A home health nurse visits a stage 4 Alzheimer disease patient ...

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A home health nurse visits a stage 4 Alzheimer disease patient who lives at home with a spouse. In order to meet the needs of the spouse, what should the nurse suggest?
 
  1. finding respite care to come into the home several days a week
  2. making arrangements for the patient to visit the local senior citizens' center in the afternoon
  3. providing the patient a list of daily activities to complete
  4. finding placement in a long-term care facility

Question 2

A 30-year-old nurse who works on a busy medicalsurgical unit has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). What should the nurse identify as a priority for self-care?
 
  1. Apply for nursing positions that are less stressful and demanding.
  2. Work as hard as possible now because it may not be possible later.
  3. Continue to work as scheduled without making changes.
  4. Leave employment as a nurse due to the need for complete bed rest.

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Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Stage 4 patients generally exhibit decreased capacity to perform complex tasks (such as buying groceries or paying bills), a reduced memory for personal history, and are often unable to carry out activities of daily living. The spouse needs opportunities to have breaks from the demands of the patient's care. Since the stage 4 patient does not adapt well to changes in his or her environment, it would be best to have someone come into the home, rather than to have the patient go out. An outing or a list of activities would be better suited for the patient in stage 1. Recommending placement in long-term care might be premature and is not up to the nurse.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is progressive and will be negatively affected by working long hours and enduring stressful shifts. It is important for this patient to plan a schedule that is less demanding and move now to a work environment that is less stressful for adapting to life with MS. There is no way of knowing how the disease will progress. Maintaining a routine schedule might be difficult because of fatigue. There is no reason for the nurse to quit working because complete bed rest is not indicated.