1. A 65-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of

Alzheimer's disease. She has difficulty remembering recent events, names

of familiar people, and performing daily activities. The nurse knows that

the most likely cause of Alzheimer's disease is:

a) A deficiency of acetylcholine in the brain

b) An excess of dopamine in the brain

c) A viral infection of the brain

d) A genetic mutation of the amyloid precursor protein

*Answer: a) A deficiency of acetylcholine in the brain*

Rationale: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of the brain that

affects memory, cognition, and behavior. The main pathological feature of

Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of amyloid plaques and

neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which impair the function of neurons

and synapses. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in

memory and learning, and its levels are reduced in Alzheimer's disease

due to the loss of cholinergic neurons.

2. A 45-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife,

who reports that he has been acting strangely for the past week. He has

been talking to himself, laughing inappropriately, and showing signs of

paranoia. He also has a history of alcohol abuse and withdrawal seizures.

The nurse suspects that he may have:

a) Schizophrenia

b) Delirium

c) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

d) Bipolar disorder

*Answer: c) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome*

Rationale: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a neurological disorder

caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which is often associated

with chronic alcoholism. It consists of two syndromes: Wernicke's

encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis. Wernicke's encephalopathy is

characterized by confusion, ataxia, nystagmus, and ophthalmoplegia.

Korsakoff's psychosis is characterized by memory loss, confabulation, and

disorientation. The symptoms may overlap or occur separately.

3. A 55-year-old man is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive

disorder of the basal ganglia that affects movement, posture, and balance