CARE OF COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED RESIDENTS Flashcards
When caring for a confused resident what should a
nursing assistant do?
GIVE SIMPLE DIRECTIONS
When getting dressed, a client always wants to
wear her favorite outfit. What is a good solution?
ASK THE FAMILY TO GET SEVERAL IDENTICAL
OUTFITS
What is an important way to help the resident feel
comfortable in a long-term facility?
PROVIDE SPACE FOR PERSONAL POSSESSIONS
If a resident becomes confused, you should
HELP THE RESIDENT RECOGNIZE FAMILIAR ITEMS.
Some patients may exhibit some “false beliefs” not
supported by facts or reality. This is known as
DELUSION.
Mr. Russell keeps getting up from his wheelchair. In-
stead of using a restraint, you should ask him if
HE NEEDS TO GO TO THE TOILET
Mrs. Johnson, a resident with dementia, loves to
wear her favorite blue plaid shirt with her favorite
green striped pants. What should you do?
RESPECT HER CHOICE OF CLOTHING
A good way to reduce confusion or agitation for
residents with dementia is
FOLLOW A FAMILIAR SCHEDULE EVERY DAY.
The Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) helps caregivers understand how people decline when they have dementia. Of the seven stages, which stage has no
sign of dementia?
Stage 2
A resident is standing in the hallway holding a
bag, and asks the nurse aide when the train is due.
The aide should tell her
WHERE SHE IS, IN A MATTER-OF-FACT TONE OF
VOICE.
The primary reason for combative behavior in a
resident is
CONFUSION.
A resident who has not been discharged insists
she is going home. What should the nurse aide do?
NOTIFY THE CHARGE NURSE IMMEDIATELY
A client with dementia has developed a fear of
taking a shower. What can a nurse aide do?
GIVE A BED BATH AND TRY A SHOWER ON ANOTHER DAY
The end of the day can bring a common behavior
for residents with dementia, called
SUNDOWN SYNDROME.
15.While the nurse aide tries to dress a resident who is
confused, the resident keeps trying to grab a hair-
brush. The nurse aide should
GIVE THE RESIDENT THE HAIRBRUSH TO HOLD
A nurse aide finds a resident looking in the refrigerator at the nurses’ station at 5 a.m. The resident, who is confused, explains that he needs breakfast
before he leaves for work. The best response by the
nurse aide is to
ASK THE RESIDENT ABOUT HIS JOB AND IF HE IS
HUNGRY
Reality orientation therapy should include
ADDRESSING THE RESIDENT BY THEIR PROPER
NAME.
Reality orientation should include
CALLING THE RESIDENT BY HIS NAME.
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease tells the nurse
aide that she smells smoke. The nurse aide should
LOOK AROUND FOR A FIRE.
A confused resident tells you there is a monster in
the closet. The nurse aide should
OPEN THE CLOSET AND SHOW THE RESIDENT
NOTHING IS THERE.
A way to make sure a resident with dementia gets
adequate nutrition is to
OFFER SMALL MEALS AND SNACKS THAT MATCH
THEIR LIMITED ATTENTION SPAN.
Residents with cognitive impairments often have
difficulty sleeping. What can be helpful?
ESTABLISH A BEDTIME SCHEDULE AND MAKE
SURE THE RESIDENTS GO TO BED WITHIN 15
MINUTES OF THAT TIME
If a resident displays paranoid behavior, what is
important for the nurse aide to know?
DELUSIONS ARE A NORMAL PART OF THE
PROGRESSION OF THE DEMENTIA PROCESS
Communication with a resident who has late-
stage dementia or Alzheimer’s includes
SPEAKING ONE- OR TWO-WORD SENTENCES.
A resident with dementia has wandered to another unit. What should the nurse aide say after finding
the resident?
«LET’S WALK BACK TOGETHER, OKAY?.»
If a resident’s behavior becomes combative, the
nurse aide should
COMMUNICATE CALMLY WHILE STEPPING OUT OF
THE WAY.
As dementia progresses, incontinence can become an issue. How can the nurse aide assist?
WATCH FOR SIGNS OF DISCOMFORT SO YOU CAN
TAKE THE RESIDENT TO THE BATHROOM
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease has a baby doll that she carries with her and cares for. When she misplaces the doll, she begins to cry. What should the nurse aide do?
COMFORT THE RESIDENT AS IF THE DOLL WERE
REAL
When caring for a confused resident what should
a nursing assistant do?
GIVE SIMPLE AND DIRECT INSTRUCTIONS
While the nurse aide is giving care to Mr. T., he calls the nurse aide by the name of his son who died several years ago. The nurse aide’s BEST response is to
ASK MR. T ABOUT HIS FAVORITE MEMORIES OF HIS
SON.
A resident has difficulty remembering what day
it is and where they are. How can you best help the
resident?
TELL THE RESIDENT OFTEN WHAT DAY IT IS AND
WHERE THE RESIDENT IS
A 90 year-old resident tells you that his mother is coming to visit on Sunday. What is your most appropriate response?
«ARE YOU WISHING YOU COULD SEE YOUR
MOTHER?»
When you approach a resident with dementia, how should you behave?
WITH A RELAXED AND CHEERFUL MANNER
