Best NCLEX RN Question Bank Practice Question
You are caring for an acute care adult client in the medical unit who has no history of a psychiatric mental health disorder. This 76 year old client has suddenly and abruptly started to exhibit episodic and intermittent periods of time vacillating between periods of impaired cognition and periods of mental clarity. The client reports to you that they are seeing clowns in their room. This client is dehydrated and has just begun taking an anticholinergic medication. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for this client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The sudden onset of impaired cognition, fluctuating mental status, and visual hallucinations in the context of dehydration and anticholinergic medication use strongly suggests delirium, not dementia or psychosis.
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