Cognition

Question 1

What does the learning and memory domain describe?

Answer 1

Processes involved in learning, encoding, and recalling new information, including general and specific knowledge, as well as recent and remote autobiographical events.

Question 2

What is one sign of impairment in the learning and memory domain?

Answer 2

Impaired recall of recent events.

Question 3

Give an example of impaired recall in patients.

Answer 3

Patients cannot remember seeing their doctor earlier in the day.

Question 4

What is another sign of impairment in the learning and memory domain?

Answer 4

Trouble misplacing or losing important personal belongings frequently.

Question 5

What does the executive function domain describe?

Answer 5

All processes involved in planning, decision-making, working memory, and responding to feedback.

Question 6

What are potential difficulties faced by patients with executive function impairment?

Answer 6

Patients may have:
* Difficulties completing multistep tasks
* Difficulties paying bills or managing personal finances
* New difficulties keeping personal spaces organized

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The executive function domain involves _______.

Answer 7

[planning, decision-making, working memory, and responding to feedback]

Question 8

True or False: Executive function impairment can lead to difficulties in organizing personal spaces.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What is an example of a multistep task that may be challenging for someone with executive function impairment?

Answer 9

Preparing complex meals or completing a house project

Question 10

Fill in the blank: Executive function impairment can affect a patient’s ability to manage _______.

Answer 10

[personal finances]

Question 11

What does the complex attention domain describe?

Answer 11

All processes involved in sustained, divided, and selective attention.

This includes the ability to focus on a task while managing distractions and multitasking.

Question 12

What is one difficulty patients may have who are impaired in the complex attention domain?

Answer 12

Maintaining attention span.

For example, the patient may lose track of an active conversation.

Question 13

What is another symptom of impairment in the complex attention domain?

Answer 13

Diminished cognitive processing speed.

This can lead to day-to-day tasks taking longer than usual.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The complex attention domain includes processes involved in _______.

Answer 14

[sustained, divided, and selective attention]

Question 15

What are visuospatial functions?

Answer 15

Processes of using sensory information, like vision, to plan and make a purposeful movement.

Question 16

What difficulties may patients with impaired visuospatial function experience?

Answer 16

• Difficulties with orientation and navigation
• Difficulties gauging depth and distance between objects

Question 17

True or False: Patients with visuospatial impairments may become lost in familiar environments.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Patients with visuospatial impairment may have difficulties gauging _______ and distance between objects.

Answer 18

depth

Question 19

What is an example of a difficulty faced by patients when parking their vehicle due to visuospatial impairment?

Answer 19

New difficulties parking their vehicle.

Question 20

What does the social cognition domain describe?

Answer 20

All processes involved in social behavior

Question 21

Name one form of unwanted behavior in social cognition.

Answer 21

Inability to recognize social cues

Question 22

What is one consequence of impairment in social cognition?

Answer 22

Diminished empathy for others

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Patients may exhibit _______ behaviors due to impairment in social cognition.

Answer 23

socially inappropriate

Question 24

Provide an example of socially inappropriate behavior.

Answer 24

Making offensive comments in public

Question 25

What ability is often impaired in patients with social cognition issues?

Answer 25

Expressing empathy

Question 26

What does it mean to alter behavior in response to feedback?

Answer 26

Changing actions based on social cues or reactions

Question 27

What might a patient with social cognition impairment fail to do regarding facial expressions?

Answer 27

Read facial expressions

Question 28

True or False: Patients with social cognition impairment can still motivate themselves.

Answer 28

False

Question 29

What is one aspect of developing insight that may be affected in social cognition impairment?

Answer 29

Understanding social situations

Question 30

What does the language domain encompass?

Answer 30

Processes involved in object naming, word finding, fluency, grammar and syntax, and receptive language. ## Footnote The language domain is crucial for effective communication and understanding.

Question 31

What difficulties might patients with language domain impairments experience?

Answer 31

Patients may experience: * Difficulties coming up with words in a conversation * Difficulties recognizing or remembering the meaning of common words ## Footnote These challenges can significantly affect social interactions and daily functioning.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: The language domain includes processes such as _______.

Answer 32

[object naming, word finding, fluency, grammar and syntax, receptive language]

Question 33

True or False: Patients with language impairments can easily remember the meanings of common words.

Answer 33

False ## Footnote Language impairments often lead to difficulties in word recognition and meaning.

Question 34

What is age-related decline?

Answer 34

Normal decline in cognitive functions for age ## Footnote This type of decline does not affect daily functioning.

Question 35

Does age-related decline affect daily function?

