A long-term care resident is taking an anticholinergic agent.The nurse observes the resident to be disoriented and hallucinating.The priority nursing action is to:

Question

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The priority nursing action is to provide for the resident's safety. Disorientation and hallucination are side effects of anticholinergic agents. These side effects can increase confusion and pose a risk for falls or injury. The nurse should assess the resident's environment for safety hazards, provide supervision, and implement fall precautions. The other options, such as reporting to the charge nurse, assessing blood glucose, and medicating with antianxiety medication may be appropriate in certain situations, but providing for the resident's safety is the priority in this scenario.

A Long-Term Care Resident Is Taking an Anticholinergic Agent