Question

An elderly female client with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with a fractured hip. The client repeatedly tells the staff, 'Take me home. I want my Mommy.' Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

1) Reassure the client that she is safe in the hospital and the staff will take care of her.
2) Tell the client that her mommy is not here and she needs to stay in the hospital for treatment.
3) Ignore the client's request and redirect her attention to something else.
4) Ask the client if there is anything specific she needs or if there is someone else she would like to see.

Answer 1

The most appropriate response for the nurse is to reassure the elderly female client with dementia that she is safe and the staff will take care of her while in the hospital for her fractured hip.

Step-by-step explanation:

An elderly female client with advanced dementia is admitted to the hospital with a fractured hip. When she repeatedly says 'Take me home. I want my Mommy.', the best response for the nurse to provide is to reassure the client that she is safe and the staff will take care of her. It is important to provide comfort and assurance in a way that is nurturing and empathetic. Telling the client that her mommy is not here could cause distress given her cognitive condition. Ignoring her request or redirecting her may not acknowledge her emotional state, while asking if there is someone else she would like to see or if there is anything specific she needs could provide additional comfort and assess any other needs she might have.