The patient has been brought to the emergency department by a family member,who states that she just "doesn't know what to do." The patient often forgets where he is and refuses to bathe or change clothes.He will put things on the stove and forget that he has something cooking.She is obviously concerned for her loved one's safety.The nurse is likely to interpret these symptoms as signs of:

A) depression.
B) amnesia.
C) aphasia.
D) Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that causes problems with memory,thinking,or behavior.There is also a risk for wandering,where patients repeatedly try to carry out tasks or leave the place of residence.Depression is a chronic,insidious emotional disorder characterized by feelings of sadness,melancholy,dejection,and worthlessness that are inappropriate and out of proportion to reality.Amnesia is loss of memory.This is only one symptom of Alzheimer's disease.The patient has several symptoms.Aphasia is the loss of language skills.This is only one symptom of Alzheimer's disease,and it is not one that the patient's family member has identified.