Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are 10 actions that a nursing assistant can take when helping care for a resident who is confused?
What are 10 actions that a nursing assistant can take when helping care for a resident who is confused?
- Do not leave the resident alone 2. Stay calm. Provide a quiet environment 3. Speak in a low tone of voice. Speak clearly/slowly 4. Introduce yourself each time you see the resident 5. Remind resident of his location, name and the date 6. Explain what you are doing, using simple words 7. Be patient. Do not rush the resident 8. Talk to the resident about the plans for the day. Keep a routine 9. Promote self-care and independence 10. Report observations to the nurse.
Name 4 possible causes of delirium.
Name 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.
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.
Dementia is something that happens as every person gets older.
Signup and view all the answers
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.
Signup and view all the answers
Men are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease than women.
Men are more likely to have Alzheimer's disease than women.
Signup and view all the answers
Alzheimer's disease causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, eventually causing dementia.
Alzheimer's disease causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, eventually causing dementia.
Signup and view all the answers
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Signup and view all the answers
There is one simple exam that is performed to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
There is one simple exam that is performed to diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
Signup and view all the answers
Each person with Alzheimer's disease will show different signs at different times.
Each person with Alzheimer's disease will show different signs at different times.
Signup and view all the answers
Most Alzheimer's disease victims will eventually need constant care.
Most Alzheimer's disease victims will eventually need constant care.
Signup and view all the answers
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically appear suddenly.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease typically appear suddenly.
Signup and view all the answers
When communicating with a resident with Alzheimer's disease, the nursing assistant should?
When communicating with a resident with Alzheimer's disease, the nursing assistant should?
Signup and view all the answers
If a resident is frightened or anxious, which of the following should the nursing assistant do?
If a resident is frightened or anxious, which of the following should the nursing assistant do?
Signup and view all the answers
If a resident perseverates, this means he is?
If a resident perseverates, this means he is?
Signup and view all the answers
If a resident does not remember how to perform basic tasks, the nursing assistant should?
If a resident does not remember how to perform basic tasks, the nursing assistant should?
Signup and view all the answers
Use nonslip mats, tub seats, and hand holds to ensure safety during bathing.
Use nonslip mats, tub seats, and hand holds to ensure safety during bathing.
Signup and view all the answers
Always bathe the resident at the same time every day, even if she is agitated.
Always bathe the resident at the same time every day, even if she is agitated.
Signup and view all the answers
Break tasks down into simple steps, explaining one step at a time.
Break tasks down into simple steps, explaining one step at a time.
Signup and view all the answers
Do not attempt to groom the resident; most people with Alzheimer's disease do not care about their appearance.
Do not attempt to groom the resident; most people with Alzheimer's disease do not care about their appearance.
Signup and view all the answers
Choose clothes that are simple to put on.
Choose clothes that are simple to put on.
Signup and view all the answers
If the resident is incontinent, do not give him fluids, as this will make the problem worse.
If the resident is incontinent, do not give him fluids, as this will make the problem worse.
Signup and view all the answers
Mark the bathroom with a sign or picture as a reminder of when to use it and where it is.
Mark the bathroom with a sign or picture as a reminder of when to use it and where it is.
Signup and view all the answers
Check the skin regularly for signs of irritation.
Check the skin regularly for signs of irritation.
Signup and view all the answers
Follow standard precautions when caring for the resident.
Follow standard precautions when caring for the resident.
Signup and view all the answers
Do not encourage exercise, as this will make the resident more agitated.
Do not encourage exercise, as this will make the resident more agitated.
Signup and view all the answers
Serve finger foods if the resident tends to wander during meals.
Serve finger foods if the resident tends to wander during meals.
Signup and view all the answers
Schedule meals at the same time every day.
Schedule meals at the same time every day.
Signup and view all the answers
Serve new kinds of foods as often as possible to stimulate the resident.
Serve new kinds of foods as often as possible to stimulate the resident.
Signup and view all the answers
Put only one kind of food on the plate at a time.
Put only one kind of food on the plate at a time.
Signup and view all the answers
Use plain white dishes for serving food to residents.
Use plain white dishes for serving food to residents.
Signup and view all the answers
Do not encourage independence, as this can lead to aggressive behavior.
Do not encourage independence, as this can lead to aggressive behavior.
Signup and view all the answers
Reward positive behavior with smiles and warm touches.
