An elderly patient is admitted with delirium secondary to a urinary tract infection. "The family asks whether the patient will recover?" What would be the nurses' best answer?
"Unfortunately, delirium is a progressively disabling disorder."
"The confusion will probably get better as we treat the infection.
The health care provider is the best person to answer your question."
"I will be glad to contact the chaplain to talk with you."
The Correct Answer is B
A. Delirium is usually acute and reversible, especially when caused by an underlying condition like a UTI.
B. Delirium in elderly patients is often secondary to an acute illness such as a urinary tract infection. Treatment of the underlying cause typically resolves the confusion, so this statement provides accurate and reassuring information to the family.
C. While the provider can give a formal prognosis, the nurse can provide evidence-based, general information about delirium recovery.
D. While supportive, this does not address the family’s question about recovery.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. This statement is confrontational and asks why, which can escalate agitation rather than calm the patient.
B. This response is clear, firm, and sets limits on unsafe behavior while offering support. It reassures the patient that the nurse will maintain safety, but in a therapeutic, non-punitive way.
C. This is judgmental and blaming, which is not therapeutic and may increase hostility.
D. Threatening seclusion immediately without first trying therapeutic limit-setting escalates fear and aggression. Seclusion is a last resort after other interventions fail.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of care and resources. The nurse is concerned about whether patients exhibiting similar behaviors (self-mutilation) are being treated consistently and fairly, which directly relates to the principle of justice.
B. Fidelity involves keeping promises and commitments to patients, which is not the primary concern in this scenario.
C. Beneficence involves acting in the patient’s best interest to promote well-being. While relevant to care decisions, the main ethical issue here is fairness between patients.
D. Autonomy involves respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions, which is not the central issue in comparing the care of two patients.
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