For which behavior should a nurse monitor an Alzheimer’s patient experiencing hyperorality?

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Hyperorality refers to a behavior often observed in individuals with certain neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, where there is a compulsion to put objects in the mouth, chew, or examine items orally. This behavior can significantly impact the patient's safety and well-being, making it essential for caregivers to monitor such actions closely.

In this context, monitoring attempts to chew objects is crucial because it can lead to choking hazards or injury if inappropriate items are ingested. Patients may not have the same awareness or ability to discern what is safe to chew; thus, their behavior could put them at risk for choking or other complications if they are not supervised.

By focusing on this behavior, nurses and caregivers can ensure a safer environment for Alzheimer’s patients by preventing harmful situations associated with hyperorality. Other behaviors, while significant in the context of patient care, do not present the immediate physical risks that monitoring attempts to chew objects does. For example, freedom to express feelings is vital for emotional well-being, and choking during meals is a potential outcome of chewing but not a behavior to be directly monitored. Use of physical restraints is a strategy that typically arises in different contexts and isn't a direct behavioral manifestation of hyperorality.

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