A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.

The nurse suspects that the client has developed delirium based on which of the following findings?

The correct answer is B.

The client has a decreased level of consciousness and is difficult to arouse.

This is a sign of delirium, which is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects attention and awareness.

Delirium is often caused by a combination of factors, such as infection, medication, surgery or dehydration.

Delirium is more common in older adults, especially those with dementia or other chronic conditions.

Choice A is wrong because difficulty remembering recent events and conversations is more likely a sign of dementia, which is a slow and progressive decline in memory and other thinking skills.

Dementia can also increase the risk of delirium, but it is not the same condition.

Choice C is wrong because having a history of Alzheimer’s disease and taking donepezil daily does not necessarily mean that the client has delirium.

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, language and behavior.

Donepezil is a medication that can help improve cognitive function in some people with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, neither Alzheimer’s disease nor donepezil can cause delirium by themselves.

Choice D is wrong because having a normal blood pressure and pulse rate does not rule out delirium.

Delirium can affect people with normal vital signs, as well as those with abnormal ones.

Delirium is more related to brain function than to cardiovascular function.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mmHg for systolic/diastolic pressure, and for pulse rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute.

However, these ranges may vary depending on age, health status and other factors.

The correct answer is B.

Delirium is a reversible condition that can be cured with proper treatment.

Delirium is a serious change in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and a lack of awareness of one’s surroundings.It usually comes on fast and can be caused by various factors, such as infection, medication, surgery, or alcohol or drug use or withdrawal.Delirium can often be prevented and treated by addressing the underlying causes and providing supportive care.

Choice A is wrong because delirium is not a chronic condition that causes progressive cognitive decline.

That description fits dementia, which is different from delirium.Dementia is a gradual loss of memory and other thinking skills due to damage or loss of brain cells.

Choice C is wrong because delirium is not a normal part of aging that does not require any intervention.

Delirium is a medical emergency that needs prompt attention and treatment.Delirium can have serious consequences, such as functional decline, institutionalization, and death.

Choice D is wrong because delirium is not a genetic condition that runs in families.Delirium is not inherited, but rather triggered by environmental factors or medical conditions that affect the brain.

Normal ranges for mental status assessment in older adults are based on standardized tools, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

These tools measure various aspects of cognition, such as orientation, memory, attention, language, and executive function.

The MMSE has a maximum score of 30, and the MoCA has a maximum score of 26.

A score below 24 on the MMSE or below 18 on the MoCA may indicate cognitive impairment.

However, these tools are not diagnostic of delirium or dementia, and should be interpreted in the context of the patient’s history and clinical presentation.