Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The most common cognitive impairment for patients over the age of 70 is dementia. This condition encompasses various types of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease, which is a specific form of dementia. However, dementia itself is broader and affects memory, thinking, and social abilities significantly enough to interfere with daily life.

As people age, the prevalence of dementia increases, making it the most common cognitive impairment in older adults. While Alzheimer's disease is indeed prevalent within the dementia category, dementia as a general term refers to a group of symptoms affecting mental cognitive tasks such as memory and reasoning, which can develop due to various factors beyond just Alzheimer's.

The other conditions listed, while they can affect cognitive function, represent different mechanisms or are less common as standalone diagnoses in this age group. For instance, Parkinson's disease has cognitive implications, but it is primarily characterized by motor symptoms and may develop cognitive impairment later in its progression. Delirium is an acute condition that is typically reversible and more transient than the chronic nature of dementia. Therefore, when considering the most common cognitive impairment in the geriatric population, dementia is the most appropriate and encompassing choice.