CDP Behavioral Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dementia becomes agitated every evening around 4-6 PM. This pattern is best described as:
- Sundowner's syndrome (Correct answer)
- Catastrophic reaction
- Perseveration
- Elopement behavior
Correct answer: Sundowner's syndrome
Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral disturbances that occur in the late afternoon and evening hours.
Question 2: When a person with dementia repeatedly asks the same question despite being answered, the best response is to:
- Remind them they already asked that question
- Answer calmly each time as if it were the first time (Correct answer)
- Redirect them to a written note with the answer
- Ask them why they keep asking the same thing
Correct answer: Answer calmly each time as if it were the first time
Answering patiently each time respects the person's experience since they genuinely do not remember asking, reducing distress.
Question 3: Which environmental modification most effectively reduces wandering in a memory care unit?
- Installing bright fluorescent lighting at exits
- Disguising exit doors with murals or camouflage panels (Correct answer)
- Placing 'No Exit' signs at eye level on doors
- Locking all interior doors during nighttime hours
Correct answer: Disguising exit doors with murals or camouflage panels
Camouflaging exit doors with murals or mirrors reduces the visual cue that triggers elopement attempts in people with dementia.
Question 4: A non-pharmacological first-line intervention for sleep disturbances in dementia includes:
- Prescribing benzodiazepines at bedtime
- Increasing daytime physical activity and light exposure (Correct answer)
- Limiting fluid intake after noon
- Administering melatonin at high doses
Correct answer: Increasing daytime physical activity and light exposure
Structured daytime activity and natural light exposure help regulate circadian rhythms and improve nighttime sleep.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'catastrophic reaction' in dementia care?
- A sudden fall resulting in injury
- An overwhelming emotional outburst triggered by overstimulation or frustration (Correct answer)
- A rapid cognitive decline over 24 hours
- Refusal to eat for more than three consecutive meals
Correct answer: An overwhelming emotional outburst triggered by overstimulation or frustration
A catastrophic reaction is an intense emotional or behavioral response disproportionate to the trigger, caused by the person's inability to process overwhelming demands.
Question 6: The DICE approach (Describe, Investigate, Create, Evaluate) is primarily used to:
- Assess cognitive decline using standardized testing
- Structure a problem-solving process for behavioral symptoms of dementia (Correct answer)
- Train caregivers in medication administration
- Document incident reports in long-term care
Correct answer: Structure a problem-solving process for behavioral symptoms of dementia
DICE is a structured clinical framework developed to identify causes of behavioral symptoms and implement individualized non-pharmacological interventions.
Question 7: A person with dementia refuses to bathe and becomes combative when approached. The most appropriate initial intervention is to:
- Document refusal and skip bathing until the next scheduled day
- Assess for pain, discomfort, or fear that may be driving the refusal (Correct answer)
- Ask a physician to prescribe a sedative before bathing
- Assign a different caregiver to try immediately after refusal
Correct answer: Assess for pain, discomfort, or fear that may be driving the refusal
Identifying underlying causes such as pain, cold, or fear allows caregivers to modify the approach and reduce resistance during personal care.
CDP Behavioral Management 2
A resident with dementia becomes agitated every evening around 4-6 PM.
This pattern is best described as: