Nurse R is providing care for a 71-year-old woman who has been admitted to the surgical unit following her post-anesthetic recovery from a bilateral mastectomy

Question

The patient has been physically stable but disoriented to place and time since admission, but the nurse knows that a history of dementia is noted in the patient's chart. The patient's daughter is distraught, however, because "mom was always just a bit forgetful, but nothing at all like this.". What would be the most appropriate response by the nurse? A) "If your mother already has dementia, her confusion is to be expected.".
B) "It is nothing for you to worry about, most elderly persons are forgetful.".
C) "Delirium can also cause an alteration in mental status and can be caused from a new environment, altered level of consciousness, excess stimuli, adverse drug reactions, and physiologic disturbance, all which your mother has likely experienced as a result of her hospitalization and surgery.".
D) "Are you blaming us for your mother's confusion?"

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
Answer C is the best response because it informs the patient's daughter about what may be occurring with her mother. The daughter has stated that the mother is usually a bit forgetful but not like she is now. This means that the daughter has noticed a difference, which may be attributable to delirium instead of the dementia that the patient already has. Not all elderly persons are forgetful and this does not address the patient's daughter's concern. Answer D is defensive and the patient's daughter has not made any accusations.