A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer’s disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason: Altered consciousness (e.g., delirium) involves acute confusion, not typical in Alzheimer’s, a chronic dementia with progressive memory loss. It’s more linked to infections or drugs in the elderly. Alzheimer’s impairs cognition, not alertness, so this isn’t an expected finding. Choice B reason: Excessive motor activity suggests agitation or mania, not core Alzheimer’s, where apathy or slowed movement dominates early. Late-stage restlessness occurs, but it’s not primary. The disease targets memory over hyperactivity, making this uncharacteristic initially. Choice C reason: Failure to recognize familiar objects (agnosia) is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, as neurodegeneration in parietal lobes disrupts perception. This memory and recognition loss defines progression, expected as plaques and tangles impair brain function, making it the correct finding. Choice D reason: Rapid mood swings align with bipolar disorder or BPD, not Alzheimer’s, where mood changes are gradual, like depression from awareness. Emotional lability isn’t a primary feature, so this doesn’t reflect the disease’s typical presentation.