Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

As dementia progresses, patients may experience difficulty with which of the following?

1. Memory retention

2. Motor function execution

3. Language comprehension

4. Emotional responses

The correct answer is: Motor function execution

As dementia progresses, patients often encounter significant challenges with motor function execution. This difficulty can be attributed to the degeneration of neural pathways that control not only cognitive functions but also physical coordination and motor skills. The brain areas responsible for planning and executing movements may become affected, leading to problems with tasks requiring fine and gross motor skills. While memory retention, language comprehension, and emotional responses are indeed affected by dementia, particularly due to cognitive decline and the brain's altering structure, the emphasis on motor function execution highlights a critical aspect of dementia that is sometimes underestimated. Patients may struggle with coordination and performing daily activities, which can further diminish their independence and quality of life. Hence, understanding the varied manifestations of dementia is essential for a comprehensive approach to patient care.