Which nursing intervention is most important to ensure the safety of a client with moderate to severe dementia during bathing?

The most important nursing intervention for ensuring the safety of a client with moderate to severe dementia during bathing is to never allow the client to remain in the tub alone. Clients with dementia may have impaired judgment and cognitive function, which can increase their risk of accidents while bathing. By remaining present, the caregiver can monitor the client's safety, assist them if they become disoriented or unstable, and quickly respond to any emergencies that may arise. This constant supervision helps prevent falls, drowning, or any other incidents that could pose a significant risk to the client's health and safety.

While checking the bathing water temperature is important to prevent burns, and privacy during bathing can help maintain dignity, the priority must always be the immediate safety of the client. Similarly, although removing barriers like scatter rugs can help mitigate risks, ensuring that the client is never left alone in the tub addresses the most pressing concern for someone with cognitive impairments.