Final answer:
The nurse should document the elderly client's hands trembling as an intention tremor, which is a type of involuntary shaking that intensifies when the individual engages in a targeted voluntary movement and can indicate issues related to the cerebellum or CNS connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
When observing that an elderly client's hands tremble uncontrollably while reaching for a glass of water, a nurse should document this finding as an intention tremor. This type of tremor is characterized by involuntary shaking that occurs when a person attempts to make a voluntary movement towards a target, such as reaching for an object. It is not a sign of muscle flaccidity, which is a lack of muscle tone, nor is it a symptom of a transient ischemic attack, which typically includes sudden speech difficulties, paralysis, or numbness on one side of the body. It also does not describe sensory dysfunction, because that would relate to deficiencies in sensation, rather than control of movement.
Intention tremor is often related to issues within the cerebellum or connections in the central nervous system (CNS) that coordinate movement, possibly due to neurological disorders or as a side effect of medication. As part of the patient's motor exam, the tremor should be noted, and further investigation may be required to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.