Question

An older adult client's husband tells the nurse he's concerned because his wife insists on talking about events that happened to her years ago. The nurse finds the client alert, oriented, and answering questions appropriately. Which statement made to the husband is correct?

a. Your wife is reviewing her life.
b. This behavior indicates a potential memory disorder.
c. It's common for older adults to focus on past events.
d. She might be experiencing early signs of dementia.

Answer 1

Telling a husband his wife is reviewing her life acknowledges normal older adult behavior of reminiscing. However, additional symptoms like trouble managing finances, irritability, and disorientation suggest the possibility of a memory disorder or early dementia, warranting further medical evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

An appropriate response to the husband concerned about his wife's memory and focus on past events would be: Your wife is reviewing her life. It is common for older adults to focus on past events, and this can be part of the normal aging process, where individuals reflect on their life experiences. However, given the additional context that the client is also experiencing trouble with paying bills on time, managing her budget, increased irritability, and disorientation, these could be indicative of a memory disorder or the early signs of dementia.

With these additional symptoms, a healthcare provider would conduct thorough evaluations including a physical exam, lab tests, an assessment of cognitive functions like problem-solving and orientation, and potentially brain imaging to determine the exact cause. The focus on past events, in isolation, isn't necessarily a cause for concern, but the combination of several symptoms mentioned indicates that the client should seek professional evaluation as soon as possible.