The wife of an older client is concerned that her husband has recently experienced memory lapses, is unusually aggressive and was involved in three traffic accidents in the past month

Question

In planning a response, the nurse is guided by the knowledge that: 1. Further intervention is needed to prevent elder abuse of the wife.
2. Further assessment is needed to determine if alcohol abuse is possible.
3. These are normal responses to aging.
4. These are signs of depression or dementia.

Answer 1

2
Rationale: Alcohol abuse is often overlooked and untreated in older adults. Additionally, elders are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and are the largest consumers of OTC and prescribed medications. Aggressive behavior and memory lapses are not normal responses to aging and may be signs of depression or dementia; however, further assessment is needed before any diagnosis can be made. Elder abuse of the wife, although possible, is not apparent and the nurse should not assume intervention is necessary without further assessment.