In planning care for a client with acute delirium, which intervention should the nurse include?

• A. Keep the client's room dark at night.
• B. Limit the client's need to make decisions.
• C. Provide a high-stimulation environment for the client.
• D. Discourage visitation from the client's family.

Answer: (B)

In delirium care, reducing cognitive load helps prevent further confusion and unsafe decisions. Limiting how much the patient has to decide is important because acute delirium diminishes attention, memory, and judgment, so too many choices can escalate anxiety, distractibility, and risk of harm. By simplifying the environment and routines, you provide stability and orientation, which supports safer, calmer behavior.

Practical ways to apply this include maintaining a predictable daily schedule, offering simple, clear instructions, and making only one or two easy choices when needed. Keep the room calm and well-lit during the day to aid orientation and avoid overstimulation at night. Family presence can be helpful for reassurance and familiarity, aiding reorientation rather than hindrance. Keeping the patient’s environment overly dark, highly stimulating, or restricting family visitation would not support delirium management.