Final answer:
The nurse should report the findings to the proper authorities, be cautious when discussing the situation with the family, ensure a staff member is present during family visits, and ask the patient about their care to gather more information, prioritizing the patient's immediate safety and following reporting requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a nurse suspects elder abuse or neglect, the appropriate course of action is to ensure the safety of the patient and to follow legal and institutional protocols for reporting suspected abuse. This typically includes the following steps:
- Report the findings to the appropriate authorities. In many regions, healthcare professionals are mandated reporters, which means they are legally required to report suspected abuse to adult protective services, law enforcement, or both.
- Discussing the situation with the family may be appropriate in some cases, but it should be done with caution, as confronting potential abusers without securing the safety of the elderly individual can lead to increased risk.
- Having a staff member present during family visits can help to ensure the patient's safety and provide additional monitoring of the situation.
- Ask the patient who is providing his care to gather more information while being sensitive to the individual's cognitive limitations due to dementia.
It is important to note that priority should be given to the immediate safety of the individual and compliance with reporting requirements. Further assessment and investigation will likely follow the initial report to determine the best course of action to protect the elderly individual and address the situation.