The nursing assistant is caring for a resident diagnosed with dementia on an Alzheimer's unit. What action should the nursing assistant take to keep the resident safe?

Question

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Residents with dementia tend to wander away, so the assistant's best action is to make sure before unlocking the unit's door for visitors to enter that there is no resident nearby that could accidently escape the unit. Explain to visitors the reason behind the need to maintain the lockdown system. The family needs to visit their loved one inside of the unit and its courtyard and not take the resident away from the unit, which offers special features to protect the resident from wandering. If the room is hot, call maintenance right away so a portable air-conditioner may be used, for instance. Don't unlock the specialty locks; this creates a way for the resident to wander off. Because of the disease process, the resident may change behaviors quickly so the activity may not last long to keep the resident's interest.

The Nursing Assistant Is Caring for a Resident Diagnosed with Dementia