Question

an elderly patient has symptoms of depression and the patients daughter asks about possible alzheimers disease (ad) since there is a family history of this disease. a screening evaluation shows no memory loss. what is the initial step in managing this patient? order brain imaging studies such as ct or mri. perform genetic testing to identify true risk. prescribe a trial of an antidepressant medication. recommend a trial of a cholinesterase inhibitor drug.

Explanation:

Since the patient has depression symptoms and no memory loss (a key feature of Alzheimer's at this stage), treating the depression (which is presenting symptom) with an antidepressant trial is the initial step. Brain imaging (CT/MRI) is more for when structural brain issues (like in some AD cases with atrophy etc., but not shown here yet) are more suspected. Genetic testing for AD risk is not the first - line for a patient with current depression symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors are for AD (to manage symptoms like memory loss which is not present here).

Answer:

Prescribe a trial of an antidepressant medication.