Question

A geriatric client is admitted to acute care following a fall. The client is only able to provide a name during the admission phase. The caretaker reports that the client is usually alert and oriented and expresses concern about the client's confusion. Which response is most appropriate?

"The client may have bumped his/her head in the fall." "Depression can cause confusion in older adult clients." "Stress related to an unfamiliar situation can cause short-term confusion in older adult clients." "Altered long-term memory can be sudden."

Answer 1

Stress related to an unfamiliar situation can cause short-term confusion in older clients, but one must consider acute conditions such as head injury as well as the potential onset of cognitive impairments like dementia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate response to the caretaker's concerns about an elderly client's confusion following a fall is that stress related to an unfamiliar situation can cause short-term confusion in older adult clients. This can be due to the sudden change in environment, the stress from the fall, and potential acute medical conditions such as a mild head injury. Other possible causes for confusion include the onset of a cognitive impairment or a physiological response to an infection or illness. Given the scenario that the client is usually alert and oriented, acute causes of confusion should be prioritized. However, in the broader context of elderly care, it is important to evaluate for chronic conditions that might manifest with cognitive decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease. These conditions can present with symptoms like memory loss, confusion, difficulty managing tasks, or personality changes. Assessments and tests by healthcare professionals are necessary to determine the underlying cause.