Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What should be documented if a client with dementia cannot recognize eating utensils and requires assistance to eat?

1. Amnesia

2. Agnosia

3. Apraxia

4. Aphasia

The correct answer is: Agnosia

The correct choice, agnosia, refers to a condition where a person is unable to recognize or identify objects, even though their basic senses are functioning properly. In the context of a client with dementia who cannot recognize eating utensils, this indicates that the individual is experiencing a loss of the ability to interpret sensory information related to these objects. Agnosia can significantly impact a person's daily functioning, particularly in tasks that require recognition and utilization of familiar items, such as utensils while eating. Understanding this condition is important because it highlights the specific cognitive deficits that can arise with dementia. Recognizing and documenting agnosia in such a client can guide future care and interventions, ensuring that appropriate support is provided to help them eat and maintain their nutritional intake, thus addressing their overall well-being.