When asked about the prognosis for a patient diagnosed with a dementia secondary to normal pressure hydrocephalus the nurse replies:

a. "Unfortunately the prognosis is for a downhill course ending in death."
b. "There will be good days and bad days for the rest of the patient's life."
c. "The symptoms generally remit after a shunt is inserted to drain fluid."
d. "We'll try our very best, but only time will tell how successful we are."


ANS: C
By relieving the cause, the symptoms of secondary dementias are largely reversible. The statements reflected in the other options do not reflect this fact.

Nursing

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