What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with delirium who has fluctuating levels of consciousness, disturbed orientation, and perceptual alterations?

A. Possible child abuse is the most likely assessment. The presence of numerous bruises and the mother's vague, inconsistent details about the falls are concerning and may indicate that the child is being abused. Children at this age may sustain some bumps or bruises due to falls, but repeated and unexplained injuries, especially if the mother provides few details, should raise suspicion. The nurse should report this concern to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
B. Knowledge deficit pertaining to home safety could be a possibility if the mother is unaware of safety precautions in the home, but the vague and inconsistent explanation of the injuries makes this less likely. A knowledge deficit would typically present with more specific concerns and less concern for frequent injury.
C. A child with delayed milestones does not explain the frequent bruises or the vague details provided by the mother. While developmental delays can occur in some children, they are unlikely to account for such a pattern of injuries.
D. Normal behavior for a 2-year-old typically involves some bumps and bruises, but frequent falls resulting in numerous bruises are not considered normal. Most 2-year-olds are still learning motor skills, but they should not be falling down stairs repeatedly.

A. Patient will remain safe in the environment is the priority outcome in both delirium and dementia scenarios. In both conditions, the patient is at an increased risk of harm due to confusion, misinterpretation of reality, and impaired judgment. Ensuring the patient's safety is the first and foremost concern. This could involve managing the patient's environment, preventing falls, using safety measures like bed alarms, and ensuring that wandering is minimized.
B. Patient will acknowledge reality is a desirable goal but not the immediate priority in these cases. In delirium, the patient's altered reality is typically reversible once the underlying cause is addressed. In dementia, reality orientation may be difficult or impossible to fully achieve, so safety is more important.
C. Patient will communicate verbally is important, but in these cases, the patient's safety is more critical. Communication abilities may vary depending on the severity of the delirium or dementia, and focusing on verbal communication may not address the more immediate need for safety.
D. Patient will participate actively in self-care is an important goal for promoting independence, but in the case of delirium and dementia, ensuring the patient's safety must be prioritized first, as these conditions may impair the patient's ability to perform self-care activities safely.