The physician has diagnosed a myocardial infarction on the basis of ECG changes for Mr. Montgomery, a 67-year-old retired College professor, who was rushed to the Emergency Department after collapsing in his front yard. The nurse is assessing Mr. Montgomery frequently and notes that he seems forgetful, making the nurse repeat the explanations about the ECG and non-invasive blood pressure monitors. The nurse concludes that Mr. Montgomery’s response is most likely due to which of the following reasons?