Question

During the nurse's morning assessment of the patient with a diagnosis of dementia, the patient states that the year is 1949 and she believes she is in a hotel. How should the nurse best respond to the patient's disorientation?

A: At the patient what she was doing in 1949 and what hotel she believes she is in.
B: Reorient the patient to place and time.
C: Provide hints during your conversation to the correct year & place.
D: Thanks the patient for her responses and document her cognitive status.

Answer 1

The nurse should reorient the patient to place and time.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient with dementia becomes disoriented, the nurse should best respond by reorienting the patient to place and time. This means reminding the patient of their current location and the current year. For example, the nurse might say, 'You are in the hospital and today is [current year].' This approach can help the patient gain a better understanding of their surroundings and reduce confusion.