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Ask the patient, “Why are you behaving this way?”: This may be perceived as judgmental or confrontational. Clients with AD may not understand or be able to answer such a question, increasing frustration.

Ask the patient, “Wouldn’t you like to lie down now?”: This is a closed-ended suggestion that doesn’t address the emotional need. It may not be effective in calming the client or redirecting behavior.

Tell the patient, “Just take some deep breaths and calm down.”: While well-meaning, this response may invalidate the client’s feelings and fail to engage or comfort them.

Women get AD more often than men do, so his chances of getting AD are slim: While women have a slightly higher incidence of AD, gender does not significantly influence the risk of inherited early-onset AD. A parent's genetic mutation remains the main risk factor.

The blood test for the ApoE gene to identify this type of AD can predict who will develop it: The ApoE ε4 allele is associated with late-onset AD, not early-onset. Even in late-onset cases, ApoE testing cannot definitively predict who will develop the disease.

This type of AD is not as complex as regular AD, so he does not need to worry about getting AD: Early-onset AD is often more aggressive and highly genetic. Dismissing it as less complex is misleading and potentially harmful.

Post clocks and calendars in the patient’s environment: While helpful in early stages, these tools become less effective in moderate AD as the patient's ability to interpret and use them declines. Routine is more impactful than visual cues at this stage.

Monitor the patient’s activities to maintain a safe patient environment: This is important for safety but does not directly address impaired memory. It is a general safety measure, not a memory-supporting intervention.

Stimulate thought processes by asking the patient questions about recent activities: Asking about recent events can lead to frustration and anxiety in moderate AD, as memory of recent experiences is often lost. This may further highlight deficits rather than help.

The caregiver is also developing signs of AD: These symptoms are non-specific and more indicative of stress or fatigue than early AD. AD cannot be diagnosed based on stress-related symptoms alone.

The caregiver needs a period of respite from care of the patient: While this may be a helpful intervention, it is not the determination the nurse makes—it is a potential solution to the problem, not the assessment itself.

The caregiver should ask other family members to participate in the patient’s care: This is another helpful recommendation but not the primary conclusion the nurse should draw from the described symptoms.

Encourage permanent placement of the patient in a long-term care Alzheimer’s unit: This is a more drastic intervention and may not be necessary at the moderate stage or in the context of temporary respite.

Refer the wife to a home health agency to arrange daily home nursing visits: While this offers some support, it does not provide the caregiver time away from the home to engage socially.

Arrange for hospitalization of the patient for 3 or 4 days so that the wife can visit out-of-town friends: Hospitalization is not appropriate solely for respite; it is intended for acute medical needs, not caregiving relief.

Eating: Most individuals with moderate AD can still eat with minimal assistance, although they may need prompting or supervision.

Walking: Ambulation is usually not significantly affected until later stages of AD.

Dressing: While patients may need cues or assistance with dressing, this is one aspect of overall self-care and not as comprehensive as option 4.