ACC Activities of Daily Living 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which food modification is recommended when a person with Alzheimer's has difficulty chewing?
- Provide only liquids
- Offer soft, moist foods cut into small pieces (Correct answer)
- Purée all foods without exception
- Reduce meal frequency to twice daily
Correct answer: Offer soft, moist foods cut into small pieces
Soft, moist, bite-sized foods are easier to chew and swallow while preserving texture variety and meal enjoyment.
Question 2: A person with Alzheimer's refuses to change out of pajamas for several days. The best initial caregiver response is:
- Insist on an immediate change and call the doctor
- Ignore the behavior permanently
- Assess for discomfort or pain that may make changing clothes difficult (Correct answer)
- Document and report to a supervisor without taking any action
Correct answer: Assess for discomfort or pain that may make changing clothes difficult
Refusal to dress may signal pain, skin irritation, or other physical discomfort that should be evaluated before assuming behavioral resistance.
Question 3: During a meal, a person with Alzheimer's becomes agitated and throws food. The most appropriate response is:
- Firmly scold the person to deter the behavior
- Calmly end the meal, redirect to another activity, and offer food later (Correct answer)
- Restrain the person to prevent further throwing
- Raise your voice to regain their attention
Correct answer: Calmly end the meal, redirect to another activity, and offer food later
Calmly ending the meal and redirecting reduces escalation; offering food later ensures nutritional needs are still met.
Question 4: Which of the following best prevents aspiration during feeding assistance for a person with advanced Alzheimer's?
- Feeding quickly to keep the person engaged
- Tilting the person's head backward during swallowing
- Offering small bites and watching for swallowing before the next bite (Correct answer)
- Using a straw for all beverages
Correct answer: Offering small bites and watching for swallowing before the next bite
Small bites with confirmed swallowing between each one reduces aspiration risk in individuals with swallowing difficulties.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of maintaining a consistent daily routine for ADLs in Alzheimer's care?
- To make the caregiver's schedule more convenient
- To reduce confusion and anxiety by creating predictability (Correct answer)
- To limit the person's independence
- To shorten the time spent on care tasks
Correct answer: To reduce confusion and anxiety by creating predictability
Consistent routines reduce anxiety and confusion because the predictable sequence of events supports memory and orientation.
Question 6: A person with Alzheimer's frequently forgets to use toilet paper after toileting. The most appropriate caregiver action is:
- Verbally remind and then prompt with a hand-over-hand technique (Correct answer)
- Place the person in incontinence briefs full-time
- Install a sensor alarm on the toilet
- Document the behavior and take no immediate action
Correct answer: Verbally remind and then prompt with a hand-over-hand technique
Verbal reminders combined with hand-over-hand guidance support task completion while preserving the person's dignity.
Question 7: Which of the following is the LEAST recommended practice when helping a person with Alzheimer's bathe?
- Testing water temperature before the person enters
- Using a hand-held shower head for flexibility
- Leaving the person alone in the bath briefly to get supplies (Correct answer)
- Using gentle, unhurried movements
Correct answer: Leaving the person alone in the bath briefly to get supplies
A person with Alzheimer's should never be left unattended in a bath due to drowning and fall risks.
ACC Activities of Daily Living 3
Which food modification is recommended when a person with Alzheimer's has difficulty chewing?