In a client with Alzheimer’s disease exhibiting hyperorality, what should a nurse monitor for the client's safety?

Monitoring for attempts to eat inedible objects is crucial in a client with Alzheimer’s disease exhibiting hyperorality because hyperorality often leads individuals to put non-food items in their mouths. This behavior poses significant safety risks, as consuming inedible objects can lead to choking, gastrointestinal obstruction, or poisoning. By focusing on this specific behavior, the nurse can implement timely interventions to prevent such hazards, thereby ensuring the client’s safety.

While choking at mealtimes, mouth ulcers, and injuries from hot foods are also important concerns in clients with Alzheimer’s, they stem from different aspects of the disease, such as difficulty swallowing or altered oral hygiene. However, these might not directly relate to the compulsive tendency to consume inedible items. Monitoring for attempts to eat such objects addresses the immediate risk associated with hyperorality and highlights the need for vigilance in a nursing care plan tailored for this particular symptom.