An elderly patient with multi-infarct dementia is striking out with her arms and kicking at people who walk past in the hall. Intervention by the nurse should begin by:
a. gently touching the patient's arm.
b. saying the patient's name to gain contact.
c. asking the patient what she needs.
d. approaching from behind to reassure her.
B
Getting the patient's attention is fundamental to intervention. The nurse should make eye contact and smile while repeating the patient's name until the patient focuses on the nurse. Once the nurse has the patient's attention, gently touching the patient in a reassuring manner could be appropriate. Striking out usually signals fear or that the patient perceives the environment to be out of control; approaching from behind would startle the patient and increase her fearfulness, increasing the risk of acting out violently.
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