While performing a home visit with an elderly patient, the nurse notices that the patient's dress is less tidy than in previous visits, and she finds an open orange juice container in the pantry cabinet instead of the refrigerator and a roll of
paper towels in the refrigerator. How should the nurse respond? a. Begin rearranging the patient's storage, and show her how it needs to be done.
b. Raise her voice, and tell the patient that this is not acceptable.
c. Complete a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
d. Realize that elderly patients do things differently.
C
Behavioral changes associated with cognitive dysfunction are evident in a disorderly home and inappropriate placement of objects (e.g., carton of orange juice placed inside kitchen cabinet instead of in refrigerator). If you suspect a cognitive or mental status change, complete an MMSE (e.g., Folstein's examination) for dementia and/or complete a short GDS for depression. Speak clearly and in a normal tone of voice.
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