General CNA Practice Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When caring for a resident with dementia who is agitated, the CNA should first:
- Use physical restraints
- Speak calmly and use distraction techniques (Correct answer)
- Give the resident extra medication
- Ignore the behavior
Correct answer: Speak calmly and use distraction techniques
Calm communication and redirection are the first-line approach for managing agitation in dementia patients.
Question 2: Which behavior is a sign that a resident may be experiencing depression?
- Increased appetite
- Withdrawal from activities and social interaction (Correct answer)
- Excessive laughing
- Aggressive behavior only
Correct answer: Withdrawal from activities and social interaction
Withdrawal from activities and social isolation is a hallmark sign of depression in residents.
Question 3: A CNA is working with a resident who has an intellectual disability. The BEST approach is to:
- Speak loudly and slowly
- Use simple, clear language and give one instruction at a time (Correct answer)
- Ask family members to communicate for the resident
- Assume the resident cannot understand anything
Correct answer: Use simple, clear language and give one instruction at a time
Simple, clear language with single-step instructions supports understanding for residents with intellectual disabilities.
Question 4: Sundowning in a patient with dementia refers to:
- The patient sleeping during the day
- Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening (Correct answer)
- Refusing to eat breakfast
- A morning confusion episode
Correct answer: Increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening
Sundowning is a pattern of worsening confusion, agitation, and disorientation that occurs in the late afternoon or evening.
Question 5: A resident with schizophrenia tells the CNA that the television is sending them personal messages. The CNA should:
- Argue that the belief is false
- Agree with the resident to keep them calm
- Acknowledge the resident's feelings without reinforcing the delusion (Correct answer)
- Turn off the television and say nothing
Correct answer: Acknowledge the resident's feelings without reinforcing the delusion
Acknowledging feelings without agreeing with or arguing against the delusion is the therapeutic approach for psychotic beliefs.
Question 6: Which intervention helps prevent elopement in residents with dementia?
- Locking the resident in their room
- Using door alarms and secured exits (Correct answer)
- Tying the resident to the chair
- Keeping all lights off at night
Correct answer: Using door alarms and secured exits
Door alarms and secured exits are safety measures that alert staff if a resident with dementia attempts to leave the facility.
General CNA Practice Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities 1
When caring for a resident with dementia who is agitated, the CNA should first: