Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has Alzheimer's disease and becomes agitated while refusing morning hygiene care. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a. Talk to the client from 2 arm-lengths away.
b. Obtain assistance to restrain the client for safety.
c. Firmly state to the client that morning care will be performed.
d. Call the provider to request a prescription for antipsychotic medication.

Answer 1

In a situation where a client with Alzheimer's becomes agitated, the nurse should respect their personal space and speak from a safe distance. The side effects of haloperidol often involve motor control and can be attributed to its action on the dopamine pathways in the basal ganglia and related structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient exhibiting agitation while refusing morning hygiene care due to Alzheimer's disease requires a sensitive and understanding approach. The best action for the nurse to take in this situation is to talk to the client from 2 arm-lengths away. This distance ensures the client's personal space is respected, which can help reduce agitation. For the additional question regarding the regions of the nervous system likely to be affected by haloperidol side effects, one would focus on the basal ganglia and related structures responsible for motor control. Haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication, can affect dopamine pathways in the brain, leading to potential side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), which include Parkisonism, dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia.