Question

Three months after the death of his wife, an 86-year-old man begins having difficulty with concentration and sleep. Family members must provide reminders and encouragement for him to bathe, take prescribed medications, and eat regularly. Which nursing action is most appropriate?

1 Assist the family to place this client in a skilled care facility.
2 Refer this client for further evaluation and treatment of suspected depression.
3 Educate the family and support persons regarding the progression of dementia.

Answer 1

2 Refer this client for further evaluation and treatment of suspected depression.

Step-by-step explanation:

Depression is a very common disease in our environment and it can be triggered by various factors like stress and sadness. The 86-year-old, shown in the above question, has just been killed by a spouse, which is a sad and stressful situation. The death of this gentleman's wife is not enough to say that he may be depressed, but this gentleman has difficulty sleeping, lack of courage to bathe and eat, and is having difficulty remembering to take his medicine. These symptoms may be related to the onset of a depressive condition, so it would be appropriate for a nursing staff to consult this client for further evaluation and treatment of suspected depression.