CAPS Risk Management & Mitigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When conducting a home assessment for a CAPS client, which fall risk factor is most commonly overlooked during initial walkthroughs?
- Inadequate handrails on stairs
- Throw rugs and loose carpeting on smooth flooring (Correct answer)
- Insufficient exterior lighting
- Absence of grab bars in the bathroom
Correct answer: Throw rugs and loose carpeting on smooth flooring
Throw rugs and loose carpeting are frequently overlooked because they appear decorative and functional, yet they are a leading cause of trip-and-fall injuries among older adults.
Question 2: A CAPS professional discovers that a client's staircase has a 1.5-inch gap between balusters. Under standard safety guidelines, what is the recommended maximum baluster spacing?
- 2 inches
- 4 inches (Correct answer)
- 6 inches
- 3 inches
Correct answer: 4 inches
Building codes and safety guidelines specify a maximum of 4 inches between balusters to prevent entrapment of limbs or the head.
Question 3: Which environmental modification best mitigates the risk of medication errors for an older adult living alone?
- Installing brighter kitchen lighting
- Providing a centralized, labeled medication management system with reminder alerts (Correct answer)
- Adding handrails throughout the home
- Installing a medical alert device
Correct answer: Providing a centralized, labeled medication management system with reminder alerts
A centralized medication management system with labeled compartments and reminder alerts directly addresses the cause of medication errors—confusion about dosing schedules.
Question 4: For a client who has experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which risk mitigation priority should a CAPS professional address FIRST?
- Widening doorways for potential future wheelchair use
- Eliminating fall hazards and improving bathroom safety (Correct answer)
- Upgrading to smart home technology for remote monitoring
- Installing a stair lift
Correct answer: Eliminating fall hazards and improving bathroom safety
TIA survivors have elevated fall risk and are at high risk for a subsequent stroke, making immediate elimination of fall hazards and bathroom safety improvements the highest priority.
Question 5: A CAPS contractor is recommending a curbless shower for a client. Which risk must be mitigated during design to prevent water from spreading to adjacent areas?
- Insufficient water pressure at the showerhead
- Inadequate floor slope toward the drain (Correct answer)
- Use of ceramic rather than porcelain tile
- Lack of a showerhead shutoff valve
Correct answer: Inadequate floor slope toward the drain
A curbless shower must have adequate floor slope (typically 1/4 inch per foot) toward the drain to prevent water from flowing out and creating a slip hazard in adjacent spaces.
Question 6: During a CAPS assessment, a professional notices that a client's home has only one exit on the ground floor with no accessible path to the street. What risk does this primarily represent?
- Security risk from intruders
- Emergency egress risk during fire or disaster (Correct answer)
- ADA compliance risk
- Insurance liability risk
Correct answer: Emergency egress risk during fire or disaster
Limited or inaccessible egress pathways represent a critical emergency egress risk, as older adults with mobility limitations may be unable to evacuate safely.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a 'risk matrix' in CAPS project planning?
- A chart comparing contractor bids for renovation projects
- A tool that prioritizes hazards by likelihood of occurrence and severity of potential harm (Correct answer)
- A checklist of all ADA-compliant modifications for aging-in-place
- A document listing the client's current medications and conditions
Correct answer: A tool that prioritizes hazards by likelihood of occurrence and severity of potential harm
A risk matrix helps CAPS professionals prioritize interventions by evaluating each hazard based on how likely it is to cause an incident and how severe that incident would be.
CAPS Risk Management & Mitigation 2
When conducting a home assessment for a CAPS client, which fall risk factor is most commonly overlooked during initial walkthroughs?