Question

A nurse is speaking with the adult child of a client who has severe Alzheimer's disease. The child is crying and tells the nurse, "I don't know how much longer I can keep this up." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

a. "I understand how you must be feeling."
b. "You should speak with your parent's doctor about this."
c. "Let's discuss options for respite care."
d. "You'll need to get help if your parent becomes combative."

Answer 1

c. "Let's discuss options for respite care." The nurse should respond with option c and discuss options for respite care.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response for the nurse to make in this situation is option c. "Let's discuss options for respite care."

This response acknowledges the child's distress and offers a potential solution to help alleviate their burden. Respite care refers to temporary or short-term caregiving services that provide the primary caregiver with a break. By discussing options for respite care, the nurse is showing empathy and suggesting a way for the child to have some time off from caregiving responsibilities.