In assessing an older adult, you question his cognitive skills when you notice that

A. Encouraging the client to use a cane when ambulating is a positive preventive measure, promoting stability and support during walking.

B. Keeping the side rails up on the client's bed at night can be concerning.

While it might seem like a safety measure, using side rails can lead to entrapment or falls, especially for frail older adults. Side rails can create a false sense of security, and if the client tries to climb over them or gets caught between the rails, it can result in injury.

C. Keeping several low wattage night lights on in the evening is a good preventive measure, as it helps improve visibility and reduces the risk of falls during nighttime activities.

D. Installing wooden railings on the stairway to the bathroom is a positive preventive measure, enhancing stability and support during stair navigation.

A. Decreased serum albumin levels can be an indicator of protein malnutrition, but it may not reflect overall nutritional status comprehensively. It is more specific to protein status.

B. Decreased vitamin D levels are related to a specific nutrient (vitamin D) and may indicate a deficiency in that vitamin, but it doesn't provide a broad assessment of overall nutritional status.

C. Unintentional weight loss is a key indicator of potential nutritional deficit.

Unintentional weight loss is a significant concern, especially in older adults, as it can be indicative of various underlying health issues, including malnutrition. It is a more general indicator of overall nutritional status.

D. Anorexia lasting more than 24 hours may contribute to weight loss, but it is a symptom rather than a direct measure of nutritional status. Unintentional weight loss encompasses a broader view of changes in body weight that may signal nutritional deficits.