A woman in her fifties has contacted her care provider because of ...

[nenivikky]

A woman in her fifties has contacted her care provider because of concerns for her husband, who has suddenly begun behaving uncharacteristicall y in recent days.
 
  Most recently, he became lost while driving to his home of 30 years and temporarily forgot his son's name. Diagnostic testing has ruled out delirium and he had been previously healthy. What is the most likely cause of the husband's cognitive changes?
 
  A) Dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT)
  B) Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
  C) Vascular dementia
  D) Wernicke's encephalopathy

Question 2

A nurse is providing care for a client whose recent cognitive and behavioral changes have been attributed to dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
 
  The nurse understands that the organic brain changes accompanying this disease result in alterations in the normal action of which neurotransmitters?
 
  A) Acetylcholine and dopamine
  B) Serotonin and GABA
  C) Histamine and norepinephrine
  D) Glutamate and cholecystokinin

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Answer to Question 1

Ans: C
The onset of vascular dementia is usually earlier than that of DAT and DLB. Onset is generally abrupt, with fluctuating, rapid changes in memory and other cognitive impairment.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
DLB is caused by neurohistologic changes in the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain. Their presence in the brain disrupts the brain's normal functioning, interrupting the action of important chemical messengers, including acetylcholine and dopamine.