Final answer:
The best response for a nurse aide when a resident is distressed over a missing doll they treat as their baby is to offer comfort and help look for the doll. This action demonstrates empathy and person-centered care, acknowledging the emotional significance of the doll to the resident.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where a resident often carries a doll with her, treating it like her baby, and one day is unable to find it and becomes distressed, the nurse aide needs to provide compassionate care and assistance in locating the doll. Among the provided options, the most appropriate response would be (C) to offer comfort to the resident and help her look for her baby.
This approach acknowledges the emotional distress experienced by the resident and respects the significance of the doll in her life. Offering comfort aligns with the principles of person-centered care, which is particularly important when dealing with patients who may have cognitive impairments such as dementia.
The other options, like asking where she last had the doll or informing the staff to watch her closely, do not take into consideration the immediate emotional needs of the resident. Comforting the resident and helping her look for the doll provides an opportunity for the nurse aide to engage in therapeutic communication, build trust, and reduce anxiety in the resident.
Lastly, while considering getting another doll may seem helpful, it doesn’t address the attachment the resident has to that specific doll, which may be imbued with specific meaning and memories for her. It is essential to act with empathy and understanding when dealing with such situations, especially as they pertain to the mental health and emotional well-being of residents in care.