who is disoriented and
agitated. Which diagnostic test should the nurse review first?
Urinalysis and electrolyte levels (to rule out infection or metabolic
imbalance).
,When caring for a patient with acute delirium, which
medication should be used only if the patient's safety is at
risk?
Low-dose antipsychotic (chemical restraint with caution).
Which outcome best indicates successful treatment of
delirium?
The patient's cognition returns to baseline and they are
discharged to their pre-hospital setting.
Which statement by a nurse demonstrates understanding of
delirium prevention?
"I will encourage mobility, ensure adequate hydration, and
promote sleep."
Which intervention is most important for a patient
experiencing delirium in the hospital?
Identify and treat the underlying cause.
An older adult becomes withdrawn, reports loss of interest in
hobbies, and sleeps excessively. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
Depression.
Why can depression in older adults be mistaken for
dementia?
Both may present with forgetfulness and decreased
concentration.
A nurse is assessing an older adult who has difficulty
remembering new information but can recall long-term
events. What should the nurse do first?
Assess for reversible causes such as medication effects,
dehydration, or infection.
Which nursing action best supports a patient newly
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?
, Encourage independence in daily activities for as long as
possible.
Which of the following is the most common early symptom of
Alzheimer's disease?
Difficulty remembering newly learned information.
Which finding best differentiates Alzheimer's disease from
normal aging?
Inability to retrace steps to find lost objects.
The nurse recognizes which medications are used to slow
cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease?
Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine
(Exelon), and Memantine (Namenda).
A nurse is educating caregivers of a patient with moderate
Alzheimer's. Which instruction is most important?
Maintain a safe environment and prevent wandering or injury.
The nurse notes that an older adult has become increasingly
forgetful, disoriented, and unable to perform ADLs. Which
diagnostic term best describes this condition?
Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia).
Which goal is appropriate for the patient with Alzheimer's
disease?
Maintain functional ability and personal dignity for as long as
possible
A patient with Alzheimer's is becoming increasingly agitated
during evening hours. Which nursing intervention is best?
Provide a calm environment and maintain consistent routines.
The nurse observes a caregiver yelling at a confused
Alzheimer's patient. What is the nurse's priority action?
Ensure the patient's safety and report suspected abuse following
policy
Answers Latest Versions 2025 Graded
A+
A nurse is caring for an older adult who frequently forgets
recent events but can recall childhood memories. The nurse
notes gradual progression of symptoms and no change in
level of consciousness. Which condition is most likely?
Dementia (Neurocognitive Disorder)
The nurse differentiates delirium from dementia based on
which characteristic?
Delirium has an acute onset and fluctuating symptoms; dementia
is gradual and progressive.
A patient is admitted with confusion that developed over the
last 12 hours after surgery. What is the nurse's first action?
Assess for underlying causes such as infection, hypoxia, or
medications
which client is at greatest risk for developing delirium
an 82-year old postop patient on opioid analgesics with a history
of dementia and sleep deprivation
The nurse identifies which as the hallmark findings of
Alzheimer's disease?
Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein.
The nurse is providing education to a family of a patient with
vascular dementia. Which statement indicates
understanding?
"His dementia is related to reduced blood flow from small
strokes."
,The nurse should question which medication order for a
patient with dementia with Lewy bodies?
Haloperidol (Haldol)
The nurse recognizes which symptom as a classic sign of
Dementia with Lewy Bodies?
Visual hallucinations and fluctuating alertness
A client diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia is most
likely to exhibit which behavior?
Disinhibition and inappropriate social behavior
Which finding should alert the nurse to the possibility of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease?
Rapidly progressive cognitive decline with lack of coordination
and visual disturbances.
A patient with normal pressure hydrocephalus exhibits
unsteady gait, urinary incontinence, and confusion. What
treatment should the nurse anticipate?
Surgical shunt placement to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Which factor places a hospitalized client at greatest risk for
delirium?
Multiple medications and sleep deprivation in the intensive care
unit.
The nurse is planning care for a patient with delirium. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
Provide frequent orientation cues and ensure use of glasses or
hearing aids.
A nurse suspects delirium in a patient who is disoriented and
agitated. Which diagnostic test should the nurse review first?
Urinalysis and electrolyte levels (to rule out infection or metabolic
imbalance).
,When caring for a patient with acute delirium, which
medication should be used only if the patient's safety is at
risk?
Low-dose antipsychotic (chemical restraint with caution).
Which outcome best indicates successful treatment of
delirium?
The patient's cognition returns to baseline and they are
discharged to their pre-hospital setting.
Which statement by a nurse demonstrates understanding of
delirium prevention?
"I will encourage mobility, ensure adequate hydration, and
promote sleep."
Which intervention is most important for a patient
experiencing delirium in the hospital?
Identify and treat the underlying cause.
An older adult becomes withdrawn, reports loss of interest in
hobbies, and sleeps excessively. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
Depression.
Why can depression in older adults be mistaken for
dementia?
Both may present with forgetfulness and decreased
concentration.
A nurse is assessing an older adult who has difficulty
remembering new information but can recall long-term
events. What should the nurse do first?
Assess for reversible causes such as medication effects,
dehydration, or infection.
Which nursing action best supports a patient newly
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?
, Encourage independence in daily activities for as long as
possible.
Which of the following is the most common early symptom of
Alzheimer's disease?
Difficulty remembering newly learned information.
Which finding best differentiates Alzheimer's disease from
normal aging?
Inability to retrace steps to find lost objects.
The nurse recognizes which medications are used to slow
cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease?
Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine
(Exelon), and Memantine (Namenda).
A nurse is educating caregivers of a patient with moderate
Alzheimer's. Which instruction is most important?
Maintain a safe environment and prevent wandering or injury.
The nurse notes that an older adult has become increasingly
forgetful, disoriented, and unable to perform ADLs. Which
diagnostic term best describes this condition?
Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia).
Which goal is appropriate for the patient with Alzheimer's
disease?
Maintain functional ability and personal dignity for as long as
possible
A patient with Alzheimer's is becoming increasingly agitated
during evening hours. Which nursing intervention is best?
Provide a calm environment and maintain consistent routines.
The nurse observes a caregiver yelling at a confused
Alzheimer's patient. What is the nurse's priority action?
Ensure the patient's safety and report suspected abuse following
policy
