A nurse in a long-term care facility is providing care for a client who has been receiving donepezil. Which of the following findings indicates that the medication is effective?

Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Its primary therapeutic effect is improving cognitive function, particularly short-term memory and daily cognitive tasks. Independent ADL performance, mood improvement, and increased appetite are not the primary indicators of donepezil's effectiveness, though they may occur as secondary benefits.