An 82-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital for a urinary tract infection. The nurse notes that the patient is disoriented to time and place, has difficulty focusing, and reports seeing "people in the corner of the room" that are not there. The family states that the patient was acting normally two days ago.
Which of the following best helps the nurse distinguish delirium from dementia?
Delirium has a gradual onset, while dementia begins suddenly.
Delirium is usually reversible, while dementia is progressive and irreversible.
Dementia is always associated with hallucinations, while delirium is not.
Dementia always results in complete loss of memory, while delirium does not affect memory.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Delirium typically has a sudden onset, often over hours or days, while dementia has a gradual, progressive onset over months to years.
B. Delirium is usually acute and reversible, often triggered by underlying medical conditions like infections, while dementia is chronic, progressive, and irreversible.
C. Hallucinations are more common in delirium than in early stages of dementia. Dementia may involve hallucinations in later stages, but they are not a distinguishing feature.
D. Dementia does not always result in complete memory loss, and delirium can also affect attention, memory, and cognition, especially in older adults.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While scabies can occur in individuals with chronic illnesses, it is not limited to this population and can affect people of all ages.
B. Scabies is highly contagious and spreads through close physical contact, such as skin-to-skin contact or sharing bedding and clothing, making this the best and most accurate response.
C. There is no direct link between medications and increased susceptibility to scabies, although immunosuppression may play a role in severe cases.
D. Age-related skin changes do not directly cause scabies; the condition is due to infestation with the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.
Correct Answer is ["C","E"]
Explanation
A. Tumors of the middle earare more likely to cause conductivehearing loss, not sensorineural.
B. Cerumen impactionblocks sound conduction in the external auditory canal and is a cause of conductivehearing loss.
C. Age-related hearing impairment(presbycusis) is a common cause of sensorineuralhearing loss, involving damage to inner ear structures or the auditory nerve.
D. Infections of the external and middle ear(such as otitis media or externa) typically result in conductivehearing loss.
E. Excessive and loud noisecan damage the hair cells in the cochlea, a hallmark of sensorineuralhearing loss.
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