A client with dementia is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). Which ...

[sheilaspns]

A client with dementia is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). Which should the nurse consider when teaching this client about the medication?
 
  A) Donepezil shortens the early stages of Alzheimer disease.
  B) Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor and has been known to have positive effects when used in the early stage of Alzheimer disease.
  C) Donepezil is an anticholinergic and has been known to eradicate some of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease.
  D) Donepezil should be taken on an empty stomach.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching the family of a client who has just been diagnosed with dementia. The family asks what treatments are available that will cure the client. What would be the nurse's best response to the family?
 
  A) There are no treatments that will cure dementia.
  B) Treatments to cure dementia include the use of vitamin E.
  C) Treatments to cure dementia involve hormone replacement therapy.
  D) Treatments to cure dementia include the daily use of ginkgo biloba.

[samiel-sayed]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: B

The cholinesterase inhibitor medications, such as donepezil and galantamine, have produced positive effects when used in the early stages of Alzheimer disease. Symptoms are not eradicated but progression is slowed, and the length of the early stage is extended. These medications should be taken on a full stomach, and antiemetic medications may also be needed.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: A

Currently no treatment has been found to reverse or stop the pathological process in progressive dementia. Studies done on the effect of estrogen in postmenopausal women, vitamin E, and ginkgo biloba extract have shown some positive results in delaying the progress, but nothing has proved conclusively to reverse or stop progressive dementia.

[sheilaspns]

TYSM

[mjenn52]

Excellent