Assessment of Dementia in the ED – Post Test

A 70-year-old gentleman who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease asks you which symptoms may affect him. Which of the following are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease?

An unaccompanied, confused patient is brought in by ambulance out of hours, and you are unable to contact any family, or the GP. Physical examination fails to identify any clear cause for the patient’s confusion. Their observations are HR 78 bpm, BP 134/68, RR 16, O2 saturation 98% on air, temperature 37oC. Which combination of investigations best suits the immediate needs of this patient?

You assess a female patient who has been brought in by ambulance from a nursing home. She is accompanied by a carer who explains she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a number of years ago. She has seemed more confused over the last week and has become unmanageable and violent in the last 24 hours. The patient appears agitated and distressed. She is resisting four nursing staff who are struggling to keep her on the hospital trolley and she is trying to punch whoever comes near. Which of the following is the best strategy to safely care for the patient and staff?

A colleague confides in you that he suspects his wife to have dementia as she has recently seemed confused and irrational. She has a significant family history of Alzheimer’s disease and the progression has been gradual over the last few months. He asks you if you can suggest some sources of information where he can find out more about her potential condition. Which of the following is the most appropriate point of contact?

You see a patient with progressive memory problems who may have dementia. You wonder if a clinical cognitive assessment will help you assess the patient further. Which of the following is true of clinical cognitive assessments?

Which of the following risk factors can be modified to reduce the risk of developing dementia?

A wife brings her husband to the ED as she is unable to cope at home. He is known to suffer from dementia. She asks if there is anything she can do to prevent her suffering the same illness. Which of the following can protect against dementia?

A lady diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies presents to the ED having been found on the floor at home. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her collapse?

A 79-year-old lady known to suffer from dementia is brought to the ED from a nursing home because she seems agitated. Which of the following features from the history is not helpful in identifying the cause of her deterioration?

A number of non-pharmacological interventions are used with dementia sufferers. Which of the following have been shown to be beneficial for cognitive impairment?