Senior Care Dementia and Cognitive Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for cognitive impairment in seniors?
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Correct answer)
- Braden Scale
- Morse Fall Scale
Correct answer: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The MMSE tests orientation, memory, attention, and language and is widely used to screen for and track cognitive impairment.
Question 2: What is the difference between delirium and dementia?
- There is no clinical difference between the two
- Delirium is a sudden, reversible state of confusion; dementia is a gradual, progressive cognitive decline (Correct answer)
- Dementia is always reversible with medication
- Delirium only affects residents under age 65
Correct answer: Delirium is a sudden, reversible state of confusion; dementia is a gradual, progressive cognitive decline
Delirium has a sudden onset and is often reversible with treatment of the underlying cause, whereas dementia progresses slowly and is irreversible.
Question 3: Which of the following can trigger delirium in a senior with dementia?
- A regular routine and familiar environment
- A urinary tract infection (UTI) (Correct answer)
- Adequate hydration and nutrition
- Consistent sleep schedule
Correct answer: A urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTIs are a leading cause of acute delirium in older adults because infection-related inflammation can affect brain function.
Question 4: Person-centered care for a resident with dementia means:
- Providing the same routine care to all residents with dementia
- Individualizing care based on the resident's life history, preferences, and remaining strengths (Correct answer)
- Focusing only on managing behavioral symptoms with medication
- Keeping all decisions with the care team without family input
Correct answer: Individualizing care based on the resident's life history, preferences, and remaining strengths
Person-centered care uses knowledge of who the resident is as a whole person to provide individualized, dignified care.
Question 5: Which dementia stage is characterized by the resident requiring total care for all ADLs and losing the ability to speak?
- Early (mild) stage
- Middle (moderate) stage
- Late (severe) stage (Correct answer)
- Pre-dementia (MCI) stage
Correct answer: Late (severe) stage
In the late stage of dementia, individuals lose the ability to communicate verbally and require complete assistance with all activities.
Question 6: What is reminiscence therapy in senior care?
- A medication used to improve memory in Alzheimer's patients
- An activity that uses long-term memories, photos, and familiar objects to engage and comfort residents with dementia (Correct answer)
- A type of physical therapy to restore movement patterns
- A dietary approach to reduce dementia progression
Correct answer: An activity that uses long-term memories, photos, and familiar objects to engage and comfort residents with dementia
Reminiscence therapy leverages preserved long-term memories to provide meaningful engagement and emotional comfort in dementia care.
Senior Care Dementia and Cognitive Care 2
Which assessment tool is commonly used to screen for cognitive impairment in seniors?