Mental Health and Behavioral Support Flashcards

A resident with a history of alcohol use disorder is exhibiting tremors, sweating, and confusion. The nursing assistant should:

Answer: Report the symptoms to the nurse immediately as they may indicate withdrawal

Tremors, sweating, and confusion can be signs of alcohol withdrawal, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate nurse notification.

Which resident behavior is MOST consistent with a panic attack?

Answer: Sudden intense fear with racing heart, shortness of breath, and chest tightness

Panic attacks typically present with sudden, intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms including rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

The nursing assistant observes a resident pulling out their own hair repeatedly. This behavior is BEST described as:

Answer: A self-stimulatory or compulsive behavior that should be reported and documented

Repetitive self-injurious behaviors like hair pulling require documentation and reporting to the nurse for clinical evaluation.

Which of the following BEST describes the nursing assistant's role in behavior management?

Answer: Observing, documenting, and reporting behavioral changes to the nurse

Nursing assistants are responsible for observing and reporting behaviors, not diagnosing or independently implementing clinical interventions.

A confused resident wanders into another resident's room and begins going through their belongings. The nursing assistant should:

Answer: Gently redirect the wandering resident back to their own room while protecting both residents' dignity

Gentle redirection protects both residents' safety and privacy while maintaining dignity for the resident with cognitive impairment.

Which of the following is an example of an appropriate boundary a nursing assistant must maintain with residents who have mental health conditions?

Answer: Maintaining a professional, supportive relationship without becoming personally involved in their personal affairs

Nursing assistants must maintain professional therapeutic boundaries, which include avoiding dual relationships and unrealistic promises.

A resident's care plan includes 'validation therapy' as an intervention. This approach involves:

Answer: Acknowledging and accepting the resident's feelings and subjective reality without judgment

Validation therapy acknowledges the emotional truth behind a dementia patient's statements rather than correcting factual errors, reducing distress.