The nurse is assessing orientation in a 79-year-old patient. Which of these responses would lead the nurse to conclude that this patient is oriented?

A) "I know my name is John. I couldn't tell you where I am. I think it is 2010, though."
B) "I know my name is John, but to tell you the truth, I get kind of confused about the date."
C) "I know my name is John; I guess I'm at the hospital in Spokane. No, I don't know the date."
D) "I know my name is John. I am at the hospital in Spokane. I couldn't tell you what date it is, but I know that it is February of a new year-2010."

Question

Martin Vargas · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : D, Explanation :  Many aging people experience social isolation, loss of structure without a job, a change in residence, or some short-term memory loss. These factors affect orientation, and the person may not provide the precise date or complete name of the agency. You may consider aging people oriented if they generally know where they are and the present period. They should be considered oriented to time if the year and month are correctly stated. Orientation to place is accepted with the correct identification of the type of setting (e.g., hospital) and the name of the town.

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