A nurse is caring for a client who is having difficulty sleeping and is pacing the floor. The client's head down, and he is wringing his hands. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. "Tell me what is concerning you."

This response is the most therapeutic option. It invites the spouse to share their concerns and feelings, showing empathy and active listening. It opens the door for effective communication and understanding the spouse's perspective.

B. "Your husband is making really good progress."

While this response provides information about the husband's progress, it doesn't directly address the spouse's concerns or feelings. The spouse's emotional state needs to be acknowledged and explored before discussing the husband's progress.

C. "Did your husband say something to upset you?"

This response makes an assumption that the husband said something to upset the spouse. It might come across as accusatory or dismissive of the spouse's feelings. It's important to give the spouse the opportunity to express their emotions in their own words.

D. "Crying helps us let things out and we feel better."

This response offers a general statement about crying, but it doesn't directly address the spouse's concerns or invite further conversation. While it's true that crying can be cathartic, the focus here should be on understanding the spouse's specific worries.

A. The partner has placed locks at the top of the doors leading to the outside:

Explanation: Placing locks at the top of doors leading outside is a safety measure to prevent the person with Alzheimer's disease from wandering or getting lost. While this does show that the partner is taking proactive steps to ensure the client's safety, it is not necessarily indicative of caregiver role strain.

B. The partner has hired a house cleaner:

Explanation: Hiring a house cleaner can be a sign of caregiver role strain. Caregivers often become overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease, and hiring help for household tasks can be an indication that they are finding it challenging to manage everything on their own.

C. The partner has lost 20 lb in the past 2 months:

Explanation: Rapid weight loss can be a sign of caregiver stress or burnout. The emotional and physical demands of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can lead to neglect of one's own well-being, including proper nutrition and self-care.

D. The partner redirects the client when the client is frustrated:

Explanation: While redirecting the client when they're frustrated shows that the partner is using appropriate strategies to manage challenging behaviors associated with Alzheimer's disease, this observation doesn't necessarily indicate caregiver role strain.