The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with Severe Intellectual Disability. Which of the following characteristics should the nurse recognize to be associated with Severe Intellectual Disability?

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should prioritize the safety and well-being of both clients involved. Assisting the client with late-stage Alzheimer's disease to the correct room is important to prevent any further confusion or distress. Alzheimer's disease often causes cognitive impairment, memory loss, and disorientation, which can lead to situations where the individual may not recognize their surroundings or the people around them. Guiding the client back to their own room will help reduce confusion, agitation, and potential conflicts with other clients.

Choice B rationale:

Medicating the patient with antipsychotics is not the most appropriate initial action in this situation. Antipsychotic medications are often used to manage severe behavioral disturbances associated with conditions like schizophrenia or dementia, but their use should be carefully considered due to potential side effects. In this scenario, addressing the immediate situation and guiding the client back to their room is more appropriate than resorting to medication.

Choice C rationale:

Moving the client to a room at the end of the hall is not the best choice because it doesn't directly address the current situation. While changing the client's room might be considered in some cases to reduce agitation or wandering, it's not the immediate action needed when the client is found in another client's bed. Guiding the client to the correct room is the priority.

Choice D rationale:

Placing the client in restraints is not an appropriate choice in this situation. Restraints should only be used as a last resort for ensuring the safety of the client or others when less restrictive interventions have failed. Placing a client with Alzheimer's disease in restraints can be traumatic and lead to increased agitation and psychological distress.

The correct answer is choice C. Pseudoparkinsonism.

Choice A rationale:

Tardive dyskinesia is a long-term side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often around the mouth, such as lip-smacking, tongue protrusion, and chewing movements. It does not typically present with impaired gait and tremors.

Choice B rationale:

Acute dystonia involves sudden, severe muscle contractions, often affecting the neck, face, and back. Symptoms include twisting movements and abnormal postures, but it does not usually cause impaired gait and tremors.

Choice C rationale:

Pseudoparkinsonism is an adverse effect of antipsychotic medications that mimics the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, tremors, and postural instability. The impaired gait and uncontrollable tremors observed by the nurse are characteristic signs of pseudoparkinsonism.

Choice D rationale:

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medications. It presents with symptoms such as high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction (e.g., unstable blood pressure, sweating). It does not typically present with impaired gait and tremors.