Reflect on the way the patient presented in the case. Could the patient be presenting with dementia, delirium, or depression? What distinct symptoms or factors would lead you to a diagnosis of dementia, delirium, or depression? How might you assess, perform diagnostic tests, and recommend medications to treat patients presenting with the symptoms in the case? Access the Focused SOAP Note Template in this week's Resources. Note: When completing your focus SOAP notes, list your primary diagnosis AND 3 differential diagnoses with evidence-based rationales.
a. Differential Diagnosis 1: Depression
Rationale: Mrs. Simmons has a history of depression following her husband's death, and her daughter reports that she seems to be depressed. Additionally, depression is common in older adults and can manifest with symptoms such as changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and feelings of worthlessness.

b. Differential Diagnosis 2: Dementia
Rationale: Mrs. Simmons is 84 years old, an age at which dementia becomes more prevalent. Her daughter's concerns about her behavior and cognitive changes, such as forgetfulness, may indicate dementia. Diagnostic tests such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) could be used to assess cognitive function.

c. Differential Diagnosis 3: Delirium
Rationale: Mrs. Simmons's daughter may be concerned about delirium due to acute changes in her mother's behavior and cognitive function. Delirium can be triggered by underlying medical conditions, so it would be important to perform diagnostic tests to rule out any medical causes.

d. Differential Diagnosis 4: Adjustment Disorder
Rationale: Mrs. Simmons's symptoms may also be consistent with an adjustment disorder, as she may be struggling to adapt to life following her husband's death. It would be important to assess the duration and severity of her symptoms to determine if they meet the criteria for an adjustment disorder.