A nurse plans an educational program for staff of a home health agency specializing in care of the elderly. Which topic is the highest priority to include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pain assessment techniques for older adults. This is the highest priority as pain management is crucial in the care of the elderly to ensure their comfort and well-being. By assessing pain accurately, appropriate interventions can be implemented.
- Choice B (Psychosocial stimulation): While important, it is not as critical as addressing pain, which directly impacts the individual's physical comfort.
- Choice C (Psychiatric advance directives): Important for mental health planning but not as immediately essential as pain assessment in day-to-day care.
- Choice D (Managing disinhibition in dementia): Important but secondary to addressing pain, which has a more immediate impact on the individual's quality of life.
Prioritizing pain assessment ensures holistic care for elderly patients.