Family has called you for a 78-year-old female with a history of dementia, because she appears more confused than normal. The primary assessment reveals no life-threatening conditions. Her vital signs are pulse, 88 beats/min; respirations, 22 breaths/min; blood pressure, 134/66 mmHg; and SpO2, 95% on room air. Aside from the dementia, the patient has a history of hypertension, COPD, and breast cancer, which resulted in the removal of her right breast 11 years ago. Lately, she has had an upper respiratory infection and is telling family that she has a headache. Your first question to family should be:
A) "It sounds like the dementia is getting worse, do you agree?"
B) "Do you know if she fell recently and hit her head?"
C) "Is there any possibility of diabetes and a low blood sugar level?"
D) "Does she take any medications for the high blood pressure?"
B) "Do you know if she fell recently and hit her head?"
Health Professions