CNA Aging Process 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The best way to promote independence in elderly residents is:
- Do everything for them to save time
- Allow them to do as much as they safely can (Correct answer)
- Restrict activities to prevent falls
- Only assist during mealtimes
Correct answer: Allow them to do as much as they safely can
Promoting independence maintains dignity, function, and quality of life.
Person-centered care promotes maximum independence. Allow residents to do as much as they safely can, even if it takes longer. This maintains physical function, cognitive ability, self-esteem, and quality of life. Provide standby assistance as needed.
Question 2: Dehydration in elderly residents is common because:
- They drink too much water
- The thirst sensation decreases with age (Correct answer)
- Their kidneys work better
- They exercise too much
Correct answer: The thirst sensation decreases with age
The thirst mechanism weakens with age, so elderly people may not feel thirsty even when dehydrated.
The hypothalamic thirst center becomes less sensitive with age, so elderly people may not feel thirsty even when significantly dehydrated. Additionally, kidney function declines, some medications are diuretic, and residents may limit fluids to avoid frequent toileting.
Question 3: Age-related changes in the respiratory system include:
- Increased lung capacity
- Decreased lung elasticity and capacity (Correct answer)
- Stronger cough reflex
- Improved oxygen exchange
Correct answer: Decreased lung elasticity and capacity
Lungs become less elastic and chest wall stiffens, reducing breathing capacity.
With aging, lung tissue loses elasticity, chest wall muscles weaken, and the rib cage becomes stiffer. This reduces vital capacity, oxygen exchange efficiency, and cough strength — increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Question 4: The CNA should understand that grieving in elderly residents:
- Only happens when someone dies
- Can occur from multiple losses including health, independence, and friends (Correct answer)
- Is a sign of depression that needs medication
- Should be discouraged
Correct answer: Can occur from multiple losses including health, independence, and friends
Elderly people experience grief from many losses — not just death.
Elderly residents may grieve the loss of health, independence, mobility, vision, hearing, home, spouse, friends, and social roles. This cumulative grief is normal. CNAs should listen empathetically, allow expression of feelings, and report signs of clinical depression.
Question 5: Sleep patterns in the elderly typically change by:
- Sleeping more deeply
- Lighter sleep with more frequent waking (Correct answer)
- Needing more sleep
- No changes occur
Correct answer: Lighter sleep with more frequent waking
Elderly people experience lighter sleep, more awakenings, and less deep sleep.
Normal aging changes include less deep (Stage 3/4) sleep, more light sleep, earlier bedtimes and wake times, more nighttime awakenings, and daytime napping. Total sleep need doesn't change much, but sleep quality decreases.
Question 6: When caring for an elderly resident, the CNA should be aware that pain:
- Decreases with age
- May be underreported because residents think it's normal (Correct answer)
- Only occurs with visible injuries
- Should only be treated with medication
Correct answer: May be underreported because residents think it's normal
Many elderly residents underreport pain, believing it's a normal part of aging.
Elderly residents often underreport pain due to beliefs that pain is normal with aging, fear of being a burden, cognitive impairment affecting communication, or fear of medication. CNAs should observe for nonverbal pain signs: grimacing, guarding, restlessness, and changes in behavior.
CNA Aging Process 3
The best way to promote independence in elderly residents is: