An older adult client comes into the clinic for a pneumonia vaccine. During the client interview, the client seems to have mild difficulty with several words and has problems remembering the nurse's name
The client is alert and oriented to time, person, and place and most responses seem appropriate. How should the nurse describe this client's cognitive changes?
A) Memory impairment that may be related to cerebral ischemia
B) Normal signs of aging
C) Indicators of depression in the elderly
D) Early symptoms of dementia
Answer: B
Cognitive changes vary widely in older adults; however, most older people will not suffer significant memory impairment. Many may experience mild problems with word finding and remembering names. The changes described for this client are normal signs of aging and not symptoms of dementia, depression, or ischemia. Dementia may present with additional symptoms of memory loss related to orientation and completing day-to-day tasks. Depression would show signs of flat affect, or withdrawal, and ischemia may show additional neurological deficits.
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