19. Mr. Hyde has Parkinson's disease and has severe tremors, and insists on smoking several × a day. The nursing assistant should:
Answer: C
Ensure Mr. Hyde is attended when he smokes.
Making sure Mr. Hyde is attended when he smokes is essential for his safety, especially given his severe tremors associated with Parkinson's disease. This supervision can help prevent accidents or injuries that could arise from smoking while experiencing tremors.
A) tell him he will have to stop smoking
This option is incorrect because it does not consider Mr. Hyde's autonomy and personal choice regarding smoking. While smoking can pose health risks, simply telling him to stop does not address the immediate need for safety due to his condition.
B) allow him to smoke unattended, when he chooses
Allowing Mr. Hyde to smoke unattended is unsafe due to his severe tremors. This option fails to protect him from potential harm, such as dropping a lit cigarette or causing a fire, which could have serious consequences.
C) make sure he is attended when he smokes
Ensuring that Mr. Hyde is attended while he smokes is the correct approach. This provides the necessary support to manage his tremors effectively and minimizes risks associated with smoking, thereby promoting his safety and well-being.
D) tell his family about his smoking
Informing Mr. Hyde's family about his smoking may be beneficial, but it does not directly address the immediate concern of his safety while smoking. This option lacks the proactive approach needed to ensure he is supervised during the act of smoking.
Conclusion
The correct answer, ensuring Mr. Hyde is attended when he smokes, prioritizes his safety and well-being, which is crucial given his condition. Other options either disregard his autonomy or fail to provide the necessary supervision, potentially putting him at risk. Thus, option C is the most responsible and caring choice in this scenario.