An elderly patient in the intensive care unit seems to be becoming agitated. She points to the wall and states, "The people in that picture are moving. That doesn't make sense, I know, but they are. Something is wrong here."

Question

Which of the following nursing interventions would be most beneficial for this patient? a. Place large clocks and calendars on the wall of the patient's room.
b. Have personal belongings brought from home and placed in full view.
c. Remove the picture, and make sure the patient wears her glasses.
d. Keep the window blinds closed to prevent glare and overstimulation.

Answer 1

C
Illusions are sensory misperceptions; the patient misperceives a stimulus that exists in reality. Eyeglasses help enhance visual perception and reduce perceptual distortions and illusions. Removing the picture removes an object that the patient has been shown to misperceive, which in turn led to an increase in distress. Large clocks and calendars would be helpful for orienting the patient to time and date but would not reduce illusions in general. Personal belongings might enhance patient comfort by serving as familiar connections to her trusted home environment. Being able to see out a window helps maintain day/night orientation, and blinds should be kept open for this reason.