The day shift nurse at the long-term care facility learns that a patient with dementia experienced sundowning late in the afternoon on the previous two days. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Keep blinds open during the daytime hours.
b. Provide hourly orientation to time and place.
c. Have the patient take a brief mid-morning nap.
d. Move the patient to a quieter room late in the afternoon.
ANS: A
A likely cause of sundowning is a disruption in circadian rhythms and keeping the patient active and in daylight will help reestablish a more normal circadian pattern. Moving the patient to a different room might increase confusion. Taking a nap will interfere with nighttime sleep. Hourly orientation will not be helpful in a patient with dementia.
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