The geriatrician has begun an 80-year-old female client on donepezil (Aricept) in order to treat her dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). Which of the following teaching points should the nurse provide to the client's husband about her new medication?

Question

A) "Aricept won't cure your wife's dementia of Alzheimer's type, but it has the potential to slow down the progression of the disease."
B) "It's important to closely follow the administration schedule for this drug if it is to make your wife recover."
C) "This won't result in any improvements to her symptoms of dementia of Alzheimer's type, but it will make her much more compliant and easier to manage."
D) "Aricept will help your wife sleep much better at night and stay awake during the day."

Answer 1

Ans: A
Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil (Aricept) cannot cure DAT, but they can slow the progression of the disease and can stabilize symptoms. The drug does not directly affect sleep patterns.