The nurse is performing a mental status examination when caring for a patient with a neurocognitive disorder (NCD). The patient's spouse asks why a mental status examination is necessary. How will the nurse respond?
1. "The mental status exam is the only way to assess the cognitive decline of a patient with early stage Alzheimer disease."
2. "The mental status exam is used to assess depression in a patient with early stage Alzheimer disease."
3. "The mental status exam will reveal slow and progressive cognitive decline of a patient with early stage Alzheimer disease."
4. "The status exam will reveal rapid and dramatic changes in cognition of a patient with early stage Alzheimer disease."
Answer: 3
Explanation: Psychological assessment of the individual with NCDs focuses on cognitive changes revealed through the mental status examination, as well as the resulting behavioral manifestations. In the patient with dementia, a mental status examination may not initially reveal a cognitive deficit, but will show a slow but progressive change if administered at given intervals over time. The mental status examination is not the only way to assess the cognitive decline of a patient with early stage Alzheimer disease; rather, the patient's family is often who notices the cognitive decline first. The nurse will often use the family member's assessment of the patient's cognition, and use this information to further assess the patient's mental state. Rapid and dramatic changes to a mental status exam, often indicates delirium, not dementia. Mental status examinations are not used to assess for depression.
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