Question

Scenario

You are the nurse working triage in the emergency department (ED). This afternoon a woman brings in her father, ALI, a 72-year-old who is a retired doctor. The daughter reports that over the past several months she has noticed her father has progressively had problems with his mental capacity. These changes have developed gradually but seem to be getting worse. At times he is alert, and at other times he seems disoriented, depressed, and tearful. He is forgetting things and doing things out of the ordinary, such as placing the milk in the cupboard and sugar in the refrigerator. He had difficulty finding objects in the kitchen and at times forgets where his room is.

This morning he thought it was nighttime and wondered what his daughter was doing at his house. He could not pour his coffee, and he seems to be getting more agitated. ALI reports that he has been having memory problems for the past year and at times has difficulty remembering the names of family members and friends.

A review of his past medical history (PMH) is significant for hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease (CAD). He had a myocardial infarction (MI) 5 years ago. ALI’s vital signs (VS) today are all within normal limits (WNL).

Q: Discuss four nursing interventions for patients who are experiencing disturbed thought processes, impaired memory, and disturbed sensory perceptions.           

Answer 1

ANSWER.

* Four nursing interventions for patients who are experiencing disturbed throught

process,impaired memory and disturbed sensory perception.

      1) Maintain good therapeutic communication with the patient which includes

                 * Use of non-arguing statments

                 * Active listening during communication

                 * Using supportive statements.

                 * Providing orientation about time,place and person.

                 * Avoiding use of complex sentences.

       Rationale ; To develop a trustful relationship with the patient which enhance

                            the patient participation in treatment process.

      2) Creating a peaceful safe environment and assist in daily activities of the patient.

         Rationale ; To ensure safety,psychological support and avoid the risk for fall in

                               patients with impaired memory,disturbed thoughts and sensory perception.

     3) Provide education about techniques to manage disturbed through like listening to music,

          meditation,exercises etc.

             Rationale ; To control or challenge the disturbed thought process.

    4) Administration of antipsychotic drugs as per physicans order and routine assessment

         of nutritional status of the patient.

             Rationale ; To manage the psychological sympoms and maintaining the nutritional

                                status.