NCCAP Activity Program Development & Implementation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OBRA 1987 regulations, which statement about activity programming in nursing facilities is TRUE?
- Activities must be provided seven days a week
- A minimum of one group activity per week satisfies the requirement
- Activities must meet the interests and needs of each resident (Correct answer)
- Only a licensed therapist may lead activity programs
Correct answer: Activities must meet the interests and needs of each resident
OBRA 1987 mandates that activity programs support each resident's physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being based on assessed individual needs and interests.
Question 2: Which approach BEST demonstrates person-centered activity programming?
- Offering the same popular activities to all residents for efficiency
- Designing programs based solely on staff availability
- Tailoring activities to each resident's history, culture, values, and current abilities (Correct answer)
- Selecting activities by surveying family members only
Correct answer: Tailoring activities to each resident's history, culture, values, and current abilities
Person-centered programming honors the whole person by incorporating life history, cultural background, personal values, and current functional status.
Question 3: A resident refuses all offered activities. According to NCCAP standards, the activity professional should:
- Document refusal and offer no further programming
- Continue to offer alternative activities aligned with the resident's interests and preferences (Correct answer)
- Notify the ombudsman immediately
- Discharge the resident from the activity program
Correct answer: Continue to offer alternative activities aligned with the resident's interests and preferences
Residents have the right to refuse, but the activity professional should continue exploring alternatives and documenting ongoing attempts to meet the resident's needs.
Question 4: Which activity modality is classified as a 'cognitive stimulation' intervention?
- Gentle stretching exercises
- Current events discussion groups (Correct answer)
- Relaxation massage
- Outdoor walking programs
Correct answer: Current events discussion groups
Current events discussion groups engage memory, attention, reasoning, and language — core components of cognitive stimulation therapy.
Question 5: When planning an intergenerational program, the activity professional should primarily consider:
- Whether the activity produces a visible product for display
- Compatibility of interaction styles, safety of the environment, and mutual benefit for all participants (Correct answer)
- Whether the activity fills at least two hours of programming time
- The lowest cost option for the facility budget
Correct answer: Compatibility of interaction styles, safety of the environment, and mutual benefit for all participants
Successful intergenerational programs require thoughtful matching of activities to the abilities and interests of all generations while ensuring a safe, mutually beneficial experience.
Question 6: Which documentation format is most commonly used to record resident participation in activity programs?
- SOAP notes
- Attendance logs combined with monthly narrative summaries (Correct answer)
- Incident reports
- Physician progress notes
Correct answer: Attendance logs combined with monthly narrative summaries
Activity professionals typically use attendance/participation logs for daily records and narrative summaries to capture qualitative observations of engagement and well-being.
Question 7: A facility wants to launch a pet therapy program. The activity professional's FIRST action should be:
- Purchase animals for the facility
- Assess residents for allergies, phobias, and interest, and review facility infection control policies (Correct answer)
- Train all activity staff in veterinary care
- Announce the program in the family newsletter
Correct answer: Assess residents for allergies, phobias, and interest, and review facility infection control policies
Before launching pet therapy, resident safety screening (allergies, fear, immune status) and compliance with infection control policies must be established.
NCCAP Activity Program Development & Implementation 4
Under OBRA 1987 regulations, which statement about activity programming in nursing facilities is TRUE?