What is the nurse’s best initial response when a patient with delirium says, “There are snakes in my bed”?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: “I can see you’re frightened. Let’s look together so you feel safe.”
Acknowledging the patient’s fear and providing reassurance without reinforcing the delusion promotes trust and reduces anxiety.
Practice all 20 Cognitive Disorders: Dementia and Delirium questions
Keep practicing
More Cognitive Disorders: Dementia and Delirium questions
- Which type of memory is typically lost first in Alzheimer’s disease?
- A nurse suspects delirium in a patient. Which finding supports this suspicion?
- Which nursing intervention helps prevent delirium in an elderly hospitalized patient?
- Which communication technique is most effective for interacting with a patient with moderate dementia?
- Which physiological change most commonly contributes to delirium in hospitalized elderly patients?
- What is the best nursing approach for a family frustrated with a loved one’s dementia-related forgetfulness?