Which nursing care approach is recommended for a patient with Alzheimer's disease?

• A. Protect the patient from injury, monitor fluid and nutrition, maintain exercise routines, support social interaction and intellectual activity, speak calmly, provide orienting material, offer meaningful sensory input without overstimulation, monitor medications and effects, and connect with resources and support groups
• B. Withhold fluids and nutrition to manage symptoms.
• C. Isolate the patient to prevent stimulation.
• D. Disregard caregiver involvement in care planning.

Answer: (A)

A holistic, person-centered approach is essential because Alzheimer's affects safety, daily functioning, mood, and cognition, so care must address the whole person and their support network. Protecting the patient from injury helps prevent harm from wandering or confusion, while careful monitoring of fluids and nutrition keeps energy and thinking stable. Keeping an appropriate exercise routine supports physical health, sleep, and mood, and encouraging social interaction and intellectual activity helps maintain function and quality of life. Speaking calmly reduces anxiety and misinterpretation, and providing orienting materials like calendars, clocks, and photos helps reduce confusion and reinforce familiarity. Offering meaningful sensory input—such as familiar music or reminiscence activities—at a level that doesn’t overwhelm the person supports engagement without overstimulation. Regularly reviewing medications for safety and effects avoids adverse reactions and interactions, and connecting with resources and support groups gives both patient and caregivers practical help and emotional support.

Choices that withhold fluids and nutrition are unsafe and detrimental. Isolating the patient to prevent stimulation deprives them of needed social contact and can worsen agitation. Disregarding caregiver involvement ignores essential support, planning, and continuity of care.