An older adult patient takes multiple medications daily. Over 2 days, the patient developed confusion, slurred speech, an unsteady galt, and fluctuating levels of orientation. These findings are most characteristics of
Amnesiac Syndrome
Alzheimer's Disease
Delirium
Dementia
The Correct Answer is C
A. This involves memory loss due to brain injury or alcohol abuse, not acute fluctuating confusion.
B. Alzheimer’s causes progressive, irreversible memory decline that develops gradually, not suddenly over 2 days.
C. Delirium is characterized by acute onset, fluctuating levels of orientation, confusion, speech changes, and impaired gait, often triggered by medications, infections, or metabolic issues.
D. Dementia develops slowly and progressively, not suddenly like delirium.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This response is confrontational and judgmental, likely causing defensiveness rather than insight.
B. Pointing out defensiveness may provoke resistance rather than helping the patient analyze their behavior objectively.
C. This response encourages the patient to reflect on their own behavior and the consequences of drinking, promoting self-awareness and objective evaluation without judgment. It allows the patient to explore their actions and recognize patterns.
D. This response is accusatory and may make the patient feel blamed, which is not therapeutic.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "My family will be better off without me" is an indirect or covert suicidal statement (passive ideation) that suggests the patient believes others would be better off if they were gone. Such remarks require immediate assessment of suicide risk (ask directly about thoughts, intent, plan, access to means) and appropriate safety interventions.
B. "Life is not worth living" is an explicit expression of hopelessness and indicates suicidal ideation, but it is more overt than covert. It still warrants urgent assessment, but the question asked specifically for the covert message.
C. "I wish I were dead" is a direct statement of suicidal desire (overt) rather than a covert hint.
D. "I have a plan that will fix everything" is the most concerning because it indicates a specific plan (high lethality risk), but it is overt rather than covert.
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