A patient with dementia no longer recognizes family members. The family asks how long it will be before their family member recognizes them when they visit. What is the nurse's best reply?
a. "Your family member will never again be able to identify you."
b. "I think that is a question the health care provider should answer."
c. "One never knows. Consciousness fluctuates in persons with dementia."
d. "It is disappointing when someone you love no longer recognizes you."
ANS: D
Therapeutic communication techniques can assist family members to come to terms with the losses and irreversibility dementia imposes on both the loved one and themselves. Two of the incorrect responses close communication. The nurse should take the opportunity to foster communication. Consciousness does not fluctuate in patients with dementia.
You might also like to view...
A client is scheduled for a tympanoplasty. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
a. Administer preoperative antibiotics. b. Assess for allergies to local anesthetics. c. Ensure that informed consent is on the chart. d. Give ordered antivertigo medications. e. Teach that hearing improves immediately.
A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction. Which action by the nurse takes priority?
A. Determine what the patient is allergic to. B. Listen to the patient's lung sounds. C. Maintain the patient's airway. D. Provide oxygen at 4 L nasal cannula.
The nurse teaches parents that the severity of infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is most influenced by:
a. poor cough and gag reflex. b. the gestational age at birth. c. administering high concentrations of oxygen. d. the sex of the infant.
Which document should the nurse review in order to understand clients' rights for an advance directive?
a. American Nurses Association Code for Nurses b. International Council of Nurses Code for Nurses c. Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics d. Patient's Bill of Rights