What intervention should a nurse implement when an older male diagnosed with dementia is observed masturbating in the unit's dayroom?

A. Remove the resident from the dayroom and complete an assessment of his behavior: Once privacy is ensured, the nurse should assess possible triggers such as boredom, overstimulation, discomfort, or unmet physical needs, since sexual behaviors in dementia often result from confusion rather than intent. B. Cover the resident’s lap with a blanket and leave him in the dayroom: Simply covering the resident does not address the underlying cause of the behavior and leaves him in a public setting where his dignity and the comfort of others may continue to be compromised. C. Counsel the resident by telling him that his behavior is inappropriate: Attempting to reason or reprimand a person with dementia is ineffective due to cognitive impairment. Such an approach can increase agitation or shame without resolving the behavior or its underlying cause. D. Distract the resident so that he will stop the behavior: Distraction may temporarily redirect attention, but it does not provide privacy or ensure that the resident’s needs are assessed. Without evaluation, the behavior may recur because the root cause remains unaddressed.