A presenile degenerative disease of the brain affecting the frontal lobe is called?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Pick's disease is a form of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal or temporal lobes.
The term 'presenile' correctly describes Pick's disease, as its onset is typically in middle age (40-65 years), earlier than the typical onset of Alzheimer's disease.
The frontal lobe is responsible for personality, behavior, and executive functions. Damage to this area, as seen in Pick's disease, leads to the characteristic early symptoms of personality and behavioral changes.
Pathologically, it is defined by the presence of 'Pick bodies,' which are abnormal clumps of tau protein inside nerve cells.

Option A: The Oedipus complex is a concept from psychoanalytic theory, not a neurodegenerative disease. It relates to psychological development.
Option B: An orgasm is a normal physiological response to sexual stimulation. It is a function, not a disease or disorder.
Option D: A neologism is a symptom, not a disease itself. It is the act of creating new words that have no meaning to others.

Visual 1: Diagram: Comparison of a healthy brain MRI with an MRI of a brain with Pick's disease. The visual should clearly label and highlight the significant atrophy (shrinkage) in the frontal and temporal lobes in the affected brain.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Frontotemporal Dementia (Pick's Disease) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses caring for patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), like Pick's disease, must prioritize safety due to impaired judgment and potential impulsivity.
Management involves creating a structured, predictable environment and using communication strategies that are simple and direct to manage behavioral symptoms.
Family and caregiver support is a critical nursing intervention, as they face significant challenges in managing the personality and behavioral changes in their loved one.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of specific neurological disorders.
First, break down the question stem into key descriptors: 1) 'presenile' (early onset), 2) 'degenerative disease', and 3) affects the 'frontal lobe'.
Next, evaluate each option against these three criteria.
Eliminate 'Oedipus complex' as it's a psychological theory, not a brain disease.
Eliminate 'Orgasm' as it's a normal physiological function.
Eliminate 'Neologism' as it's a symptom of a disorder, not the disorder itself.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-20 July 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.