After change-of-shift report on the Alzheimer's disease/dementia ...

[Bob-Dole]

After change-of-shift report on the Alzheimer's disease/dementia unit, which patient will the nurse assess first?
 
  a. Patient who has not had a bowel movement for 5 days
  b. Patient who has a stage II pressure ulcer on the coccyx
  c. Patient who is refusing to take the prescribed medications
  d. Patient who developed a new cough after eating breakfast

Question 2

After reviewing the health record shown in the accompanying figure for a patient who has multiple risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, which topic will be most important for the nurse to discuss with the patient?
 
  a. Tobacco use
  b. Family history
  c. Head injury history
  d. Total cholesterol level

[tdewitt]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
A new cough after a meal in a patient with dementia suggests possible aspiration and the patient should be assessed immediately. The other patients also require assessment and intervention, but not as urgently as a patient with possible aspiration or pneumonia.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Tobacco use is a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The patient will not be able to modify the increased risk associated with family history of Alzheimer's disease and past head injury. While the total cholesterol is borderline high, the high HDL indicates that no change is needed in cholesterol management.