A client with Alzheimer's disease in an assisted living complex has been treated for dehydration twice this year, mostly because he does not drink unless someone offers him water. The best way to monitor hydration status would be to:
1. Monitor weight daily.
2. Monitor input and output (I&O).
3. Offer him coffee several times a day.
4. Provide a pitcher of water and track how much he drinks.
2
Rationale: Clients with Alzheimer's disease often have a blunted response to thirst and need to be monitored closely to avoid dehydration. Keeping a record of the daily I&O will provide a tool for determining fluid needs. Coffee has been linked with water loss and may exacerbate the situation. Dependency on others for fluids is always a risk for dehydration, and frequent reminders and coaching is needed even if fluids are in the proximity.
You might also like to view...
The LPN/LVN selects nursing interventions to continue during which stage of the nursing process?
1. Assessment 2. Diagnosis 3. Intervention 4. Evaluation 5.
A woman in the transition phase of labor requests a narcotic analgesic medication for pain relief. What should the nurse explain regarding giving a narcotic analgesic medication at this stage of labor?
a. It can cause medication given at later stages to be ineffective. b. It will have no complications for the mother or infant. c. It may result in respiratory depression to the newborn. d. It will speed up labor and increase pain.
A patient with a history of seizures has been admitted to the hospital for a minor infection and will be going home tomorrow
The patient has been taking lamotrigine (Lamictal) and valproic acid (Depakote). Upon assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has widespread lesions of the skin and mucous membranes and a temperature of 102.9°F, and that the patient complains of malaise. The nurse should suspect a. a hematological reaction. b. Stevens-Johnson syndrome. c. toxic levels of valproic acid (Depakote). d. toxic epidermal necrolysis.
P.B. asks you to explain the main advantages and disadvantages of the most effective
methods. What will be an ideal response?