Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a client with Alzheimer’s disease who has frequent episodes of emotional lability?
A. Attempt humor to alter the client’s mood.
B. Explore reasons for the client’s altered mood.
C. Reduce environmental stimuli to redirect the client’s attention.
D. Use logic to point out reality aspects.
Correct Answer: C. Reduce environmental stimuli to redirect the client’s attention.
The client with Alzheimer’s disease can have frequent episodes of labile mood, which can best be handled by decreasing a stimulating environment and redirecting the client’s attention. Maintain a nice quiet neighborhood. Noise, crowds, the crowds are usually the excessive sensory neurons and can increase interference.
Option A: The client with Alzheimer’s disease loses the cognitive ability to respond to either humor or logic. Assess the level of cognitive disorders such as a change to orientation to people, places and times, range, attention, thinking skills. It provides the basis for the evaluation or comparison that will come and influencing the choice of intervention.
Option B: An over-stimulating environment may cause a labile mood, which will be difficult for the client to understand. Maintain consistent scheduling with allowances for patient’s specific needs, and avoid frustrating situations and overstimulation. It prevents patient agitation, erratic behaviors, and combative reactions. Scheduling may need revision to show respect for the patient’s sense of worth and to facilitate the completion of tasks.
Option D: The client lacks any insight into his or her own behavior and therefore will be unaware of any causative factors. Assist with establishing cues and reminders for patient’s assistance. Assists patients with early AD to remember the location of articles and facilitates some orientation.