Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What should the nurse assess for in an elderly client who presents with symptoms of tremors, depression, and confusion?

1. Alzheimer's disease

2. Drug withdrawal

3. Poisoning by Mercury

4. Stroke symptoms

The correct answer is: Poisoning by Mercury

The symptoms of tremors, depression, and confusion in an elderly client raise the possibility of mercury poisoning. This heavy metal can lead to neurological and psychological symptoms, as it affects the central nervous system. Tremors may develop as a result of neurological impairment, while depression and confusion are also common manifestations of exposure to toxins like mercury. In this context, it is important to consider the patient’s potential exposure to mercury through various sources, such as contaminated fish or industrial products, especially in older individuals who might have accumulated toxins over time. Other options, while they may have some overlap in symptoms, do not specifically account for the combination of tremors, depression, and confusion as prominently associated with mercury exposure. Alzheimer's disease typically presents with progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment rather than acute symptoms. Drug withdrawal might explain some of the symptoms depending on the substance involved but would not singularly correlate with these specific three symptoms in elderly patients. Stroke symptoms often present with unilateral weakness or speech difficulties and are usually acute, contrasting with chronic exposure implications like those resulting from mercury poisoning.