Questions and Answers
What are 11 actions that an NA can take when helping care for a confused resident?
- Don't leave a confused resident alone 2. Stay calm, provide a quiet environment 3. Speak in a lower tone of voice clearly/slowly 4. Introduce yourself each time you see the resident 5. Remind the resident of their location, name, and the date 6. Explain what you are going to do using simple instructions 7. Don't rush the resident 8. Talk to confused residents about plans for the day 9. Encourage the use of eyeglasses and hearing aids 10. Promote self care and independence 11. Report observations to the nurse.
What are 4 possible causes of delirium?
- Infections 2. Disease 3. Fluid imbalances 4. Poor nutrition
Dementia is the loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communicating.
True
Dementia is something that happens as every person gets older.
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Alzheimer's disease is a common cause of dementia.
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Men are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease than women.
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Alzheimer's disease causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, eventually causing dementia.
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There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
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Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease is usually a simple procedure.
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Each person with Alzheimer's disease will show different signs at different times.
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Most Alzheimer's disease victims will eventually need constant care.
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Encouraging residents with Alzheimer's disease to keep their minds and bodies active may help slow the disease.
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How should an NA respond when Mrs. Hays does not recognize her room or anyone around her?
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How should an NA respond if Mr. Collins repeatedly asks, 'Who are you?'
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What should an NA do if Mrs. Hays is having trouble remembering the word 'necklace'?
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What is the appropriate response if Mr. Collins does not understand what an NA wants?
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When communicating with a resident with AD, how should the NA speak?
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What should an NA do if a resident is frightened or anxious?
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What does it mean if a resident perseverates?
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If a resident does not remember how to perform basic tasks, what should the NA do?
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Using nonslip mats, tub seats, and handholds to ensure safety during bathing is a good idea.
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Always bathing the resident at the same time every day, even if they are agitated, is a bad idea.
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Breaking tasks down into simple steps, explaining one step at a time, is a good idea.
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Not attempting to groom the resident because people with Alzheimer's disease most likely do not care about their appearance is a bad idea.
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Choosing clothes that are simple to put on is a good idea.
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If the resident is incontinent, not giving them fluids makes the problem worse.
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Marking the bathroom with a sign or picture as a reminder is a good idea.
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Checking the skin regularly for signs of irritation is a good idea.
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Following Standard Precautions when caring for the resident is a good idea.
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Not encouraging exercise, as this will make the resident more agitated is a bad idea.
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Serving finger foods if the resident tends to wander during meals is a good idea.
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Scheduling meals at the same time every day is a good idea.
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Serving new kinds of foods as often as possible to stimulate the resident is a bad idea.
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Putting only one kind of food on the plate at a time is a good idea.
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Using plain white dishes for serving food to residents with Alzheimer's disease is a good idea.
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Not encouraging independence can lead to aggressive behavior is a bad idea.
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Rewarding positive behavior with smiles and warm touches is a good idea.
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What is 'sundowning' and how should an NA deal with it?
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What is 'violent behavior' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'agitation' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'depression' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'disruptiveness' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'wandering and perseverating' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'pacing' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'inappropriate sexual behavior' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What is 'pillaging' in an Alzheimer's patient and how should an NA respond?
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What are 'delusions' in Alzheimer's patients and how should an NA respond?
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What type of therapy involves telling stories about past experiences?
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What type of therapy involves validating a resident’s feelings without correction?
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What type of therapy involves playing classical music to uplift a resident's mood?
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What type of therapy involves providing aids to help residents remember the date or month?
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Study Notes
Caring for Confused Residents
- Avoid leaving confused residents alone for their safety.
- Maintain a calm demeanor and provide a tranquil environment to ease anxiety.
- Use a clear, slow, and lower tone of voice when communicating.
- Introduce yourself every time you meet the resident to foster familiarity.
- Remind residents of their location and current date, using tools like calendars.
- Explain tasks using simple, concise instructions to enhance understanding.
- Allow residents ample time to process information; do not rush them.
- Discuss daily routines to provide structure and certainty.
- Encourage the use of eyeglasses and hearing aids; ensure they are clean and functional.
- Support residents' independence and self-care to promote confidence.
- Report any observations about residents' behavior and condition to nursing staff.
Delirium Causes
- Delirium can result from infections, diseases, fluid imbalances, or poor nutrition.
- Substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol may also contribute to delirium.
Understanding Dementia
- Dementia impairs mental functions like thinking, memory, reasoning, and communication; it is often associated with Alzheimer's disease.
- Not all individuals experience dementia as they age; it is not a normal part of aging.
- Alzheimer's disease is a prevalent cause of dementia, mainly affecting women.
- Alzheimer's is characterized by tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits in the brain, leading to progressive dementia.
- Currently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease Characteristics
- Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be complex and challenging.
- Symptoms of Alzheimer's can vary significantly among individuals.
- Many patients with Alzheimer's will eventually require full-time care.
- Mental and physical activities may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Best Practices for Communication
- When addressing residents with cognitive impairments, speak slowly and calmly.
- For frightened or anxious residents, ensure body language is relaxed.
- Repetition of questions or actions by residents is normal and should be met with patience and consistency.
Strategies for Daily Care
- Break tasks into simple steps and provide one instruction at a time.
- Use non-slip mats and safety aids to prevent accidents during bathing.
- Consistent bathing schedules may reduce agitation.
- Offer simple-to-wear clothing to facilitate dressing.
Dealing with Incontinence
- Continue providing fluids for incontinent residents to maintain hydration.
- Use visual aids like signs or pictures to help orient residents in the facility.
Meal Assistance Techniques
- Finger foods are helpful for residents who tend to be restless during meals.
- Establish consistent meal schedules and serve one type of food at a time to prevent confusion.
- Use plain dishes to reduce distractions during meals.
Managing Challenging Behaviors
- Positively reinforce good behavior with smiles and gentle touches.
- Respond to sundowning by reducing stressors and maintaining routines.
- Address violent behavior calmly and keep a safe distance.
- For agitation and depressive behaviors, utilize soothing activities and encourage companionship.
Specialized Therapies
- Reminiscence Therapy: Engaging with residents about their past to stimulate memories.
- Validation Therapy: Allowing residents to express their feelings and validating their emotions without correction.
- Activity Therapy: Involving residents in enjoyable activities to prevent depression.
- Reality Orientation: Using tools like calendars to help residents stay oriented in time.
Recognizing and Responding to Behaviors
- Delusions should be met with reassurance and a calm demeanor.
- Monitor behaviors such as wandering or pacing, ensuring the environment is secure.
- Engaging residents in familiar activities can provide calming distractions.
These notes cover essential practices and responses for caring for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, highlighting the importance of communication, patience, and appropriate therapeutic approaches.
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Description
This quiz focuses on essential communication techniques for Certified Nursing Assistants, specifically from Chapter 5. It emphasizes the importance of patient interaction, especially with confused residents, and provides strategies to enhance understanding and comfort. Prepare to test your knowledge on these vital caregiving skills.
