Managing Behavioral Symptoms 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 Managing Behavioral Symptoms flashcards as text
A person with Alzheimer's becomes agitated every afternoon around 3 PM. This pattern is best described as:
Answer: Sundowning
Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, or behavioral symptoms that occur in the late afternoon or evening.
Which non-pharmacological approach is MOST effective for redirecting a person with Alzheimer's who is repeatedly asking to go home?
Answer: Engaging them in a familiar, meaningful activity
Redirecting to a familiar, meaningful activity addresses the emotional need behind the request without confrontation or deception that may increase distress.
A caregiver notices that a resident with Alzheimer's becomes combative during bathing. The BEST first step is to:
Answer: Identify and modify specific triggers during the bath routine
Identifying triggers such as water temperature, lighting, or privacy concerns allows caregivers to modify the routine to reduce combativeness.
Repetitive questioning in Alzheimer's disease is MOST commonly driven by:
Answer: Underlying emotional needs such as anxiety or insecurity
Repetitive questions typically reflect emotional states like anxiety, fear, or the need for reassurance rather than intentional behavior.
When a person with Alzheimer's accuses a caregiver of stealing, the MOST therapeutic response is to:
Answer: Acknowledge their feelings and help search for the item together
Validating feelings and assisting in a search addresses the emotional distress without escalating conflict or reinforcing confusion.
Which environmental modification BEST reduces wandering risk for a person with Alzheimer's?
Answer: Placing bold, contrasting colored tape over door handles
Visual cues such as camouflage tape over door handles can reduce a person's perception of exits as departure points, decreasing wandering attempts.
A person with Alzheimer's suddenly becomes more agitated and confused than usual over 24 hours. The caregiver should FIRST suspect:
Answer: An underlying medical condition such as infection or pain
Acute changes in behavior often signal an underlying medical issue such as urinary tract infection, pain, or medication side effect rather than simple disease progression.