Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

To assess the effectiveness of nursing interventions for dementia, what should be measured?

1. Frequency of hospital visits

2. Family members’ stress levels

3. Patient return to previous cognitive status

4. Changes in patient medication

The correct answer is: Patient return to previous cognitive status

Measuring the patient’s return to their previous cognitive status is critical in assessing the effectiveness of nursing interventions for dementia. This outcome directly relates to the primary goals of dementia care, which include maintaining or improving cognitive functioning, enhancing the quality of life, and recognizing any shifts in cognitive abilities. If nursing interventions are effective, one would expect to see a stabilization or improvement in cognitive status over time, which can often be determined through standardized cognitive assessments or observations of daily functioning. Although the other options can provide relevant insights into the broader impact of dementia and care strategies, they do not focus on the primary objective of nursing interventions aimed specifically at addressing cognitive decline. For instance, assessing the frequency of hospital visits may indicate health complications but does not directly measure cognitive outcomes related to nursing strategies. Similarly, evaluating family members’ stress levels can help in understanding the caregiving experience, yet it does not reflect the patient’s cognitive status. Finally, tracking changes in patient medication is important for managing symptoms and side effects, but it does not specifically measure the effectiveness of the interventions directed towards cognitive improvement. Thus, the clarity and relevance of measuring cognitive status make it the most appropriate choice in this context.