A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Memory loss disrupting ADLs is a dementia hallmark, as progressive neuronal death impairs recall and function. Scientifically, this defines dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s), distinguishing it from acute states, aligning with chronic cognitive decline impacting daily life per neurological evidence.Choice B reason: Acute confusion is delirium, not dementia, which develops gradually. Scientifically, dementia’s insidious onset contrasts with delirium’s rapid shift, driven by reversible causes (e.g., infection), making this uncharacteristic of dementia’s chronic progression.Choice C reason: Illusions (misinterpretations) may occur in dementia but aren’t defining; memory loss is core Jr.. Scientifically, perceptual errors are secondary to cognitive decay, not a primary expectation, as dementia targets memory over sensory processing initially.Choice D reason: Catatonia, motor immobility, is tied to psychiatric or neurological crises, not dementia. Scientifically, dementia affects cognition, not movement primarily, making this rare and untypical compared to memory-driven functional loss in its pathology.