An elderly client is admitted to the hospital looking unkempt, with dirty clothing, and she smells of urine.
The nurse is aware this may be:

This is because the nurse should not make assumptions about the family’s functionality based on their history or situation, but rather gather more information to identify their strengths and needs.

Choice A is wrong because it implies that the teenager is a problem and the mother is incapable of managing him, which is disrespectful and judgmental.

Choice C is wrong because it assumes that the mother is stressed and needs coping skills, which may not be true.

Choice D is wrong because it suggests that the mother is financially dependent on her son, which is not relevant to the question.

Neglect refers to the refusal or failure to provide an elderly person with necessary care, such as food, water, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, and other essentials of daily living. Signs and symptoms of neglect in elders can include: dehydration, malnutrition, bed sores, fractures, urinary tract infections, contractures, over-medication, elopements, and poor personal hygiene. An elderly client who is admitted to the hospital looking unkempt, with dirty clothing, and smelling of urine may be suffering from neglect by a caregiver or by themselves (self-neglect).

Choice A is wrong because institutionalism is not a type of elder abuse but a term that describes the loss of individuality and autonomy that can occur in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

Choice C is wrong because emotional abuse is the infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation, or other abusive conduct. Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in elders can include: depression, confusion, withdrawal, isolation from friends and family. An elderly client who smells of urine may not necessarily be emotionally abused.

Choice D is wrong because stubborn behavior is not a type of elder abuse but a personality trait that may or may not be present in an elderly person.

Stubborn behavior does not indicate any harm or neglect inflicted upon an older adult by others or themselves.