Final answer:
The nurse should use a combination of written and visual aids, along with repetitive teaching sessions, to help an elderly patient remember how to use an inhaler. Engaging family members for additional support and using memory reinforcement techniques can also be valuable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse's best approach to assisting an elderly patient who is having trouble remembering the steps to use an inhaler is to apply strategies that cater to the patient's learning abilities, given his advanced age and memory challenges. The inclusion of the patient's wife in the teaching sessions is beneficial, but the nurse should consider additional tools such as written instructions, visual aids, and repetitive teaching sessions. Moreover, teaching should be tailored to the patient's cognitive abilities, which might include simplifying instruction steps and allowing for additional time during teaching sessions. Additionally, involving the patient's family members, such as the daughter who visits in the evenings, can ensure that the patient receives reinforcement of the instructions outside of the teaching sessions. This can include having the family members present during teaching times, so they can assist and remind the patient of the steps when the nurse is not available. Patient engagement can also be enhanced by using the three-word recall test or asking the patient to recall steps after a short interval to reinforce learning. The presence of the patient's family during teaching can also help bridge any communication gaps and provide a support system for the patient to rely on when the nurse is not present. With the aging population often experiencing memory loss, as seen with Rosa and similar case studies, it is crucial to adapt to their unique needs when providing medical education and care.