Answer 35

No ## Footnote It is considered a normal part of aging.

Question 36

What characterizes mild cognitive impairment?

Answer 36

Abnormal decline in cognitive functions for age ## Footnote Individuals may use compensatory strategies to accomplish activities of daily living.

Question 37

Does mild cognitive impairment affect daily function?

Answer 37

No ## Footnote Individuals may still manage daily activities through compensatory strategies.

Question 38

What is dementia?

Answer 38

Abnormal decline in cognitive functions for age ## Footnote This condition significantly impacts daily functioning.

Question 39

Does dementia affect daily function?

Answer 39

Yes ## Footnote Individuals are unable to use compensatory strategies to accomplish activities of daily living.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: _______ is a normal decline in cognitive functions for age.

Answer 40

[Age-related decline]

Question 41

Fill in the blank: _______ is characterized by abnormal decline in cognitive functions for age and may involve compensatory strategies.

Answer 41

[Mild cognitive impairment]

Question 42

Fill in the blank: _______ is an abnormal decline in cognitive functions that impairs daily living activities.

Answer 42

[Dementia]

Question 43

What does age-related cognitive decline suggest?

Answer 43

Normal cognitive changes associated with aging ## Footnote This refers to the gradual decline in cognitive function that can occur as people age.

Question 44

What does abnormal cognitive decline suggest?

Answer 44

Potential cognitive disorders or diseases ## Footnote This can indicate issues beyond normal aging, such as dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Question 45

What memory issue is indicated if a patient cannot remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago?

Answer 45

Long-term memory impairment ## Footnote This suggests difficulties in retaining past information.

Question 46

What does it indicate if a patient cannot recall details of recent events or conversations?

Answer 46

Short-term memory impairment ## Footnote This is a sign of difficulties in processing or storing recent information.

Question 47

What does it imply if a patient cannot remember the name of an acquaintance they don't see frequently?

Answer 47

Possible memory retrieval issues ## Footnote This suggests trouble accessing stored information about less familiar individuals.

Question 48

What does it indicate if a patient cannot remember the names of close family members?

Answer 48

Severe memory impairment ## Footnote This can be a sign of significant cognitive decline or dementia.

Question 49

What does it suggest if a patient forgets things and events occasionally?

Answer 49

Mild cognitive changes or normal forgetfulness ## Footnote Occasional forgetfulness can be typical and not necessarily indicative of a serious issue.

Question 50

What does it indicate if a patient forgets things or events nearly on a daily basis?

Answer 50

Potential cognitive decline ## Footnote Frequent forgetfulness may suggest more serious memory issues that require assessment.

Question 51

What does it imply if a patient occasionally has difficulty finding words?

Answer 51

Mild language processing issues ## Footnote This can indicate early signs of language or cognitive impairment.

Question 52

What does it suggest if a patient frequently pauses and substitutes when finding words?

Answer 52

Significant language difficulties ## Footnote This may indicate more advanced cognitive or language processing issues.

Question 53

What does it mean if a patient is worried about their memory, but their relatives are not?

Answer 53

Patient's self-awareness of cognitive decline ## Footnote This can indicate insight into their cognitive issues that others do not perceive.

Question 54

What does it imply if a patient's relatives are worried about their memory, but the patient is not aware of any problems?

Answer 54

Lack of insight into cognitive decline ## Footnote This can be common in certain cognitive disorders where the individual is unaware of their deficits.

Question 55

Cognitive functions that are generally well preserved through the normal aging process are:

Answer 55

Knowledge (based on experience or education) Long-term memory Focused attention Verbal abilities Problem-solving Social and occupational functioning

Question 56

Cognitive functions that are vulnerable to the decline in aging are (4):

Answer 56

Short-term memory More time and effort to recall new information Decreased efficiency (e.g., divided attention and multitasking) Slower learning speed

Question 57

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Answer 57

Mild cognitive impairment, also known as mild neurocognitive disorder (mild NCD), is when a person shows subjective signs or symptoms of cognitive decline in one or more cognitive domains, and these changes are substantiated by cognitive testing. However, the person has an intact ability to live independently and shows no impairment in social and/or occupational functioning.

Question 58

Dementia is also known as major neurocognitive disorder (major NCD). Persons must exhibit the following three criteria.

Answer 58

1. The person must have an acquired cognitive decline from their prior level of ability in at least one cognitive domain 2.The person must have an acquired decline in function from their prior level of ability in one or more Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). 3.The patient must not have any other medical or psychiatric disorders that may explain their cognitive decline.