AAC Care Planning & Support Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a person with Alzheimer's refuses to bathe, which approach best aligns with person-centered care planning?
- Insist on the bath immediately to maintain hygiene
- Offer a sponge bath or alternative and respect the person's pace (Correct answer)
- Document refusal and skip hygiene until the next scheduled visit
- Contact the physician to prescribe a sedative before bathing
Correct answer: Offer a sponge bath or alternative and respect the person's pace
Person-centered care respects individual preferences by offering alternatives and adapting routines rather than forcing compliance.
Question 2: Which tool is most commonly used to document an individualized care plan for a person with dementia in a long-term care setting?
- Minimum Data Set (MDS) (Correct answer)
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
- Hachinski Ischemic Score
- Global Deterioration Scale only
Correct answer: Minimum Data Set (MDS)
The MDS is a federally mandated assessment instrument used to develop individualized care plans in nursing facilities.
Question 3: A care partner notices a person with mid-stage Alzheimer's frequently sundowns. Which care plan modification is most appropriate?
- Increase stimulating activities in the late afternoon
- Schedule calming activities and reduce demands in the late afternoon (Correct answer)
- Restrict fluid intake after noon to reduce agitation
- Move the person to a different room each evening
Correct answer: Schedule calming activities and reduce demands in the late afternoon
Reducing demands and providing calming, structured activities in the late afternoon helps minimize sundowning symptoms.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of including life history information in a dementia care plan?
- To satisfy documentation requirements for insurance billing
- To personalize interventions by connecting care to the person's identity and preferences (Correct answer)
- To determine legal decision-making capacity
- To identify genetic risk factors for family members
Correct answer: To personalize interventions by connecting care to the person's identity and preferences
Life history information enables caregivers to tailor activities and communication strategies to the individual's unique background and preferences.
Question 5: When updating a care plan for a person whose Alzheimer's has progressed to late stage, which new focus area becomes most critical?
- Vocational rehabilitation and skill building
- Comfort-focused care and symptom management (Correct answer)
- Cognitive stimulation and memory training
- Community reintegration programs
Correct answer: Comfort-focused care and symptom management
Late-stage care planning shifts to comfort-focused, palliative approaches that prioritize quality of life and symptom management.
Question 6: Which interdisciplinary team member is best suited to address swallowing difficulties in a person with advanced Alzheimer's?
- Certified nursing assistant
- Speech-language pathologist (Correct answer)
- Physical therapist
- Social worker
Correct answer: Speech-language pathologist
Speech-language pathologists specialize in dysphagia assessment and management, making them the appropriate team member for swallowing concerns.
Question 7: A family caregiver reports feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Which support strategy should the care team prioritize first?
- Recommend the caregiver hire a professional replacement immediately
- Connect the caregiver to a support group and respite care resources (Correct answer)
- Suggest the caregiver reduce contact with the person to lower stress
- Provide a list of nursing homes for immediate placement
Correct answer: Connect the caregiver to a support group and respite care resources
Connecting caregivers to support groups and respite care addresses isolation and caregiver burnout while keeping the care relationship intact.
When a person with Alzheimer's refuses to bathe, which approach best aligns with person-centered care planning?