The nurse is caring for an elderly client with a history of Alzheimer’s and falls. The nurse understands which to be the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
impaired physical mobility due to dementia with Lewy bodies
Number 1 is correct.
Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis is risk for injury. Client safety is always the priority, especially with a client who has a history of falls and Alzheimer’s or confusion. Impaired skin integrity is an important nursing diagnosis but is not the priority for this client. There is nothing to indicate that this client has altered body image; risk for injury would take priority over altered body image. Impaired physical mobility due to dementia with Lewy bodies is a medical diagnosis, not a nursing diagnosis.