A nurse is collecting a health history on a client who has a diagnosis of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The nurse recognizes that which of the following is an expected history associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?

Choice A rationale:

Misplacing car keys is a common occurrence in many people's lives and is not necessarily indicative of Alzheimer's disease. It can happen to anyone due to various factors like stress or distraction.

Choice B rationale:

Difficulty performing familiar tasks is a potential early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. This can include tasks that the person previously did with ease, such as cooking or dressing themselves. Alzheimer's disease affects cognitive abilities, including the ability to perform familiar tasks.

Choice C rationale:

Losing sense of time is another potential early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. People with Alzheimer's may lose track of days or seasons, as the disease impacts their sense of time and memory.

Choice D rationale:

Problems with performing basic calculations can be a sign of cognitive decline, but it is not one of the primary early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. This choice is less specific to Alzheimer's and could be related to other cognitive disorders as well.

Choice E rationale:

Becoming lost in a usually familiar environment is a significant early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with Alzheimer's may become disoriented even in places they know well, leading to confusion and anxiety. This is a result of the disease affecting their spatial memory and navigation skills.

The correct answer is choice B: "I am powerless against my addiction to alcohol."

Choice B rationale:

This statement reflects an understanding of one of the fundamental principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is the acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol. The concept of powerlessness is a cornerstone of the 12-step program and encourages individuals to recognize that attempting to control their addiction often leads to negative consequences. This admission is crucial for clients in recovery, as it opens the door to seeking support and relying on the fellowship and guidance of AA.

Choice A rationale:

While identifying triggers for alcoholism is important, this statement does not directly capture the essence of AA's principle. The focus on identifying causes does not fully encompass the concept of powerlessness over the addiction.

Choice C rationale:

Responsibility for one's alcoholism is not a core principle of AA. Instead, the program encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and their commitment to recovery, but not for causing their addiction in the first place.

Choice D rationale:

AA is a peer support program that emphasizes personal responsibility and self-accountability. While counseling might be beneficial, the statement implies external responsibility for recovery, which contradicts the self-help nature of AA.