A nurse is providing teaching to the partner of a client who has Alzheimer's disease and a new prescription for donepezil. Which of the following pieces of information should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Identifying the client's current stage of grief is crucial as it helps tailor the intervention to the client's specific needs. Understanding where the client is in the grieving process allows the nurse to provide appropriate emotional support and resources. It's the foundational step in managing complicated grief, as interventions may vary greatly depending on whether the client is in denial, anger, bargaining, depression, or acceptance.

Choice B reason: While physical activity can be beneficial for overall health and may help in managing symptoms of depression associated with grief, it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first understand the client's emotional state before suggesting specific activities.

Choice C reason: Discussing the use of a spiritual grief counselor can be a valuable part of the healing process for some clients. However, this should come after assessing the client's beliefs and willingness to engage in spiritual counseling. It is not the first step in the care plan.

Choice D reason: Informing the client that feelings of anger are expected is part of educating the client about the grieving process. While it's important to normalize the range of emotions experienced during grief, it is more of a supportive intervention rather than a priority action.

Choice A reason: Initiating hospice care services is generally considered when the client is in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease and has a life expectancy of 6 months or less. Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, rather than curative treatments. It's an option when the disease has significantly progressed, not typically at the time of initial diagnosis.

Choice B reason: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain and is being studied as a potential treatment for improving cognitive status in Alzheimer's patients. However, it is not yet a standard treatment and is considered experimental.

Choice C reason: Barbiturate medications are not typically used to control anxiety in Alzheimer's patients due to the risk of dependency and the potential to worsen cognitive impairment. Other medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are generally preferred for managing anxiety in these patients⁷.

Choice D reason: NMDA receptor antagonists, such as memantine, are medications that can help delay cognitive symptoms in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. They work by regulating the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory, which may be overactive in Alzheimer's disease.