Communication and Emotional Support Flashcards
7 cards from real ACC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Communication and Emotional Support flashcards as text
A person with Alzheimer's becomes tearful when looking at old photographs during a care interaction. The caregiver should:
Answer: Validate the feeling by saying 'It looks like those memories mean a lot to you'
Validating the emotion acknowledges the person's feelings and creates a safe space for reminiscence and emotional expression.
When a person with Alzheimer's becomes verbally aggressive, the caregiver's FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Assess possible unmet needs such as pain, hunger, or fear
Verbal aggression often signals an unmet need; identifying and addressing it is the first-line non-pharmacological intervention.
The goal of validation therapy in Alzheimer's care is to:
Answer: Acknowledge and honor the person's emotional reality
Validation therapy, developed by Naomi Feil, focuses on empathizing with the feelings behind behaviors rather than correcting factual errors.
A caregiver enters the room and the person with Alzheimer's does not recognize them. The caregiver should:
Answer: Introduce themselves calmly by name and role each time
Calm, repeated self-introduction reduces confusion and anxiety without putting pressure on the person to remember.
Which behavior by the caregiver is MOST likely to cause communication breakdown with a person who has Alzheimer's?
Answer: Giving multiple instructions simultaneously
Multiple simultaneous instructions overwhelm processing capacity; single-step directions support better comprehension and cooperation.
When a person with Alzheimer's insists that a deceased spouse is coming to visit, the most therapeutic response is:
Answer: Say 'Tell me about your husband/wife' to engage the emotion
Inviting reminiscence about the loved one honors the emotional connection without requiring the caregiver to confirm or deny the false belief.
Written or visual cues can support communication in Alzheimer's care primarily because:
Answer: Visual processing may remain stronger than auditory processing in some individuals
Some people with Alzheimer's retain stronger visual processing, so pictures, labels, and written reminders can supplement verbal communication effectively.