A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease (AD). The client's family asks the nurse about the cause and progression of the disease. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Choice A reason:

This is a correct answer. The nurse should explain to the client's family that AD is caused by a buildup of abnormal protein deposits called amyloid plaques and twisted fibers called neurofibrillary tangles in the brain that impair nerve function and communication. These changes lead to progressive loss of memory, language, reasoning, judgment, and other cognitive abilities.

Choice B reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client's family that AD is caused by a deficiency of dopamine in the brain that affects movement and cognition. This is not the cause of AD, but rather Parkinson's disease (PD), which is another neurodegenerative disorder that affects the basal ganglia and causes tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

Choice C reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client's family that AD is caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin sheath of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This is not the cause of AD, but rather multiple sclerosis (MS), which is another neurodegenerative disorder that causes demyelination and inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) and leads to sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments.

Choice D reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not tell the client's family that AD is caused by a viral infection that destroys the neurons in the brain and causes inflammation and swelling. This is not the cause of AD, but rather encephalitis, which is an acute inflammatory condition of the brain that can be caused by various viruses or bacteria and can result in neurological deficits or death.

Choice A reason:

This is a correct answer. Resting tremor is a common symptom of PD, which occurs when the affected limb or body part shakes involuntarily at rest and stops with voluntary movement or sleep. Resting tremor usually affects one side of the body first and then progresses to both sides. It typically involves the hand, arm, leg, jaw, or tongue.

Choice B reason:

This is a correct answer. Muscle rigidity is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is increased resistance to passive movement of the joints due to sustained muscle contraction. Muscle rigidity can cause stiffness, pain, reduced range of motion, and difficulty initiating movement.

Choice C reason:

This is a correct answer. Bradykinesia is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is slowness or paucity of movement due to impaired initiation or execution of movement. Bradykinesia can affect various aspects of motor function, such as facial expression, speech, swallowing, gait, writing, dressing, and self-care.

Choice D reason:

This is a correct answer. Postural instability is another common symptom of PD, which occurs when there is impaired balance or coordination due to reduced postural reflexes or sensory feedback. Postural instability can cause falls, difficulty turning or changing direction, stooped posture, shuffling steps, or freezing episodes.

Choice E reason:

This is an incorrect answer. Nuchal rigidity is not a common symptom of PD, but rather a sign of meningitis or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Nuchal rigidity occurs when there is stiffness or pain in the neck when flexing or extending it due to inflammation or irritation of the meninges or subarachnoid space.