1
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CASE STUDY
ANALYSIS 2026 JUST RELEASED
PRELIM REQUIREMENT FOR
NCM 31114L: CARE OF OLDER ADULT – RLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
, 2
II. Demographic Data
III. Reason for Seeking Care or Chief Complaints
IV. History of Present Illness
V. Past Medical History
VI. Family History
VII. Functional Assessment
VIII. Review of System
IX. Anatomy and Physiology
X. Pathophysiology
XI. Examination findings
XII. Drug Study
XIII. Nursing Care Plan
INTRODUCTION
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and form
of dementia mainly affecting the parts of the brain that are responsible for
thought, memory, and language, leading to manifestations such as memory
loss, impaired movement, and unpredictable behavior, affecting an
,3
individual’s ability to perform basic activities. Common in older adults,
Alzheimer’s disease makes up approximately 60-80% of dementia cases.
Some risk factors include age (those aged 65 years and above are
particularly susceptible), hypertension, obesity, family history of Alzheimer’s,
and other genetic factors. While early-onset Alzheimer’s may occur between
ages 30-60, it is very rare.
Despite its common association with age, it is not a normal part of aging. In
a healthy individual, the neurons in the brain transmit signals between its
different parts and to the muscles and organs through connections, forming
networks. These cells are responsible for how an individual learns,
remembers, and perceives the environment around them. However, in a
patient with Alzheimer’s, the neurons die out and there is a severe loss of
connections between these neurons, affecting parts of the brain and
preventing them from functioning normally or at all.
The clinical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease may vary wildly from
person to person, but the most common symptoms are cognitive
impairment, vision/spatial issues, memory loss, difficulty in language
processing, and impaired physical mobility. These symptoms gradually
worsen over time. In its first years, the patient may suffer from mild memory
loss, but late-stage patients may suffer from difficulty of communication and
balance and coordination issues. It is currently the sixth leading cause of
death in the US, and the third leading cause specifically for the elderly.
There is no complete cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but several medicines
have been approved to help treat the condition. Aducanumab is a disease-
modifying medication that helps reduce amyloid plaques, or brain lesions
associated with the condition. However, research is still undergoing to create
and improve existing medicinal treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Demographic Data
The patient is an 87-year-old female. She is a retired English teacher of 41 years
and a semi-professional piano player.
Reason for Seeking Care / Chief Complaint
, 4
The nursing staff at the retirement home the patient currently resides in have
reported a noticeable decline in her cognitive function involving short-term memory
deficit, confusion, recurrent irritability, and paranoia. Mrs. G underwent a
physiotherapy assessment one month ago, and she expressed difficulties playing
the piano due to deficits in her upper extremity fine motor skills, as well as an
occasional loss of balance when walking.
History of Present Illness
Mrs. G presents with a two-year history of Alzheimer’s Disease. She is relatively
healthy and active, despite suffering from both hypertension and osteoporosis.
Past Medical History
Mrs. G has previously gone a bilateral knee surgery for meniscal repair six years
ago. She has a history of hypertension and osteoporosis, and used to be a smoker
(8 years) but currently does not consume alcohol.
Family History
Mrs. G is a widow who currently lives alone in a retirement home apartment. Her
mother passed away at 98-years-old due to Alzheimer’s disease. Her father’s side
has a history of cardiovascular disease.
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT
A. Health Perception/ Health Maintenance
As noted by the nursing staff at the retirement home, the client had significant
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CASE STUDY
ANALYSIS 2026 JUST RELEASED
PRELIM REQUIREMENT FOR
NCM 31114L: CARE OF OLDER ADULT – RLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
, 2
II. Demographic Data
III. Reason for Seeking Care or Chief Complaints
IV. History of Present Illness
V. Past Medical History
VI. Family History
VII. Functional Assessment
VIII. Review of System
IX. Anatomy and Physiology
X. Pathophysiology
XI. Examination findings
XII. Drug Study
XIII. Nursing Care Plan
INTRODUCTION
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and form
of dementia mainly affecting the parts of the brain that are responsible for
thought, memory, and language, leading to manifestations such as memory
loss, impaired movement, and unpredictable behavior, affecting an
,3
individual’s ability to perform basic activities. Common in older adults,
Alzheimer’s disease makes up approximately 60-80% of dementia cases.
Some risk factors include age (those aged 65 years and above are
particularly susceptible), hypertension, obesity, family history of Alzheimer’s,
and other genetic factors. While early-onset Alzheimer’s may occur between
ages 30-60, it is very rare.
Despite its common association with age, it is not a normal part of aging. In
a healthy individual, the neurons in the brain transmit signals between its
different parts and to the muscles and organs through connections, forming
networks. These cells are responsible for how an individual learns,
remembers, and perceives the environment around them. However, in a
patient with Alzheimer’s, the neurons die out and there is a severe loss of
connections between these neurons, affecting parts of the brain and
preventing them from functioning normally or at all.
The clinical manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease may vary wildly from
person to person, but the most common symptoms are cognitive
impairment, vision/spatial issues, memory loss, difficulty in language
processing, and impaired physical mobility. These symptoms gradually
worsen over time. In its first years, the patient may suffer from mild memory
loss, but late-stage patients may suffer from difficulty of communication and
balance and coordination issues. It is currently the sixth leading cause of
death in the US, and the third leading cause specifically for the elderly.
There is no complete cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but several medicines
have been approved to help treat the condition. Aducanumab is a disease-
modifying medication that helps reduce amyloid plaques, or brain lesions
associated with the condition. However, research is still undergoing to create
and improve existing medicinal treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Demographic Data
The patient is an 87-year-old female. She is a retired English teacher of 41 years
and a semi-professional piano player.
Reason for Seeking Care / Chief Complaint
, 4
The nursing staff at the retirement home the patient currently resides in have
reported a noticeable decline in her cognitive function involving short-term memory
deficit, confusion, recurrent irritability, and paranoia. Mrs. G underwent a
physiotherapy assessment one month ago, and she expressed difficulties playing
the piano due to deficits in her upper extremity fine motor skills, as well as an
occasional loss of balance when walking.
History of Present Illness
Mrs. G presents with a two-year history of Alzheimer’s Disease. She is relatively
healthy and active, despite suffering from both hypertension and osteoporosis.
Past Medical History
Mrs. G has previously gone a bilateral knee surgery for meniscal repair six years
ago. She has a history of hypertension and osteoporosis, and used to be a smoker
(8 years) but currently does not consume alcohol.
Family History
Mrs. G is a widow who currently lives alone in a retirement home apartment. Her
mother passed away at 98-years-old due to Alzheimer’s disease. Her father’s side
has a history of cardiovascular disease.
FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT
A. Health Perception/ Health Maintenance
As noted by the nursing staff at the retirement home, the client had significant
