What symptom indicated that the client may have a neurocognitive disorder during the physical exam?

The symptom indicating that the client may have a neurocognitive disorder during the physical exam is the inability to finish sentences. This symptom aligns with cognitive impairment often seen in neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with these disorders may struggle with language processing, which can manifest as difficulty with verbal expression and the inability to articulate thoughts coherently. This difficulty not only affects conversation but also reflects underlying cognitive decline often associated with neurocognitive disorders.

Observing someone who cannot finish sentences suggests problems with memory retrieval or language processing, which are key aspects of cognitive function that are compromised in individuals with such disorders. Other symptoms like altered affect or behavioral changes can also occur, but the specific issue of struggling to complete sentences directly correlates with language and cognitive shortcomings related to neurocognitive conditions.