CNA Mental Health And Social Services Needs 4 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident who recently lost her independence due to a stroke expresses anger at the CNA during morning care. The CNA should understand this anger is most likely:
- Directed personally at the CNA
- A symptom of a new psychiatric disorder
- A normal grief response to loss of function (Correct answer)
- A sign the resident needs restraints
Correct answer: A normal grief response to loss of function
Anger is a normal stage of grief and a common response to sudden loss of independence; the CNA should not take it personally.
Question 2: Which statement by the CNA BEST demonstrates active listening?
- 'You shouldn't feel that way.'
- 'Let me tell you what happened to another resident.'
- 'It sounds like you're feeling very lonely. Tell me more.' (Correct answer)
- 'I understand — everyone feels that way sometimes.'
Correct answer: 'It sounds like you're feeling very lonely. Tell me more.'
Reflecting the resident's emotion and inviting them to share more demonstrates active listening and therapeutic communication.
Question 3: A resident with bipolar disorder is speaking very rapidly, has not slept in two days, and is making grandiose plans. The CNA should recognize these as signs of:
- A depressive episode
- A manic episode (Correct answer)
- Medication side effects only
- Normal high energy in the morning
Correct answer: A manic episode
Rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity are hallmark signs of a manic episode in bipolar disorder.
Question 4: A resident refuses to take her prescribed psychiatric medication. The CNA should:
- Crush the medication and hide it in her food
- Honor the refusal, document it, and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident she will lose privileges if she refuses
- Give the medication anyway to ensure she receives treatment
Correct answer: Honor the refusal, document it, and report to the nurse
Residents have the right to refuse medication; the CNA must document the refusal and notify the nurse so the care team can follow up.
Question 5: When a resident with Alzheimer's disease repeatedly asks for her deceased mother, the best response is:
- 'Your mother died years ago — don't you remember?'
- 'Let's find your mother together.'
- 'You must miss your mother. Tell me about her.' (Correct answer)
- 'You're confused again — let's focus on something else.'
Correct answer: 'You must miss your mother. Tell me about her.'
Acknowledging the feeling of missing her mother and inviting reminiscence is therapeutic and avoids causing distress by correcting the delusion.
Question 6: Which factor is most likely to worsen depression in an elderly long-term care resident?
- Regular participation in group activities
- Frequent visits from family members
- Social isolation and loss of meaningful roles (Correct answer)
- Consistent daily routines
Correct answer: Social isolation and loss of meaningful roles
Social isolation and the loss of meaningful roles such as work or caregiving are major contributing factors to depression in elderly residents.
Question 7: A resident tells the CNA she is hearing voices telling her to hurt herself. The CNA should:
- Tell the resident to ignore the voices
- Stay with the resident and call for the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Document it and report it at the end of the shift
- Ask the resident what the voices are saying before calling anyone
Correct answer: Stay with the resident and call for the nurse immediately
Command hallucinations involving self-harm are a psychiatric emergency; the CNA must stay with the resident for safety and summon the nurse immediately.
CNA Mental Health And Social Services Needs 4 5
A resident who recently lost her independence due to a stroke expresses anger at the CNA during morning care.
The CNA should understand this anger is most likely: