A 68-year-old female client is brought by her daughter to a health clinic. The daughter states that her mother has been leaving the house lights on and the front door open most of thw time, and forgetting where she placed her keys, or the direction to where she’s driving. On several occasions, she has lost her way while walking in the park, as her usual exercise. She keeps asking the same question and tells the same story repeatedly. She has also lost interest in her usual activities and volunteer work.
The following questions will assist the nursing student in the assessment of this client suspected for Alzheimer’s disease.
1. How will you test the client’s thought content and process?
2. What elements in the orientation test will you include when assessing this client?
3. Describe the types and methods of conducting a memory test.
4. Give common methods of testing the client’s concentration and calculation skill.
5. Describe the conduct of the visual perception and construction ability tests.
6. Give examples of testing the client’s judgment and abstract reasoning.
7. What significant information should be included in a Mini Mental Status Exam of this client?