Assessment, Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Management of the Depression, Dementia and Delirium in Geriatric Patients

~ Exam ~

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This test has 16 questions.

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1. The rate of suicide is highest in individuals 65 years of age and older.
  a. True
  b. False
2. Major side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac include:
  a. weight loss, fever
  b. increased sexual drive, rash
  c. apathy, headache
  d. nausea/vomiting, anxorexia

3. When interviewing geriatric patients experiencing depression, the nurse should ask about the following:
  a. family supports
  b. social activities
  c. life changes
  d. all of the above

4. Most geriatric patients with dementia are not depressed.
  a. True
  b. False
5. Why are second generation medications for dementia such as Risperdal or Zyprexa used instead of other medications?
  a. They are better tolerated.
  b. They improve cognitive function.
  c. They decrease depression and suicide.
  d. All of the above.

6. What is the basic priniciple for pharmacotherapy in the geriatric population?
  a. Monotherapy is better than polytherapy.
  b. Bring the chemical imbalance back into balance.
  c. Side effects need to be kept to a minimum.
  d. medications that target improved cognitive function.

7. Which of the following statements is true about neurotransmitters?
  a. Too much dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine results in depression.
  b. Too little dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine results in anxiety.
  c. Too much acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and GABA results in aggression.
  d. Too little serotonin results in sexual dysfunction.

8. The symptom presentation of depression in the elderly may include:
  a. irritability
  b. increased somatic complaints
  c. decreased appetite and weight loss
  d. psychomotor disturbance
  e. all of the above

9. The choice of an antidepressant should include consideration of
  a. desirable and undesirable side effects
  b. prior response
  c. concurrent nonpsychiatric medical illnesses
  d. concomitant use of other medications
  e. all of the above

10. A taper to prevent discontinuation syndrome is least important in which antidepressant due to its long half life:
  a. Paxil (Paroxetine)
  b. Prozac (fluoxetine)
  c. Effexor (venlafaxine)
  d. Celexa (citalopram)
  e. Zoloft (Sertraline)

11. Which of the following is not true about delirium?
  a. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) may be helpful in identifying delirium.
  b. Delirium is a medical emergency.
  c. I WATCH DEATH is a mnemonic for possible causes of delirium.
  d. All individuals with delirium have psychomotor agitation.
  e. Pneumonia and urinary tract infection are 2 of the most common infections causing delirium in the elderly.

12. A common adverse side effect of the cholinesterase inhibitors is constipation.
  a. True
  b. False
13. The most common type of dementia is:
  a. Alzheimer’s

  b. Vascular
  c. Frontal-Temporal
  d. Pick’s

14. Common symptoms in the later stages of dementia include:
  a. Depression
  b. Wandering
  c. Restlessness
  d. B and C only

15. Depression in the geriatric patient can be safely managed with pharmacotherapy.
  a. True
  b. False
16. Normal pressure hydrocephalus may be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s.
  a. True
  b. False