Key Concepts
Introduction
Alzheimer disease is characterized by progressive accumulation of extracellular beta-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These pathological changes trigger chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and widespread neuronal death, particularly in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Cholinergic neurotransmission is severely impaired as the nucleus basalis of Meynert degenerates. The disease progresses through predictable stages, from mild cognitive impairment to complete functional dependence. The nurse performs comprehensive cognitive assessments, manages pharmacological therapy, coordinates multidisciplinary care, implements safety interventions, and provides caregiver education and support. On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you commit. If the stem names a license or role, reread that line; scope errors are classic trap answers even when the clinical topic is familiar. Run a 60-second scan: breathing work and oxygenation, perfusion and end organs, neuro baseline, likely infection sources, and devices that can fail quietly. When two answers feel partly right, pick the one that reduces imminent harm and matches orders for the role you were given. Train yourself to state the primary risk in...