CNA Care Of Cognitively Impaired Residents 4 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dementia confabulates (makes up stories) when asked about their day. The CNA should:
- Correct the resident firmly to keep them oriented
- Listen respectfully without arguing about the accuracy of the story (Correct answer)
- Report the behavior as lying to the nurse
- Avoid engaging in any conversation with the resident
Correct answer: Listen respectfully without arguing about the accuracy of the story
Confabulation is an involuntary symptom of memory damage; arguing is harmful while respectful listening preserves dignity.
Question 2: Which approach is MOST appropriate when bathing a resident with dementia who becomes upset during the process?
- Continue quickly to finish before agitation worsens
- Stop, allow the resident to calm down, and try a modified bathing method (Correct answer)
- Restrain the resident to complete the bath safely
- Skip the bath and document that the resident refused
Correct answer: Stop, allow the resident to calm down, and try a modified bathing method
Pausing and trying an alternative method such as a towel bath reduces distress and maintains dignity during personal care.
Question 3: When communicating with a resident who has severe dementia, the CNA should use:
- Long, detailed instructions given all at once
- Short, simple sentences with a calm tone and direct eye contact (Correct answer)
- Medical terminology to maintain professionalism
- Written notes since verbal communication is ineffective
Correct answer: Short, simple sentences with a calm tone and direct eye contact
Simple sentences, calm tone, and eye contact optimize understanding and connection for residents with severe cognitive impairment.
Question 4: A resident with Alzheimer's disease repeatedly asks for their deceased spouse. The BEST response is to:
- Remind the resident firmly that the spouse has passed away
- Ask the resident to tell you about their spouse while offering comfort (Correct answer)
- Change the subject immediately without acknowledging the question
- Avoid the resident until they stop asking
Correct answer: Ask the resident to tell you about their spouse while offering comfort
Inviting the resident to share memories honors their feelings and redirects gently without causing repeated grief from reminding them of the death.
Question 5: Which behavior is a recognized sign of pain in a nonverbal resident with advanced dementia?
- Sleeping more than usual
- Facial grimacing, guarding, or increased agitation during movement (Correct answer)
- Requesting extra blankets
- Refusing to watch television
Correct answer: Facial grimacing, guarding, or increased agitation during movement
Nonverbal pain indicators in dementia include facial grimacing, body guarding, and agitation especially during repositioning or care activities.
Question 6: The PRIMARY goal of reminiscence therapy for cognitively impaired residents is to:
- Restore lost long-term memories permanently
- Improve mood and sense of identity by recalling past positive experiences (Correct answer)
- Teach residents new coping strategies
- Reduce wandering behavior through structured activities
Correct answer: Improve mood and sense of identity by recalling past positive experiences
Reminiscence therapy uses long-term memories — often better preserved in dementia — to boost self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Question 7: A cognitively impaired resident hoards food in their room. The CNA should FIRST:
- Confiscate all hoarded food without explanation
- Report the behavior to the nurse and assess for safety concerns such as spoilage or choking risk (Correct answer)
- Ignore the behavior since it is harmless
- Punish the behavior by limiting meal access
Correct answer: Report the behavior to the nurse and assess for safety concerns such as spoilage or choking risk
Hoarding can pose safety risks from spoiled food or choking hazards, so the nurse must be informed and a care plan developed.
CNA Care Of Cognitively Impaired Residents 4 4
A resident with dementia confabulates (makes up stories) when asked about their day.
The CNA should: