A nurse is conducting an assessment on a patient diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following symptoms is the nurse likely to observe?

Choice A rationale
Introducing oneself after entering the patient’s room is a key aspect of effective communication with a blind patient. This helps the patient identify who is in the room with them.
Choice B rationale
Using a firm, loud voice when addressing the patient is not necessarily effective. While it’s important to speak clearly, raising one’s voice can come off as patronizing or disrespectful. It’s better to speak in a normal tone and adjust as needed based on the patient’s feedback.
Choice C rationale

Lightly touching the patient’s arm can be an effective way to gain their attention, especially if they may not have heard you enter the room. However, it’s important to ask for consent before touching the patient.
Choice D rationale
Providing instructions in clear, simple terms can be very helpful for a blind patient. This can help them understand what is happening and what they need to do.

Choice A rationale
Postoperative delirium is a common condition that can occur in older patients after surgery, especially major procedures like hip arthroplasty. It is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion and altered consciousness. This type of delirium is indeed treatable and most patients’ cognition will return to its previous levels. The treatment often involves addressing the underlying causes, such as pain, medication effects, or metabolic imbalances, and providing supportive care. It’s important for the family to understand that this is a temporary condition and does not indicate a permanent change in their loved one’s mental status.
Choice B rationale
While anesthetics can contribute to postoperative delirium, the condition is usually multifactorial and not solely due to the anesthetic used in surgery. Therefore, administering antidotes to the anesthetic is not typically how postoperative delirium is managed. Instead, the focus is on treating the underlying causes and providing supportive care.
Choice C rationale

Delirium does involve a disturbance in cognition, including memory impairment, but it does not involve a progressive decline in memory loss and overall cognitive function. That description is more characteristic of dementia, a different condition. Delirium is typically a temporary condition that improves once the underlying cause is addressed.
Choice D rationale
While postoperative delirium is often self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own over time, it is not accurate to say there is nothing to worry about. Postoperative delirium can be distressing for the patient and their family, and in some cases, it can be associated with longer hospital stays and increased morbidity. Therefore, it is a condition that should be taken seriously and managed appropriately.