CDP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CDP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which cultural consideration is MOST important when planning end-of-life care for a person with dementia from a collectivist cultural background? → Recognizing that family group consensus may be the preferred decision-making model
2. 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
3. The DICE approach (Describe, Investigate, Create, Evaluate) is primarily used to: → Structure a problem-solving process for behavioral symptoms of dementia
4. The use of written reminder notes for a person in early-stage dementia is MOST effective when notes are: → Short, simple, and placed in a predictable visible location
5. A certified dementia practitioner is designing an activity program for a resident with advanced dementia. Which outcome measure is most appropriate? → Observed affect, engagement level, and comfort during the activity
6. Which validated tool is commonly used to assess activity preferences and quality of life in people with dementia? → Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS)
7. What is the PRIMARY purpose of continuing education requirements in Activities & Engagement Programming for CDP professionals? → Maintaining current knowledge and competency as the field evolves
8. When should a dementia care team hold a family meeting specifically about nutrition? → When significant unintentional weight loss or feeding difficulties emerge
9. A CDP practitioner notes that a resident with early-stage dementia becomes anxious and restless in the late afternoon. This pattern is referred to as: → Sundowning
10. Which type of memory is typically PRESERVED longest in Alzheimer's disease? → Procedural memory (how to perform skills)
11. In Communication Strategies, what is the FIRST step a CDP professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
12. A resident with dementia repeatedly asks to go home during afternoon hours. What is the best person-centered response? → Explore the emotion behind the request and redirect with a meaningful activity
13. Which practice best preserves the dignity of a person with dementia during assisted feeding? → Sitting at eye level, offering small bites, and following the person's pace
14. In End-of-Life Care Planning, what is the FIRST step a CDP professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
15. Which environmental modification supports greater participation in activities for residents with dementia? → Reducing background noise and providing adequate, glare-free lighting
16. Which type of music intervention has the strongest evidence base for reducing agitation in people with dementia? → Personalized music matched to the individual's era and preferences
17. What is the primary benefit of small group dining areas compared to large cafeterias for persons with dementia? → They reduce sensory overload, improve social interaction, and increase food intake
18. Which pathological hallmark differentiates Alzheimer's disease from other dementias at autopsy? → Amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles
19. A resident with moderate dementia begins hoarding food in their room. The most appropriate response is to: → Explore the underlying anxiety and offer reassurance and small snacks
20. A person with dementia insists on wearing the same outfit every day. The person-centered approach is to: → Purchase duplicates of the preferred outfit and honor the preference
21. Nonverbal cues such as crossed arms or a furrowed brow during care indicate the care partner should: → Pause and acknowledge the person's emotional state before proceeding
22. A hospice nurse asks the CDP to help explain anticipatory grief to a family. The BEST description is: → Grief and mourning that occurs before and in anticipation of an expected death
23. The 'three-foot rule' in dementia care communication refers to: → Getting physically close to the person's level before initiating conversation
24. Which approach is MOST effective when redirecting a person with dementia who is attempting to leave the facility to 'go home'? → Acknowledge their feelings and redirect to a meaningful activity
25. Which sensory stimulation approach is most appropriate for a person with late-stage dementia who has limited verbal communication? → Snoezelen/multi-sensory environment therapy using light, texture, and scent
26. When a person with dementia refuses a bath, the ethical principle of autonomy requires the care team to: → Respect the refusal, attempt alternative hygiene approaches, and document the interaction
27. In which stage of dementia does hospice eligibility typically become appropriate, based on standard clinical criteria? → Late Stage 7 with complications such as aspiration pneumonia or sepsis
28. What is the PRIMARY goal of using a life history or biography tool in dementia care? → To individualize care and enhance communication by knowing the person's background
29. A person with dementia hoards food in their room. The care team's MOST appropriate initial intervention is to: → Assess for underlying causes such as past food insecurity or hunger
30. Which sensory strategy may stimulate appetite in a person with dementia who shows disinterest in eating? → Allowing the person to smell familiar foods before the meal