CSA Aptitude 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An older adult with moderate dementia becomes agitated when a caregiver attempts to help with bathing. Which approach is most effective?
- Physically restrain the client to ensure hygiene is maintained
- Use a calm tone, offer choices, and approach care at a time when the client is most relaxed (Correct answer)
- Administer sedatives prior to bathing to reduce agitation
- Skip bathing until the client voluntarily requests it
Correct answer: Use a calm tone, offer choices, and approach care at a time when the client is most relaxed
Person-centered dementia care emphasizes calm communication, offering choices, and timing activities around the individual's best periods to minimize agitation.
Question 2: Which of the following is a primary risk factor for falls among older adults?
- High dietary calcium intake
- Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications simultaneously) (Correct answer)
- Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise
- Living in a single-story home
Correct answer: Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications simultaneously)
Polypharmacy increases fall risk due to drug interactions, side effects such as dizziness, and impaired balance or cognition.
Question 3: In the context of advance care planning, a 'living will' is best described as:
- A document that transfers property to heirs upon death
- A legal document expressing an individual's wishes for medical treatment if they become incapacitated (Correct answer)
- A financial plan for long-term care expenses
- A contract between a caregiver and a senior for services rendered
Correct answer: A legal document expressing an individual's wishes for medical treatment if they become incapacitated
A living will is an advance directive that outlines an individual's preferences for medical interventions if they become unable to communicate those wishes.
Question 4: Which of the following best characterizes 'ageism'?
- Providing age-appropriate medical care to older patients
- Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against individuals based on their age (Correct answer)
- Adjusting financial products to meet the needs of senior clients
- Celebrating milestones associated with growing older
Correct answer: Stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against individuals based on their age
Ageism involves stereotyping or discriminating against people based on their age and can negatively impact the health, wellbeing, and opportunities of older adults.
Question 5: A CSA client is concerned about spending down assets to qualify for Medicaid for nursing home care. Which concept describes this strategy?
- Medicare assignment
- Medicaid spend-down (Correct answer)
- Social Security offset
- IRMAA adjustment
Correct answer: Medicaid spend-down
Medicaid spend-down refers to reducing countable assets or income to meet Medicaid eligibility thresholds for long-term care coverage.
Question 6: The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form differs from a standard advance directive primarily because:
- POLST is legally binding across all 50 states without exception
- POLST is a medical order signed by a physician, immediately actionable by healthcare providers (Correct answer)
- POLST only applies to patients under age 65
- POLST requires two witness signatures to be valid
Correct answer: POLST is a medical order signed by a physician, immediately actionable by healthcare providers
POLST is a physician-signed medical order that is immediately actionable by emergency and healthcare personnel, unlike an advance directive which guides decisions but requires interpretation.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?
- Bathing independently
- Feeding oneself without assistance
- Managing medications and finances (Correct answer)
- Transferring from bed to chair
Correct answer: Managing medications and finances
IADLs are complex activities required for independent living, such as managing medications, finances, transportation, and meal preparation, as distinguished from basic ADLs.
CSA Aptitude 3
An older adult with moderate dementia becomes agitated when a caregiver attempts to help with bathing.
Which approach is most effective?