A psychiatric–mental health nurse greets a newly admitted older adult client by saying, "Hello, Bob. My name is Matt. I have to take some information from you. First, how many years young are you?"

Question

Another nurse who overhears this exchange should do what?
A) Do nothing. The technician's friendly manner will put the client at ease.
B) Interrupt the technician to point out that he should address the client by his surname.
C) Take the technician aside afterward to explain that his words are inadvertently disrespectful.
D) Do nothing. Even though the technician's approach is a little too familiar, the client should be able to understand that the technician is trying to be respectful.

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Nurses and other health care professionals must take care to use respectful terms when talking with or about older people, regardless of diagnosis, symptoms, or both. They must avoid the degrading terminology associated with ageism in all cases. Many of these terms can decrease feelings of self-esteem, thus contributing to depression in older people.