Age Specific Considerations in Patient Care Related

Review Age Specific Considerations in Patient Care related questions and content

When the family of a client who has been diagnosed with a dementia secondary to normal pressure hydrocephalus asks the nurse about prognosis, the nurse should reply:

  • A. Unfortunately the prognosis is for a downhill course ending in death.'
  • B. There will be good days and bad days for the rest of the client's life.'
  • C. The symptoms usually remit after a shunt is inserted to drain fluid.'
  • D. We'll try our very best, but only time will tell how successful we are.'
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) symptoms typically improve after a shunt is inserted to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid, leading to a better prognosis. This intervention can help alleviate symptoms such as gait disturbances, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence associated with NPH.

Choice A is incorrect as it inaccurately states that the prognosis is inevitably poor, which is not true for NPH with appropriate treatment. Choice B is incorrect because NPH symptoms can be effectively managed with treatment, so it is not accurate to say that there will always be good and bad days for the rest of the client's life. Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide specific information about the positive impact of shunt insertion on NPH symptoms and prognosis.