A community health nurse is developing a comprehensive self-care and health maintenance plan for an 84-year-old client with mild cognitive decline who lives with family. Which actions by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply.
- Organize the client's daily grooming supplies in a consistent, visible location.Answer
- Allow the client extra time to complete bathing tasks independently.Answer
- Implement the use of a large-print, color-coded pill organizer for daily medications.Answer
- DDelegate the initial evaluation of the client's transfer safety to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
- EInform the family that the client's sudden onset of severe confusion is a normal physiological change of aging.
- FDiscontinue primary prevention strategies, such as immunizations, due to the client's advanced age.
Answer
The nurse should organize grooming supplies in a consistent location, allow extra time for independent bathing, and implement a large-print, color-coded pill organizer.
The correct interventions focus on maximizing the client's remaining capabilities and adapting the environment to support independence. Organizing grooming supplies in a consistent location and using a color-coded pill organizer compensate for mild cognitive decline by simplifying tasks. Furthermore, allowing the client extra time to complete bathing independently prevents premature dependence and preserves their functional status.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Promoting self-care and independence in older adults requires adaptive strategies while maintaining safety, accurate assessment of acute changes, and proper delegation.