Which class of medications are given to liquefy secretions and make them easier to expel?

Choice A reason: Stopping speech entirely suggests advanced Alzheimer’s or aphasia, not mild, where memory and task performance decline first, not communication fully.

Choice B reason: Difficulty with toothbrush and comb indicates moderate Alzheimer’s, where motor apraxia emerges, beyond mild stage’s primary memory issues.

Choice C reason: Forgetfulness and slower task completion reflect mild Alzheimer’s early memory loss and executive dysfunction, impairing planning, consistent with initial stages.

Choice D reason: Bladder and bowel incontinence occur in late Alzheimer’s from severe brain damage, not mild, where cognitive, not physical, decline predominates.

Choice A reason: Myxedema, severe hypothyroidism, slows metabolism, reducing cardiac output and causing fluid retention in tissues, leading to non-pitting leg edema from glycosaminoglycan deposits and poor circulation.

Choice B reason: Heat intolerance occurs in hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolism raising body temperature. Myxedema causes cold intolerance from slowed metabolism, making this finding unlikely.

Choice C reason: Tachycardia is a hyperthyroid symptom from excess thyroid hormone speeding heart rate. Myxedema leads to bradycardia as metabolism and cardiac activity decrease significantly.

Choice D reason: Diarrhea aligns with hyperthyroidism’s accelerated gut motility. Myxedema causes constipation from slowed metabolism reducing peristalsis, so diarrhea contradicts this condition’s physiology.