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.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Stereotyped behavior, echopraxia, echolalia, and waxy flexibility are characteristic of the catatonic stage of schizophrenia, not the prodromal stage.
B. Auditory hallucinations, ideas of reference, thought insertion, and broadcasting are positive symptoms that typically emerge during the active stage of schizophrenia.
C. Loose associations, concrete thinking, and neologisms also represent active-phase symptoms and are not typical in the prodromal stage.
D. The prodromal stage is marked by subtle changes in behavior and cognition, including social withdrawal, misinterpretation of events, poor concentration, and preoccupation with unusual thoughts or religion. These signs precede the onset of full-blown psychotic symptoms.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, commonly causes extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) such as muscle stiffness, rigidity, tremors, and sedation, which can make patients feel “robotic.”
B. Headache, watery eyes, and runny nose are not typical side effects of haloperidol; they are more consistent with allergy or upper respiratory symptoms.
C. Mild fever, sore throat, and skin rash could indicate a serious reaction such as agranulocytosis, which is rare and more common with atypical antipsychotics like clozapine.
D. Sweating, nausea, and diarrhea are not primary side effects of haloperidol; they may occur with other medications or conditions but are not typical EPS.
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