National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

Which term describes an acquired, persistent impairment of intellectual function with compromise in at least three spheres of mental activity?

1. Alzheimer's

2. Delirium

3. Dementia

4. Encephalopathy

The correct answer is: Dementia

The term that describes an acquired, persistent impairment of intellectual function with compromise in at least three spheres of mental activity is dementia. Dementia encompasses a range of cognitive impairments that interfere with daily functioning and activities. It is characterized by a decline in social and occupational functioning due to memory loss, reasoning impairment, and difficulties with communication and problem-solving. Dementia is distinct from other conditions such as delirium, which is typically a short-term and fluctuating disturbance in consciousness and cognition often caused by acute medical issues. It is also different from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, which is a specific type of dementia marked by particular symptoms and pathology but does not define all dementia cases broadly. Encephalopathy refers to any disease that affects brain function and can lead to cognitive impairments, but it does not inherently describe the persistent nature or the multiple areas of compromise characteristic of dementia. By acknowledging the specific criteria for dementia, including the persistent nature of the impairment and its broad impact across various cognitive domains, we can see why this term is the appropriate choice in the context of the question.