Patient Profile Mr. D. is a 79-vear-old man whose wife noticed that he has become increasingly forgetful over the past 3 years. Recently he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Subjective Data Wanders out of the
Patient Profile Mr. D. is a 79-vear-old man whose wife noticed that he has become increasingly forgetful over the past 3 years. Recently he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Subjective Data Wanders out of the house at night States that he “sees things that aren’t there” Is able to dress. bathe. and feed himself Has trouble figuring out how to use his electric razor His wife is distressed about his cognitive decline His wife says she is depressed and can’t watch him at night and get rest herself Objective Data CT scan: moderate cerebral atrophy Critical Thinking Questions 1. What pathophysiologic changes are associated with Alzheimer’s disease? 2. How is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease made? 3. What progression of symptoms should Mr. D.’s wife be told to expect over the course of the disease? 4. What suggestions can the nurse make to relieve some of the stress on the wife? 5. What community resources might be available to Mr. D. and his wife? 6. Based on the assessment data presented, write one or more appropriate nursing diagnoses for Mr. D. Are there any collaborative problems? 7. Based on the assessment data presented, write one or more appropriate nursing diagnoses for Mr. D.’s wife. Are there any collaborative problems?
