A patient with Alzheimer's disease has been determined to have a ...

[stephzh]

A patient with Alzheimer's disease has been determined to have a dressing/grooming self-care deficit. Which intervention(s) would be appropriate for this nursing diagnosis? Select all that apply.
 
  a. Replace personal clothing with gym clothes that all match each other.
  b. Label the patient's clothing with his name and name of the item.
  c. Provide clothing with elastic waistbands and hook-and-loop closures.
  d. Administer anxiolytic medication before bathing and dressing.
  e. If the patient is resistive, use distraction; then try again after a short interval.
  f. If the patient moves too slowly to accomplish the task, perform it for him.

Question 2

An African American patient says to a white nurse, You wouldn't understand me because you live in a white world. Select the nurse's best response.
 
  a. I understand. All people go through the same experiences.
  b. Reassure the patient that nurses deal with people from all cultures.
  c. Gently change the subject to one that is less emotionally charged.
  d. Please describe an example of something you think I would not understand.

[tuwy]

Answer to Question 1

B, C, E
Labeling the patient's clothing with his name and the name of the item makes it easier for the patient to distinguish his clothes and choose items appropriately. Elastic waistbands and hook-and-loop closures simplify the motor skills needed in the dressing process. Persons with poor short-term memory tend not to sustain a particular mood; waiting and trying again often finds them in a different mood, particularly if a distracting activity is used between tries. Replacing the patient's personal clothing with new and unfamiliar clothing can be disorienting and can aggravate confusion. Antianxiety medications can cause sedation, increase confusion, and impair fine motor skills. Completing tasks for the patient reduces practice opportunities, hastening the loss of those skills.

Answer to Question 2

D
Having the patient speak in specifics rather than globally will help the nurse understand the patient's perspective. This approach will help the nurse communicate with the patient.

[stephzh]

TY

[tuwy]

Happy to Help