Best Response for an Elderly Female with Advanced Dementia

An elderly female client with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells the staff, "Take me home. I want my Mommy." Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

a) "You can go home soon."

b) "Your Mommy will come."

c) "We'll take good care of you."

d) "I miss my Mommy too."

Final answer:

The best response a nurse can give to a dementia patient asking to go home and see her mother is to reassure the patient by saying, "We'll take good care of you." Feeding into her confusion or making the situation about the nurse's own feelings is not appropriate.

Explanation:

This is because responses a) and b) could potentially confuse or aggrieve the patient further given her advanced state of dementia. It's best to provide reassurance and comfort in such scenarios without further feeding into the delusions or confusion brought on by dementia. Answer d) is inappropriate and unprofessional; it does not focus on the patient's needs or emotions. It's essential in healthcare, particularly when dealing with patients with cognitive impairments, to maintain a focus on patient-centered care and comfort.

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