Final answer:
The nurse should assess vital signs, collect a urine sample for analysis, review the client's medical history, promote hydration, and assist with mobility. If a urinary tract infection is confirmed, administering prescribed antibiotics and monitoring mental status are important steps in addressing the issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The elderly client’s symptoms of confusion, nausea, dysuria, and urgency with incontinence suggest a possible urinary tract infection (UTI). Considering these symptoms, the appropriate nurse action is to first assess the client’s vital signs, perform a physical examination, and then collect a urine sample for urinalysis and culture to confirm the infection. Additionally, promoting hydration and frequent urination can help manage and prevent UTIs, especially amongst the elderly, who may encounter physical or neurological challenges that discourage frequent urination.
Furthermore, the client’s history should be reviewed, especially looking for comorbid conditions such as diabetes, a history of UTIs, or prostate issues in men, which could all increase the risk of UTIs. The nurse should also ensure that the client is adequately assisted with mobility and access to the restroom since conditions like Alzheimer's could impair the ability to navigate a new environment like a nursing home. Proper management could include administering prescribed antibiotics once infection is confirmed and monitoring fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Monitoring mental status for any further confusion or delirium is also key in elderly patients with UTIs as this could indicate the severity and systemic impact of the infection.