A patient with Alzheimer's disease wanders at night. Which action ...

[bobbysung]

A patient with Alzheimer's disease wanders at night. Which action should the nurse recommend for a family to use in the home to enhance safety?
 
  a. Place throw rugs on tile or wooden floors.
  b. Place locks at the tops of doors.
  c. Encourage daytime napping.
  d. Obtain a bed with side rails.

Question 2

During morning care, a nursing assistant asks a patient with dementia, How was your night? The patient replies, It was lovely. I went out to dinner and a movie with my friend. Which term applies to the patient's response?
 
  a. Sundown syndrome
  b. Confabulation
  c. Perseveration
  d. Delirium

[Silverbeard98]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Placing door locks at the top of the door makes it more difficult for the patient with dementia to unlock the door because the ability to look up and reach upward is diminished. All throw rugs should be removed to prevent falls. The patient will try to climb over side rails, increasing the risk for injury and falls. Day napping should be discouraged with the hope that the patient will sleep during the night.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Confabulation is the making up of stories or answers to questions by a person who does not remember. It is a defensive tactic to protect self-esteem and prevent others from noticing memory loss. The patient's response was not sundown syndrome. Perseveration refers to repeating a word or phrase over and over. Delirium is not present in this scenario.

[bobbysung]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Alyson.hiatt@yahoo.com]

TYSM