The nurse is caring for a patient with vascular dementia. Based on the neurobiology of this condition, what is the nurse's primary concern when caring for this patient?
1. Pain
2. Safety
3. Communication
4. Level of consciousness
Answer: 2
Explanation: Safety is the primary concern for nurses at all times. However, this is especially true for the client with vascular dementia. In vascular dementia, patients suffer the equivalent of small strokes that destroy many areas of the brain. Onset is abrupt, resulting in rapid changes to functioning. The patient may have an altered gait and weakness of the limbs, increasing the risk for falls. Pain is not a common feature of vascular dementia. While the nurse will assess communication and level of consciousness, these are not the primary concerns when caring for a patient with vascular dementia.
You might also like to view...
An infant is born with a myelomeningocele. An important nursing assessment you would make with her would be to see if she
A) has a normal tonic-neck reflex. B) voids continually or at spaced intervals. C) is able to lie on her back without pain. D) can follow a moving light across the midline of vision.
An adolescent has been diagnosed with Chlamydia infection. Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this condition?
a. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) IM b. Azithromycin (Zithromax) PO c. Acyclovir (Zovirax) PO d. Penicillin G benzathine (Bicillin) IV
From a cognitive perspective, the characteristic the nurse is most likely to assess in a client with an
eating disorder is a. carefree flexibility. b. open displays of emotion. c. rigidity, perfectionism. d. high spirits and optimism.
The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with myasthenia gravis whose CT scan reveals an enlarged thymus gland. Which additional assessment data would be consistent with the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis?
A) Decreased sensation in the hands and feet B) Incoordination of gait C) Facial numbness causing slurred speech D) Generalized weakness of the extremities