Which strategy should the nurse suggest to prevent nighttime wandering in a client who has Alzheimer's?

Which strategy should the nurse suggest to prevent nighttime wandering in a client who has Alzheimer's?

• A. Use sleep medications as needed.
• B. Place a lock at the top of doors leading outside.
• C. Put the client in restraints.
• D. Encourage daytime napping.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is using safety-focused, least-restrictive measures to prevent nighttime wandering in someone with Alzheimer's. Placing a lock at the top of doors leading outside is effective because it directly prevents the person from leaving during the night, reducing the risk of injury or getting lost, while still allowing caregivers to supervise and respond as needed. This approach avoids the harms associated with more intrusive methods: sleep medications can cause sedation, confusion, and falls, and restraints carry serious safety and ethical concerns. Encouraging daytime napping doesn’t reliably prevent wandering at night and can disrupt overall sleep patterns. In practice, combining environmental safety with structured routines and supervision provides a safer, more respectful strategy.

The key idea here is using safety-focused, least-restrictive measures to prevent nighttime wandering in someone with Alzheimer's. Placing a lock at the top of doors leading outside is effective because it directly prevents the person from leaving during the night, reducing the risk of injury or getting lost, while still allowing caregivers to supervise and respond as needed. This approach avoids the harms associated with more intrusive methods: sleep medications can cause sedation, confusion, and falls, and restraints carry serious safety and ethical concerns. Encouraging daytime napping doesn’t reliably prevent wandering at night and can disrupt overall sleep patterns. In practice, combining environmental safety with structured routines and supervision provides a safer, more respectful strategy.