Comprehensive exams for Mental Health Q 112
In clients with a cognitive impairment disorder, the phenomenon of increased confusion in the early evening hours is called:
A. Aphasia
B. Agnosia
C. Sundowning
D. Confabulation
Correct Answer: C. Sundowning
Sundowning is a common phenomenon that occurs after daylight hours in a client with a cognitive impairment disorder. The term “sundowning” refers to a state of confusion occurring in the late afternoon and spanning into the night. Sundowning can cause a variety of behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression or ignoring directions. Sundowning can also lead to pacing or wandering. The other options are incorrect responses, although all may be seen in this client.
Option A: Aphasia is a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written. Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative). The severity of aphasia depends on a number of conditions, including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.
Option B: Agnosia is a rare disorder whereby a patient is unable to recognize and identify objects, persons, or sounds using one or more of their senses despite otherwise normally functioning senses. The deficit cannot be explained by memory, attention, language problems, or unfamiliarity to the stimuli. Usually, one of the sensory modalities is affected.
Option D: Confabulation is a type of memory error in which gaps in a person’s memory are unconsciously filled with fabricated, misinterpreted, or distorted information. When someone confabulates, they are confusing things they have imagined with real memories. a person who is confabulating is not lying. They are not making a conscious or intentional attempt to deceive. Rather, they are confident in the truth of their memories even when confronted with contradictory evidence.