A 76-year-old man was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. His wife passed away 6 months ago due to metastatic breast cancer. The client states that he doesn't sleep well, often forgets to eat because he doesn't feel hungry, and he just doesn't get involved in social functions anymore because his kids don't want him to drive. He states that he feels isolated and lonely. What diagnosis should the nurse include as the highest priority in this client's plan of care?
A)Ineffective Activity Planning
B)Grieving
C)Risk for Loneliness
D)Risk for Suicide

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A)Although all of these diagnoses may be included in the client's plan of care, the diagnosis with the highest priority is risk for suicide. Risk factors for suicide that this client displays are age over 65 years, male client, symptoms of depression, death of a close loved one, and diagnosis of a terminal illness. Older adults have a higher rate of success when attempting suicide because they tend to use more lethal means. Therefore, risk for suicide should be a high-priority diagnosis for this client.
B)Although all of these diagnoses may be included in the client's plan of care, the diagnosis with the highest priority is risk for suicide. Risk factors for suicide that this client displays are age over 65 years, male client, symptoms of depression, death of a close loved one, and diagnosis of a terminal illness. Older adults have a higher rate of success when attempting suicide because they tend to use more lethal means. Therefore, risk for suicide should be a high-priority diagnosis for this client.
C)Although all of these diagnoses may be included in the client's plan of care, the diagnosis with the highest priority is risk for suicide. Risk factors for suicide that this client displays are age over 65 years, male client, symptoms of depression, death of a close loved one, and diagnosis of a terminal illness. Older adults have a higher rate of success when attempting suicide because they tend to use more lethal means. Therefore, risk for suicide should be a high-priority diagnosis for this client.
D)Although all of these diagnoses may be included in the client's plan of care, the diagnosis with the highest priority is risk for suicide. Risk factors for suicide that this client displays are age over 65 years, male client, symptoms of depression, death of a close loved one, and diagnosis of a terminal illness. Older adults have a higher rate of success when attempting suicide because they tend to use more lethal means. Therefore, risk for suicide should be a high-priority diagnosis for this client.

A 76-Year-Old Man Was Recently Diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease