A nurse is teaching a family caregiver about validation therapy for a client with Lewy body dementia who often hallucinates.

Which of the following statements by the caregiver indicates understanding of the teac

The correct answer is B.

Provide positive reinforcement when the client behaves appropriately.This is because positive reinforcement can help increase the frequency of desired behaviors and reduce the occurrence of inappropriate behaviors in clients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) who exhibit disinhibition.Disinhibition is a common symptom of behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), which is characterized by a deterioration in cognition and social behavior.

Choice A is wrong because restricting the client’s social interactions to prevent embarrassment can lead to social isolation, depression, and loss of self-esteem.Clients with FTD need social support and stimulation to maintain their quality of life.

Choice C is wrong because using physical restraints when the client becomes agitated or aggressive can increase the risk of injury, infection, and psychological distress.Physical restraints should only be used as a last resort when other interventions have failed and the client poses a serious threat to themselves or others.

Choice D is wrong because administering antipsychotic medications to control the client’s impulses can have adverse effects such as sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms, metabolic syndrome, and increased mortality.Antipsychotic medications should be used with caution and only when non-pharmacological interventions are insufficient or contraindicated.

Normal ranges for vital signs, blood tests, and other parameters are not applicable in this question.

A. Restrict the client’s social interactions to prevent embarrassment.

B. Provide positive reinforcement when the client behaves appropriately.

C. Use physical restraints when the client becomes agitated or aggressive.

D. Administer antipsychotic medications to control the client’s impulses.

The correct answer is A.

“I should acknowledge my loved one’s feelings and try to redirect their attention.” This statement indicates understanding of validation therapy, which is a way to approach older adults with empathy and understanding.

Validation therapy focuses on helping the person work through the emotions behind challenging behaviors, such as hallucinations, by listening, acknowledging, and rephrasing their feelings.Validation therapy also involves using reminiscence, sensory stimulation, and redirection to engage the person in a meaningful way.

Choice B is wrong because it contradicts validation therapy.

Confronting the person’s hallucinations and explaining that they are not real can increase their anxiety, confusion, and agitation.It can also damage the trust and rapport between the caregiver and the person with dementia.

Choice C is wrong because it also goes against validation therapy.

Ignoring the person’s hallucinations and changing the topic of conversation can make them feel dismissed, invalidated, and isolated.It can also prevent them from expressing and resolving their emotions.

Choice D is wrong because it is not part of validation therapy.

Agreeing with the person’s hallucinations and pretending that you see them too can reinforce their delusions and make them more persistent.It can also confuse the person and make them doubt your honesty and credibility.

Lewy body dementia is a progressive dementia that results from protein deposits in nerve cells of the brain.

It affects movement, thinking skills, mood, memory, and behavior.It is characterized by fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, parkinsonian symptoms, sleep disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction.

A. “I should acknowledge my loved one’s feelings and try to redirect their attention.” B.

“I should confront my loved one’s hallucinations and explain that they are not real.” C.

“I should ignore my loved one’s hallucinations and change the topic of conversation.” D.

“I should agree with my loved one’s hallucinations and pretend that I see them too.”