A nurse is caring for a group of clients with dementia. The nurse recognizes which of the following factors as reasons for the growing numbers of clients diagnosed with dementia in the United States?
(Select All that Apply.)

A. Decrease sedation: Decreasing sedation may help reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) by allowing the client to have a more responsive level of consciousness. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. Sedation reduction should be done cautiously to prevent agitation and further increases in ICP.

B. Hyperventilate the client: Hyperventilation is a temporary intervention used to reduce intracranial pressure by inducing cerebral vasoconstriction, which decreases cerebral blood flow and intracranial volume. However, it is typically reserved for acute situations and is not considered a definitive treatment for brain herniation. Prolonged or excessive hyperventilation can lead to cerebral ischemia and should be used cautiously.

C. Lower blood pressure: Lowering blood pressure may help reduce cerebral perfusion pressure, which can mitigate the risk of further brain injury during herniation. However, lowering blood pressure alone is not a direct treatment for brain herniation. It may be part of the overall management strategy to prevent secondary injury.

D. Reduce the temperature in the room: Reducing the temperature in the room, or therapeutic hypothermia, is sometimes used in the management of elevated intracranial pressure and brain injury. Lowering body temperature can reduce metabolic demands and cerebral edema, thereby lowering intracranial pressure. However, it is not a direct treatment for brain herniation and should be implemented cautiously to prevent complications such as shivering and hypotension.

A. Limit exercise to 10 min, 2 days per week. This recommendation is incorrect. Regular physical activity is essential for heart health. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, spread throughout the week.

B. Monitor blood pressure This recommendation is correct. Monitoring blood pressure is an essential aspect of heart disease prevention. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a significant risk factor for heart disease, so regular monitoring allows for early detection and management.

C. Lose weight if necessary. This recommendation is correct. Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if overweight or obese is important for heart disease prevention. Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, increases the risk of heart disease and other health conditions.

D. Eat a diet high in saturated fats. This recommendation is incorrect. A diet high in saturated fats is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Instead, the nurse should encourage a heart-healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

E. Maintain current cholesterol level This recommendation is not entirely accurate. While maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is important for heart health, individuals with high cholesterol levels may need to take steps to lower their cholesterol through lifestyle modifications and, in some cases, medication. Therefore, simply maintaining current cholesterol levels may not be sufficient for heart disease prevention.