Author Question: While assessing the cognitive status of a school-age child, the nurse notes that the child was ... (Read 80 times)

jrubin · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

While assessing the cognitive status of a school-age child, the nurse notes that the child was unable to perform division problems and unable to name several former presidents of the United States.

Prior to determining that this client has cognitive issues, what should the nurse keep in mind?
A) The child's developmental level
B) The child's home environment
C) The child's nutritional status
D) The parent's participation in the child's cognitive development

Question 2

A client is admitted with signs and symptoms of early Alzheimer disease. What would be used to confirm this client's diagnosis?

A) Abnormal CT scan findings of neuritic plaques and tangles in the brain
B) Client history and physical examination
C) Positive blood tests for beta-amyloid and tau proteins
D) Blood test for amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

1_Step_At_ATime · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: A

The nurse must consider a pediatric client's level of cognitive development before asking questions that involve calculation, judgment, or abstract thought. Even children with normal cognition will be unable to respond appropriately if they have not yet achieved the level of development necessary for these activities. The child's home environment, nutrition, and parental involvement in cognitive development will not explain why the child is unable to correctly respond to questions having to do with complicated math or history.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: B

The diagnosis of Alzheimer disease is based on the client history and physical examination. There is currently is no one test or procedure that makes the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. Changes in the brain with Alzheimer disease include neuritic plaques containing beta-amyloid protein and neurofibrillary tangles containing tau protein, but these changes are found at autopsy, not by a CT scan or blood test.