An elderly patient in the intensive care unit seems to be ...

[Mr. Wonderful]

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..
 
  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.

Question 2

The client is 21 years old and has just been diagnosed as having terminal cancer. She is coping with a(n) ____ loss.
 
  1. expected
  2. imagined
  3. internal
  4. temporary

[Beatricemm]

Answer to Question 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.

Answer to Question 2

3
Internal losses are personal and include losses that involve the self.

[Mr. Wonderful]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Dinolord]

Gracias!