Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which of the following typically happens in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease?

1. Problems managing personal finances

2. Increased ability to follow instructions

3. Loss of ability to read and write

4. Initiation of family discussions about health care

The correct answer is: Loss of ability to read and write

In the moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease, individuals experience significant cognitive decline that leads to a notable loss of their ability to perform certain tasks. This includes the gradual loss of skills related to reading and writing, which are critical components of communication and self-expression. Individuals may struggle to understand written material, find it challenging to write coherently, or become completely unable to engage in these activities. The deterioration of these skills reflects the progressive nature of the disease during this stage. While problems managing personal finances do occur and initiation of family discussions about health care may also be relevant, these aspects don't capture the specific decline in functional abilities that is characteristic of the moderate stage. A decrease in the ability to follow instructions is typically observed as well, but the complete loss of reading and writing ability is a hallmark of the cognitive decline that defines this stage more accurately.