Contemporary Issues in Nursing Related

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An older adult woman who stops using complementary alternative medicine (CAM) becomes disoriented and is given a diagnosis of dementiThe family is upset with the family physician and the CAM practitioner for not diagnosing the condition earlier. Which CAM may have interfered with early detection of the dementia?

  • A. Large doses of calcium caused cerebral plaques to form, thereby disguising atrophy of the brain.
  • B. Excess doses of folic acid masked a vitamin B deficiency that led to dementia.
  • C. Hypnotherapy focused on current pleasant thoughts, eliminating clues to the past.
  • D. The electrical current from magnetic fields interfered with normal brain waves, resulting in confusion and inability to concentrate.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because large doses of calcium causing cerebral plaques to form can potentially mask the atrophy of the brain, which is a common indicator of dementia on imaging studies. This interference could delay the detection of dementia.

Choice B is incorrect because excess folic acid would not mask a vitamin B deficiency that could lead to dementia. Choice C is incorrect as hypnotherapy focusing on current thoughts would not necessarily eliminate clues to past cognitive decline. Choice D is incorrect because there is no evidence that the electrical current from magnetic fields interferes with normal brain waves in a way that would cause confusion and inability to concentrate.