CDP CDP Legal & Regulatory Frameworks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'least restrictive alternative' mean in dementia care regulations?
- Using the intervention that limits freedom the least while still ensuring safety (Correct answer)
- Allowing all behaviors without any intervention
- Applying physical restraints before trying other strategies
- Restricting all activities to prevent falls
Correct answer: Using the intervention that limits freedom the least while still ensuring safety
Regulations require that care interventions impose the minimum necessary restriction on a person's freedom while addressing safety needs.
Question 2: Under federal nursing home regulations, chemical restraints are defined as:
- Medications used to discipline residents or for staff convenience rather than treatment (Correct answer)
- Any sedative medication prescribed by a physician
- PRN medications for pain management
- Antibiotics given without consent
Correct answer: Medications used to discipline residents or for staff convenience rather than treatment
Chemical restraints are medications administered not for a medical purpose but to control behavior or convenience care staff, which is prohibited.
Question 3: Which federal agency oversees the certification and inspection of Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities?
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (Correct answer)
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Joint Commission only
- State medical licensing boards
Correct answer: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS sets the Conditions of Participation for nursing facilities and oversees state survey agencies that conduct inspections.
Question 4: What is the role of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman in dementia care?
- Investigating and resolving complaints on behalf of nursing facility residents (Correct answer)
- Providing direct nursing care to residents
- Conducting criminal background checks on staff
- Billing Medicare on behalf of facilities
Correct answer: Investigating and resolving complaints on behalf of nursing facility residents
The LTC Ombudsman Program, established under the Older Americans Act, advocates for resident rights and investigates complaints.
Question 5: A person with mild dementia wants to participate in decisions about their own care plan. How should a CDP support this?
- Include them in care plan meetings and use plain language to explain options (Correct answer)
- Exclude them because they may become confused
- Defer all decisions to family to avoid distressing the resident
- Wait until the person has no dementia symptoms before involving them
Correct answer: Include them in care plan meetings and use plain language to explain options
Even with mild dementia, individuals retain the right to participate in their care; practitioners must adapt communication to support meaningful involvement.
Question 6: Which document specifically outlines a person's wishes regarding CPR and mechanical ventilation at end of life?
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order (Correct answer)
- Power of attorney for finances
- Facility admission agreement
- Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment
Correct answer: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order
A DNR order is a physician-signed directive specifying that CPR and certain life-sustaining interventions should not be initiated.
CDP CDP Legal & Regulatory Frameworks 2
What does the term 'least restrictive alternative' mean in dementia care regulations?