Psychiatric Medications Q 74
What is the priority care for a client with dementia resulting from AIDS?
A. Planning for remotivation therapy.
B. Arranging for long-term custodial care.
C. Providing basic intellectual stimulation.
D. Assessing pain frequently.
Correct Answer: C. Providing basic intellectual stimulation
This action maintains for as long as possible, the client’s intellectual functions by providing an opportunity to use them. Frequently orient the client to reality and surroundings. Allow the client to have familiar objects around him or her; use other items, such as a clock, a calendar, and daily schedules, to assist in maintaining reality orientation.
Option A: Teach prospective caregivers how to orient the client to time, person, place, and circumstances, as required. These caregivers will be responsible for client safety after discharge from the hospital. Give positive feedback when thinking and behavior are appropriate, or when the client verbalizes that certain ideas expressed are not based on reality. Positive feedback increases self-esteem and enhances the desire to repeat appropriate behavior.
Option B: Instruct family members in the disease process, what can be expected, and assist with providing a list of community resources for support. Once diagnosis of AD is made, the family should be prepared to make long-term plans in order to discuss problems before they arise. Choices for resuscitation, legal competency and guardianship including financial responsibility needed to be addressed. The care of a person with AIDS is expensive and time-consuming, as well as energy-draining and emotionally devastating for the family. Community resources can help delay the need for placement in a long-term care facility and may help defray some costs.
Option D: Assess the patient’s ability for thought processing every shift. Observe the patient for cognitive functioning, memory changes, disorientation, difficulty with communication, or changes in thinking patterns. Changes in status may indicate a progression of deterioration or improvement in condition. Assess the level of cognitive disorders such as a change to orientation to people, places and times, range, attention, thinking skills. Provide the basis for the evaluation or comparison that will come, and influence the choice of intervention.