Dementia
Dementia ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is conducting a health history for a client who is suspected of having vascular dementia.
Which of the following factors should the nurse ask about?
(Select all that apply.).
This is correct because hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the risk factors for vascular dementia, as it can damage the small blood vessels in the brain and reduce blood flow. Controlling blood pressure may help lower the chances of developing vascular dementia.
This is wrong because family history of Alzheimer’s disease is not a factor for vascular dementia, but for Alzheimer’s disease, which is a different type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, not by impaired blood flow.
This is correct because transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini-strokes, are another risk factor for vascular dementia, as they can damage brain cells and affect cognition. TIAs are temporary episodes of reduced blood flow to the brain, causing symptoms similar to a stroke but lasting only a few minutes or hours.
This is wrong because exposure to environmental toxins is not a factor for vascular dementia, but for other types of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease dementia. These types of dementia are caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain or nerve cell damage, not by impaired blood flow.
This is correct because diabetes mellitus is another risk factor for vascular dementia, as it can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Controlling blood sugar may help lower the chances of developing vascular dementia.
The correct answer is A, C and E.
These are the factors that the nurse should ask about when suspecting vascular dementia.
Vascular dementia is caused by different conditions that interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen supply to the brain and damage blood vessels in the brain. People with vascular dementia almost always have abnormalities in the brain that can be seen on MRI scans. These abnormalities can include evidence of prior strokes, which are often small and sometimes without noticeable symptoms.
Choice A is correct because hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the risk factors for vascular dementia, as it can damage the small blood vessels in the brain and reduce blood flow. Controlling blood pressure may help lower the chances of developing vascular dementia.
Choice B is wrong because family history of Alzheimer’s disease is not a factor for vascular dementia, but for Alzheimer’s disease, which is a different type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, not by impaired blood flow.
Choice C is correct because transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also known as mini-strokes, are another risk factor for vascular dementia, as they can damage brain cells and affect cognition. TIAs are temporary episodes of reduced blood flow to the brain, causing symptoms similar to a stroke but lasting only a few minutes or hours.
Choice D is wrong because exposure to environmental toxins is not a factor for vascular dementia, but for other types of dementia, such as Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease dementia. These types of dementia are caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain or nerve cell damage, not by impaired blood flow.
Choice E is correct because diabetes mellitus is another risk factor for vascular dementia, as it can damage the blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. Controlling blood sugar may help lower the chances of developing vascular dementia.
Sources:.
: Vascular Dementia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments | National Institute on Aging.
: Vascular dementia - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic.
: causes of vascular dementia - NHS - NHS.
A. History of hypertension B.
Family history of Alzheimer’s disease C.
History of transient ischemic attacks D.
Exposure to environmental toxins E.
History of diabetes mellitus