A 72-year-old female patient is brought to the clinic by the patient's spouse, who reports that she is unable to solve common problems around the house
To obtain information about the patient's current mental status, which question should the nurse ask the patient?
a. "Are you sad?"
b. "How is your self-image?"
c. "Where were you were born?"
d. "What did you eat for breakfast?"
ANS: D
This question tests the patient's short-term memory, which is decreased in the mild stage of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Asking the patient about her birthplace tests for remote memory, which is intact in the early stages. Questions about the patient's emotions and self-image are helpful in assessing emotional status, but they are not as helpful in assessing mental state.
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