The nurse is providing care for a client with Alzheimer disease who often becomes angry and agitated 20 minutes or more after eating. The client accuses the nurse of not providing food, saying, "I'm hungry. You didn't feed me." The nurse should take which action?

Question

The nurse is providing care for a client with Alzheimer disease who often becomes angry and agitated 20 minutes or more after eating.  The client accuses the nurse of not providing food, saying, "I'm hungry.  You didn't feed me."  The nurse should take which action?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_ca39_5bf7_b433_3de3a02608e6_MD0009_00 Most clients with Alzheimer disease experience eating and nutritional problems throughout the course of their disease. During the earlier stages, it is common for clients to forget that they have eaten recently. The best approach is for caregivers to give clients something to eat when they say they are hungry. Smaller meals throughout the day, along with low-calorie snacks, are effective strategies for clients who forget that they have eaten. (Option A) Reality orientation has been recommended in the past as a way to deal with confusion (eg, dementia, Alzheimer disease), but research has shown that it may cause anxiety and distress. Validation therapy is a newer and more therapeutic approach that validates and accepts the client's reality. (Option B) Offering to provide a snack later does not address the client's stated need to eat now. Delay in giving food will only further increase the client's anger and frustration. (Option D) Showing a picture of the client having a meal is confrontational and will have no meaning to the client. Educational objective: Clients with Alzheimer disease experience eating and nutritional problems throughout the course of the disease. During the earlier stages, it is common for them to forget that they have eaten recently. The best approach is for caregivers to give clients something to eat when they say they are hungry.

The Nurse Is Providing Care for a Client with Alzheimer