01_Te: Case Study 01.01: Dementia, Delirium, and Depression: Similarities, Differences, and Treatments

What should Mary do to help him?

  • A. Call him by his name, tell him who she is, and assure him that everything will be okay.
  • B. Turn off the vacuum cleaner and move it out of his sight.
  • C. Call his doctor.
  • D. Take the toilet plunger away from Robert.
  • E. A through C

Case Study questions in context:

Choice A: Call him by his name, tell him who she is, and assure him that everything will be okay is a good choice.

  • Caregivers should stay calm, speak slowly and clearly, offer reassuring smiles and words, and repeat things.

Choice B: Turn off the vacuum cleaner and move it out of his sight is also a good choice.

  • Things that can cause injury or distress should calmly be removed while telling the person what you are doing.

Choice C: Call his doctor is another good choice.

  • Delirium is a medical emergency.

Choice D: Take the toilet plunger away from Robert is not a good choice.

  • Robert may see this as a threat and respond with agitation or aggression.

Choice E: Because choice a through C are all good answers, E is the best choice.