More questions on the topic
More questions on the topic ( 39 Questions)
A nurse is performing a mental status examination on an older adult client who has delirium.
Which of the following tools can the nurse use to assess the client’s attention span and concentration?
This is wrong because the MMSE is not a specific tool for attention span and concentration, but rather a general screening tool for cognitive impairment.
This is wrong because the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a tool that can be used to diagnose delirium, but not to assess attention span and concentration.
The CAM focuses on four features of delirium: acute onset and fluctuating course, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness (Inouye et al., 1990).
This is wrong because the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a tool that can be used to assess visuospatial skills and executive function, but not attention span and concentration.
The CDT requires the client to draw a clock face with numbers and hands indicating a specific time (Shulman et al., 1986).
The DST is a tool that can be used to assess the client’s attention span and concentration by asking them to repeat a series of digits forward and backward (Martin, 1990).
The DST is part of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which is a broader tool that covers other domains of cognitive functioning, such as orientation, memory, language, and visuospatial skills (Folstein et al., 1975).
The correct answer is D.
Digit Span Test (DST).
The DST is a tool that can be used to assess the client’s attention span and concentration by asking them to repeat a series of digits forward and backward (Martin, 1990).
The DST is part of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), which is a broader tool that covers other domains of cognitive functioning, such as orientation, memory, language, and visuospatial skills (Folstein et al., 1975).
Choice A is wrong because the MMSE is not a specific tool for attention span and concentration, but rather a general screening tool for cognitive impairment.
Choice B is wrong because the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a tool that can be used to diagnose delirium, but not to assess attention span and concentration.
The CAM focuses on four features of delirium: acute onset and fluctuating course, inattention, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness (Inouye et al., 1990).
Choice C is wrong because the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a tool that can be used to assess visuospatial skills and executive function, but not attention span and concentration.
The CDT requires the client to draw a clock face with numbers and hands indicating a specific time (Shulman et al., 1986).
Normal ranges for the DST vary depending on the age and education level of the client, but generally a score of 5 or more digits forward and 4 or more digits backward is considered normal (Martin, 1990).