Mrs. A. is becoming forgetful and withdrawing from social interactions with her family. She loses track of time and commonly forgets to eat her meals. The physician diagnoses her with this neurological disorder.

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The scenario describes a patient, Mrs. A., who is experiencing progressive memory impairment (forgetfulness, losing track of time) and social withdrawal, along with getting meals forgotten, which are common features of a degenerative cognitive disorder.

First, Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by insidious onset and gradual progression of memory loss, especially recent memory, along with impairments in language, executive function, and social/functional abilities. The described forgetting meals and time, plus withdrawal from family interactions, align with the typical course where memory deficits lead to reduced daily functioning and social disengagement over time.

Second, consider what is not described or implied: there is no mention of sudden, focal neurological events or signs that would suggest stroke or vascular dementia (e.g., stepwise decline, focal deficits). There is no description of movement disorders or hallucinations that might point to Lewy body dementia. The absence of acute delirium features (fluctuating attention, acute confusion) also supports a chronic progressive dementia rather than an acute cognitive disorder.

Third, other potential etiologies such as normal aging, depression (pseudodementia), or other types of dementia might present with cognitive and social changes, but the combination and progression of memory impairment with functional decline fits the classic profile of a degenerative Alzheimer-type dementia.

In summary, the constellation of gradually worsening memory loss, time disorientation, social withdrawal, and disruption of daily eating routines is most consistent with a neurodegenerative dementia pattern, particularly one aligned with Alzheimer disease presentations.

If there were accompanying answer choices, we would evaluate each against these features: abrupt onset or focal deficits would argue for other causes; preserved function would argue against a dementia; prominent visuospatial or parietal signs early on might suggest other subtypes. Given the described symptoms, Alzheimer disease coherently accounts for the observed clinical picture.

Medical Terminology Quiz #12 - Chapter 9 Nervous System

Mrs. A. is becoming forgetful and withdrawing from social interactions with her family. She loses track of time and commonly forgets to eat her meals. The physician diagnoses her with this neurological disorder.

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