An Older Patient with Alzheimer's Disease Has a Feeding Tube

question 14

Multiple Choice

An older patient with Alzheimer's disease has a feeding tube. The family wants to know if the patient will ever be able to eat solid food again. What information should the nurse include when responding to this family's question?

• A) The dietitian will decide if this can be done.
• B) It depends upon the patient's functional eating abilities.
• C) This can be done but the feeding tube has to be removed first.
• D) In the patient with dementia, the restoration of natural feeding is highly unlikely.

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Definitions:

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and personality changes.

Neurocognitive Disorder

A class of mental health disorders characterized by cognitive decline from a previous level of performance.

Apraxia

Impaired ability to initiate common voluntary behaviors.

Common Actions

Typical or widely shared activities, behaviors, or responses among individuals or groups in specific situations or contexts.