A home health nurse is making a home visit to a client who has Alzheimer's disease and the client's partner. Which of the following observations indicates to the nurse that the partner is experiencing caregiver role strain?
The partner has placed locks at the top of the doors leading to the outside.
The partner redirects the client when the client is frustrated.
The partner has hired a house cleaner.
The partner has lost 25 lbs in the past 3 months.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D: "The partner has lost 25 lbs in the past 3 months."
Choice D rationale:
This choice is the correct answer because significant weight loss in a caregiver, such as the partner of a client with Alzheimer's disease, is indicative of caregiver role strain. Caregiver role strain refers to the physical, emotional, and psychological stress experienced by caregivers due to the demands of providing care for a loved one. Weight loss in this context suggests that the partner's own health and well-being are being compromised due to the caregiving responsibilities.
Choice A rationale:
This choice might be related to safety concerns and trying to prevent the client from wandering, but it does not directly indicate caregiver role strain. Placing locks at the top of doors is a common safety measure to prevent clients with Alzheimer's disease from wandering and getting lost.
Choice B rationale:
This choice is actually a positive observation. Redirecting a frustrated client is a helpful and appropriate caregiving strategy. It indicates that the partner is actively engaged in managing the client's behavior and emotions, which is not a sign of caregiver role strain.
Choice C rationale:
Hiring a house cleaner is a practical decision and could be a sign of the partner's effort to manage their caregiving responsibilities more effectively. While it might imply a certain level of stress, it doesn't directly point to caregiver role strain as much as the significant weight loss does.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"This is supposed to happen when you get old, right?" is a common misconception but doesn't necessarily support the diagnosis of delirium. It could be attributed to normal aging changes.
Choice B rationale:
"Since his mother died, he has not been feeling well." indicates a potential stressor but doesn't directly address the rapid onset of behavioral changes, which is a hallmark of delirium.
Choice C rationale:
"My husband just didn't seem to know what he was doing. He has been forgetful for years." suggests a history of forgetfulness rather than an acute change in behavior, which is more indicative of chronic cognitive issues like dementia.
Choice D rationale:
(Correct) "The changes in his behavior came on so quickly! I wasn't sure what was happening." This statement supports the diagnosis of delirium, which is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion and changes in cognitive function. Delirium often develops rapidly, and the client's wife's observation aligns with this diagnostic criterion.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Bizarre behavior is not a negative symptom of schizophrenia but rather a positive symptom. Positive symptoms involve an excess or distortion of normal functioning and include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or behavior. Bizarre behavior falls under the category of disorganized behavior, which is a positive symptom.
Choice B rationale:
Waxy flexibility is a characteristic of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Negative symptoms involve a reduction or loss of normal functioning and include behaviors like social withdrawal, reduced emotional expression, and decreased motivation. Waxy flexibility refers to the phenomenon where a person with schizophrenia can be molded into different positions and maintain those positions for an extended period. This rigidity is a manifestation of reduced spontaneous movement, which is a negative symptom.
Choice C rationale:
Somatic delusions are a type of positive symptom seen in schizophrenia. These delusions involve false beliefs about one's body, health, or bodily functions. They are not negative symptoms, which are characterized by deficits in normal functioning.
Choice D rationale:
Illogicality is related to disorganized thinking, which is a positive symptom of schizophrenia. Individuals experiencing disorganized thinking may have difficulty organizing their thoughts coherently and logically, leading to speech that is difficult to follow. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, involve a decrease in normal functioning and do not pertain to logical coherence.
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