A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who has autism spectrum disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)

A. Give the client a cup of hot black tea before bed: Consuming caffeinated beverages such as black tea before bed can interfere with sleep and exacerbate sleep disturbances. This instruction is not appropriate for addressing sleep issues in Alzheimer's disease.

B. Wake the client at the same time each morning: Maintaining a consistent wake-up time can help regulate the client's sleep-wake cycle and promote better sleep hygiene. Consistency in waking time is an important aspect of managing sleep disturbances in Alzheimer's disease.

C. Take the client for a walk 2 hours before bedtime each night: Engaging in physical activity during the day, including taking a walk, can promote better sleep patterns. However, engaging in vigorous physical activity close to bedtime may have the opposite effect and disrupt sleep.

D. Allow the client to take a 90-min nap immediately after lunch: While brief daytime naps may be beneficial for some individuals with Alzheimer's disease, allowing a 90-minute nap immediately after lunch may interfere with the client's ability to consolidate nighttime sleep and worsen sleep disturbances.

A. Cognitive reframing:

Cognitive reframing involves helping individuals change their perspective or interpretation of a situation to see it in a more positive or balanced light. While this technique can be helpful in various situations, it may not be suitable for addressing delusions or misconceptions in clients with dementia who firmly believe in their reality, such as the client who perceives a doll as her infant child.

B. Thought stopping:

Thought stopping is a cognitive-behavioral technique used to interrupt or stop intrusive or distressing thoughts. It typically involves mentally or verbally interrupting negative thoughts with a cue word or phrase. However, this technique may not be effective for addressing the belief of a client with dementia that a doll is her infant child because it does not acknowledge or validate the client's reality.

C. Validation therapy:

Validation therapy is a person-centered approach that acknowledges and validates the emotions and experiences of individuals with dementia, even if their perceptions do not align with objective reality. It involves empathetic listening, validation of emotions, and entering the individual's reality to provide comfort and support. This approach can help reduce agitation and distress in clients with dementia and foster a therapeutic connection between the client and the caregiver.

D. Operant conditioning:

Operant conditioning is a behavior modification technique based on the principles of reinforcement and punishment to strengthen or weaken behaviors. While it may be used to modify behaviors in some situations, it is not typically employed to address delusions or misconceptions in clients with dementia. Using operant conditioning techniques with a client who believes a doll is her infant child would not address the underlying emotional needs or provide therapeutic support for the client's reality.