The wife of an older client is concerned that her husband has recently experienced memory lapses, is unusually aggressive and was involved in three traffic accidents in the past month. In planning a response, the nurse is guided by the knowledge that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of memory lapses, aggression, and multiple traffic accidents may indicate alcohol abuse as a possible cause. Further assessment is needed to determine if this is the case. Depression and dementia can also cause memory lapses and behavior changes, but the presence of traffic accidents raises concerns about possible intoxication. Normal aging does not typically lead to these specific symptoms. Elder abuse is a possibility, but there is no evidence in the scenario to support this as the primary cause of the client's symptoms.

The Wife of an Older Client Is Concerned That Her