Question

an older female client with alzheimers disease is wandering the busy halls of the extended care facility and asks the nurse, \where should i stand for the parade?\ which response should the nurse provide?

anywhere you want to stand as long as you do not get hurt by those in the parade.
you are confused because of all the activity in the hall. there is no parade.
lets go back to the activity room and see what is going on in there.
remember i told you that this is a nursing home and i am your nurse.

Explanation:

Analyze the client's behavior and needs

The client has Alzheimer's disease, is wandering in a busy hallway, and is experiencing a delusion/disorientation ("Where should I stand for the parade?"). The busy hallway is likely overstimulating, contributing to the wandering and confusion.

Evaluate the communication options

• Option 1 ("Anywhere you want...") validates a false reality and fails to address the safety risk of wandering in a busy hall.
• Option 2 ("You are confused...") is confrontational, argumentative, and likely to cause distress or agitation.
• Option 3 ("Let's go back...") gently redirects the client away from the overstimulating hallway to a safe, structured environment without directly arguing about the "parade."
• Option 4 ("Remember I told you...") relies on reality orientation, which is ineffective and frustrating for clients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's.

Select the therapeutic response

Option 3 is the most therapeutic response because it uses redirection to guide the client to a safer, calmer environment while avoiding direct confrontation or reinforcing the delusion.

Answer:

• (A) Anywhere you want to stand as long as you do not get hurt by those in the parade.
• (B) You are confused because of all the activity in the hall. There is no parade.</mcq-correct>
• (C) Let's go back to the activity room and see what is going on in there. (Correct answer)

<mcq-option>(D) Remember I told you that this is a nursing home and I am your nurse.