CDP CDP Nutrition & Hydration Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why are individuals with dementia at increased risk for dehydration?
- They lose the sensation of thirst (Correct answer)
- They drink too much fluid
- Their kidneys overhydrate them
- They sweat more than others
Correct answer: They lose the sensation of thirst
Dementia impairs the brain's thirst sensation, making individuals unaware they need fluids.
Question 2: Which approach best supports eating independence in a person with moderate dementia?
- Providing finger foods they can self-feed (Correct answer)
- Spoon-feeding all meals to save time
- Restricting meals to one per day
- Offering only liquid nutrition supplements
Correct answer: Providing finger foods they can self-feed
Finger foods allow individuals to self-feed, preserving dignity and independence during meals.
Question 3: What is a common sign of dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) in dementia patients?
- Coughing or choking during meals (Correct answer)
- Eating very quickly
- Requesting extra portions
- Refusing only sweet foods
Correct answer: Coughing or choking during meals
Coughing or choking during eating is a primary indicator of swallowing dysfunction and aspiration risk.
Question 4: Which environmental modification can improve food intake in dementia care?
- Using high-contrast plates to distinguish food from background (Correct answer)
- Serving meals in brightly lit noisy rooms
- Presenting multiple dishes simultaneously
- Reducing meal frequency to two times per day
Correct answer: Using high-contrast plates to distinguish food from background
High-contrast dishware helps individuals with visual-perceptual deficits identify and locate food on the plate.
Question 5: How should a dementia care practitioner respond to a resident who holds food in their mouth (pocketing)?
- Gently prompt swallowing and consult a speech therapist (Correct answer)
- Increase the amount of food offered
- Document the behavior and take no immediate action
- Switch the resident to a regular diet immediately
Correct answer: Gently prompt swallowing and consult a speech therapist
Pocketing is a swallowing safety concern that warrants immediate prompting and a speech-language pathology referral.
Question 6: What is the recommended first-line strategy when a person with dementia refuses meals?
- Offer small, frequent snacks throughout the day (Correct answer)
- Document refusal and withhold the next meal
- Insist on eating by firmly repeating requests
- Immediately initiate a feeding tube evaluation
Correct answer: Offer small, frequent snacks throughout the day
Small, frequent snack offerings accommodate reduced appetite and variable engagement while maintaining caloric intake.
CDP CDP Nutrition & Hydration Care 1
Why are individuals with dementia at increased risk for dehydration?