Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which statement about vascular dementia is least accurate?

1. The blood vessels of the brain are affected and progressive intellectual deterioration occurs.

2. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia.

3. Clients suffer the equivalent of small strokes in vascular dementia.

4. It has a more insidious onset than Alzheimer's disease.

The correct answer is: It has a more insidious onset than Alzheimer's disease.

The statement about vascular dementia that is least accurate is that it has a more insidious onset than Alzheimer's disease. In fact, vascular dementia typically has a more abrupt onset, often following a stroke or a series of small strokes that cause significant, immediate changes in cognitive function. This contrasts with Alzheimer's disease, which usually presents with a gradual decline in cognitive abilities over time. The progression of vascular dementia can also be characterized by stepwise deterioration, with sudden changes that coincide with vascular incidents. This implies that cognitive impairment may fluctuate rather than follow a steady decline, which is more typical in Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the nature of onset in different types of dementia is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning, as it helps differentiate between the types of cognitive decline a patient may experience based on their specific pathophysiology.