A nurse is educating a client who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregiver about the medication donepezil. The client asks the nurse, "How will this medication help me?" How should the nurse respond?

Choice A reason:

This is a correct answer. The nurse should advise the client and their caregiver to maintain a consistent daily routine and environment, as this can help reduce anxiety, agitation, or disorientation in clients who have AD. AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, language, reasoning, judgment, and other cognitive abilities. Maintaining a consistent daily routine and environment can provide structure, familiarity, and security for the client.

Choice B reason:

This is a correct answer. The nurse should advise the client and their caregiver to use memory aids such as calendars, clocks, or lists, as this can help enhance memory and orientation in clients who have AD. Memory aids can provide cues or reminders for the client about important information such as dates, events, tasks, or names.

Choice C reason:

This is a correct answer. The nurse should advise the client and their caregiver to engage in physical and mental activities that are enjoyable and stimulating, as this can help preserve cognitive function and well-being in clients who have AD. Physical and mental activities can improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, stimulate neural connections, enhance mood and self-esteem, and prevent boredom and depression.

Choice D reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not advise the client and their caregiver to avoid social interactions that may cause stress or confusion, as this can have negative effects on cognitive function and well-being in clients who have AD. Social interactions can provide emotional support, companionship, communication skills, and cognitive stimulation for the client. The nurse should encourage the client and their caregiver to maintain social contacts and participate in activities that are appropriate for the client's level of functioning and interest.

Choice E reason:

This is an incorrect answer. The nurse should not advise the client and their caregiver to limit fluid intake and caffeine consumption, as this can have negative effects on cognitive function and well-being in clients who have AD. Fluid intake and caffeine consumption are not directly related to the cause or progression of AD, and limiting them can cause dehydration, constipation, or headaches. The nurse should advise the client and their caregiver to ensure adequate hydration and nutrition for the client and avoid substances that may interfere with sleep quality or medication effectiveness, such as alcohol or nicotine.

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.