Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Flashcards

When a resident with dementia refuses care, the CNA should:

Answer: Report it and try again later using a calm approach

Trying again later with a calm, gentle approach respects dignity and often succeeds when a resident is less distressed.

The term 'reality orientation' in mental health care means:

Answer: Gently reminding residents of the current date, place, and situation

Reality orientation involves consistently providing correct information about time, place, and person to reduce confusion.

A resident with anxiety is breathing rapidly and says they feel like something terrible is about to happen. The CNA should:

Answer: Stay with the resident, speak calmly, and notify the nurse

Staying with the resident, providing calm reassurance, and notifying the nurse are the appropriate CNA responses to a potential panic attack.

Which of the following is an example of validation therapy?

Answer: Entering the resident's reality and responding to their feelings

Validation therapy involves acknowledging the resident's feelings and entering their perceived reality rather than correcting them.

A resident with a developmental disability needs assistance with personal hygiene. The CNA should:

Answer: Encourage the resident to do as much as they are capable of

Encouraging maximum independence while providing needed assistance supports dignity and functional ability in residents with developmental disabilities.

Which observation about a resident with depression should be reported to the nurse immediately?

Answer: The resident states they want to hurt themselves

Any statement about self-harm is a safety emergency that must be reported to the nurse immediately.