A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to a client with early Alzheimer disease and osteoarthritis. Current symptoms include mild forgetfulness and cognition changes. Which is the best example of an educational goal for anticipatory guidance?

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Anticipatory guidance prepares clients and caregivers for future health needs and is useful throughout life, from pediatric growth and development to anticipated changes related to disease processes. This type of education promotes health and helps to reduce client/caregiver stress and anxiety, which heighten with unexpected cognitive, physical, and emotional changes. Anticipatory guidance educational goals should be client-oriented, realistic, objective, measurable, and focused on preparing for future needs specific to the client. The client with Alzheimer disease and osteoarthritis is at high risk for falls with disease progression. In the early stage, the client can make changes in the home to promote safety in the future (Option C). (Option A) Memory aids (eg, pill organizers, alarms) should be used now, while the client has only mild cognition changes. As the disease progresses, a caregiver should take over medication management. (Option B) Support groups are an appropriate intervention for current psychosocial needs (eg, depression). (Option D) Clients with osteoarthritis are at risk for nutritional deficits due to functional decline (eg, inability to open jars), and clients with Alzheimer disease can forget to eat. The nurse should address this current need by teaching simple meal planning. Educational objective: Anticipatory guidance addresses expected changes related to growth and development or disease progression. Educational goals should be client-oriented, realistic, objective, measurable, and focused on preparing for future needs specific to the client.

A Nurse Is Providing Anticipatory Guidance to a Client with Early