A 67-year-old man on a geriatric inpatient unit with no high school education scored 30 on the St. Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS). What does this score indicate?
Mild dementia
Moderate dementia
Severe dementia
Normal mental function
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Mild dementia corresponds to lower SLUMS scores; a score of 30 is higher than the cutoff for mild impairment.
Choice B reason: Moderate dementia would present with a substantially lower SLUMS score.
Choice C reason: Severe dementia is associated with very low SLUMS scores well below 20.
Choice D reason: A SLUMS score of 30 indicates normal cognitive function, even considering lower education level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, not just hypomania, making this inconsistent with the presentation.
Choice B reason: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode without a history of full mania, matching the client’s symptoms.
Choice C reason: Cyclothymic disorder involves chronic, milder mood fluctuations but does not meet criteria for full hypomanic or major depressive episodes.
Choice D reason: Schizoaffective disorder includes mood episodes along with psychotic symptoms, which are not reported in this client’s history.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Neurosyphilis can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms but typically presents with a broader spectrum including sensory deficits and gait disturbances.
Choice B reason: Kuru is a prion disease historically seen in Papua New Guinea with tremors and ataxia, not a common diagnosis elsewhere.
Choice C reason: Huntington’s disease presents with movement disorders (chorea), cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms such as depression, often in midlife.
Choice D reason: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder may cause cognitive deficits but motor abnormalities are less specific and occur later in disease progression.
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