Which symptom is commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Which symptom is commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease?

• A. Short-term memory loss with full recovery.
• B. Rapid improvement in problem-solving.
• C. No change in mood or behavior.
• D. Disorientation and slower to complete tasks.

Answer: (D)

D is about the kind of cognitive changes Alzheimer's causes as it progresses. Disorientation—getting lost in familiar places or mixed up about dates—and taking longer to complete tasks reflect problems with attention, planning, sequencing, and executive function. These abilities typically deteriorate over time in Alzheimer’s, so people move from just memory issues to broader difficulties with daily activities and slower performance. Other options don’t fit because: - Short-term memory loss with full recovery isn’t typical of Alzheimer’s; the memory decline tends to persist and worsen rather than fully recover. - Rapid improvement in problem-solving contradicts the usual course, which is progressive decline, not improvement. - No change in mood or behavior ignores common psychological and behavioral changes that can accompany the disease, such as irritability, anxiety, or withdrawal.

D is about the kind of cognitive changes Alzheimer's causes as it progresses. Disorientation—getting lost in familiar places or mixed up about dates—and taking longer to complete tasks reflect problems with attention, planning, sequencing, and executive function. These abilities typically deteriorate over time in Alzheimer’s, so people move from just memory issues to broader difficulties with daily activities and slower performance.

Other options don’t fit because:

• Short-term memory loss with full recovery isn’t typical of Alzheimer’s; the memory decline tends to persist and worsen rather than fully recover.

• Rapid improvement in problem-solving contradicts the usual course, which is progressive decline, not improvement.

• No change in mood or behavior ignores common psychological and behavioral changes that can accompany the disease, such as irritability, anxiety, or withdrawal.