Dementia Training Certification Dementia Training Nutrition, Hydration & Physical Health 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a common nutritional challenge for individuals with dementia?
- Increased appetite due to heightened sensory awareness
- Difficulty recognizing food or utensils (Correct answer)
- Preference for more complex meal presentations
- Improved swallowing reflexes over time
Correct answer: Difficulty recognizing food or utensils
Dementia affects recognition and procedural memory, causing people to not recognize food or how to use utensils.
Question 2: A person with dementia refuses to eat. What is the BEST initial approach for a caregiver?
- Force feeding to ensure adequate nutrition
- Skip the meal and try again at the next scheduled time
- Assess for potential pain, discomfort, or environmental factors (Correct answer)
- Immediately contact a physician to request a feeding tube
Correct answer: Assess for potential pain, discomfort, or environmental factors
The first step is to assess for underlying causes such as pain, discomfort, or environmental distractions before escalating intervention.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes dysphagia in persons with dementia?
- Loss of appetite due to sensory changes
- Difficulty or discomfort with swallowing (Correct answer)
- Inability to recognize food items
- Refusal to drink adequate fluids
Correct answer: Difficulty or discomfort with swallowing
Dysphagia refers specifically to difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, which becomes more common as dementia progresses.
Question 4: What is the recommended minimum daily fluid intake for older adults to prevent dehydration?
- 500–700 ml per day
- 800–1,000 ml per day
- 1,500–2,000 ml per day (Correct answer)
- 2,500–3,000 ml per day
Correct answer: 1,500–2,000 ml per day
Most guidelines recommend 1,500–2,000 ml (approximately 6–8 cups) of fluids daily for older adults to maintain adequate hydration.
Question 5: Which environmental modification can help improve food intake in a person with dementia?
- Using white plates on white tablecloths to minimize stimulation
- Using high-contrast colored plates to help distinguish food (Correct answer)
- Presenting all food courses simultaneously to save time
- Playing loud, upbeat music during mealtimes
Correct answer: Using high-contrast colored plates to help distinguish food
High-contrast colored plates help persons with dementia better distinguish food from the plate, facilitating recognition and intake.
Question 6: Which sign is MOST indicative of dehydration in a person with dementia?
- Increased appetite and food intake
- Dark-colored urine and dry mouth (Correct answer)
- Elevated blood pressure and flushed skin
- Increased social engagement and activity
Correct answer: Dark-colored urine and dry mouth
Dark urine and dry mouth are classic signs of dehydration and should prompt increased fluid offering in persons with dementia.
Question 7: When assisting a person with dementia who has dysphagia, the caregiver should:
- Encourage rapid eating to minimize mealtime fatigue
- Position the person lying flat to ease swallowing
- Offer thin liquids as they are easiest to swallow
- Position the person upright and offer small, manageable bites (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Position the person upright and offer small, manageable bites
An upright position and small bites reduce aspiration risk and make swallowing safer for persons with dysphagia.
Dementia Training Certification Dementia Training Nutrition, Hydration & Physical Health 1
Which of the following is a common nutritional challenge for individuals with dementia?