Reward positive behavior with smiles and warm touches.
Signup and view all the answers
Mrs. Donne gets upset at about 9:00 every night. She repeatedly asks for snacks or drinks and refuses to go to bed. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Mrs. Donne gets upset at about 9:00 every night. She repeatedly asks for snacks or drinks and refuses to go to bed. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Mr. Noble is playing chess with a friend and becomes angry when he loses. He shoves his friend, and when the NA approaches them, he tells her he is going to hit her. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Mr. Noble is playing chess with a friend and becomes angry when he loses. He shoves his friend, and when the NA approaches them, he tells her he is going to hit her. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Mrs. Martin gets very upset every time she sees the president on television. She yells at the screen and tells everyone how poor a state our country is in. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Mrs. Martin gets very upset every time she sees the president on television. She yells at the screen and tells everyone how poor a state our country is in. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Ms. Desmond used to enjoy talking to people and reading, but lately she does not seem to enjoy anything. She sleeps most of the day and never talks to anyone unless she is asked to. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Ms. Desmond used to enjoy talking to people and reading, but lately she does not seem to enjoy anything. She sleeps most of the day and never talks to anyone unless she is asked to. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Whenever Mr. Fejer does not like what is being served for dinner, he bangs on the table with his fists and shouts about how much he hates his food. When people try to get him to stop, he only grows louder. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Whenever Mr. Fejer does not like what is being served for dinner, he bangs on the table with his fists and shouts about how much he hates his food. When people try to get him to stop, he only grows louder. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Ms. Storey is walking around the facility asking everyone she meets what time it is. Even though she has been told several times, she still seems unsatisfied and keeps asking the question. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Ms. Storey is walking around the facility asking everyone she meets what time it is. Even though she has been told several times, she still seems unsatisfied and keeps asking the question. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
About an hour before dinner every night, Ms. Foley starts walking up and down the halls as quickly as she can. She does not speak to or acknowledge anyone else while she is doing this. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
About an hour before dinner every night, Ms. Foley starts walking up and down the halls as quickly as she can. She does not speak to or acknowledge anyone else while she is doing this. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Whenever a female resident comes into the television room, Mr. Radcliffe tells her that he loves her and starts removing his clothes. If she stays in the room long enough, he will ask her to take off her clothes too. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Whenever a female resident comes into the television room, Mr. Radcliffe tells her that he loves her and starts removing his clothes. If she stays in the room long enough, he will ask her to take off her clothes too. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Mrs. Rowling loves the color red. She has a lot of red clothing that she enjoys wearing. Whenever she sees a piece of red clothing, even in another resident's room, she picks it up and takes it back to her room. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Mrs. Rowling loves the color red. She has a lot of red clothing that she enjoys wearing. Whenever she sees a piece of red clothing, even in another resident's room, she picks it up and takes it back to her room. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Mr. Bullis tells his NA that his wife has just called him. She is coming to pick him up, and they are going to dinner at the place they went on their first date. The NA knows his wife has been dead for several years and their favorite restaurant has long since closed down. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Mr. Bullis tells his NA that his wife has just called him. She is coming to pick him up, and they are going to dinner at the place they went on their first date. The NA knows his wife has been dead for several years and their favorite restaurant has long since closed down. What AD behavior is this? How would an NA deal with it?
Signup and view all the answers
Ms. Lee misses her husband, who has been dead for 10 years, very much. Keisha, an NA, who works with her, always asks about her life with her husband and what it was like. Ms. Lee seems to enjoy telling Keisha stories about what they did when they were young and how happy she was when they were together. What type of therapy is being used?
Ms. Lee misses her husband, who has been dead for 10 years, very much. Keisha, an NA, who works with her, always asks about her life with her husband and what it was like. Ms. Lee seems to enjoy telling Keisha stories about what they did when they were young and how happy she was when they were together. What type of therapy is being used?
Signup and view all the answers
Mr. Elking tells Keisha that he has a date with Rose, the pretty girl who lives across the street. He is going to take her dancing and out to a movie. Keisha knows that Rose lived in his neighborhood when he was a teenager and that he has not seen her for years. Keisha knows that Mr. Elking rarely gets out of bed. Instead of correcting him, Keisha asks him what kind of movie they are going to see and what he thinks he should wear. What type of therapy is being used?
Mr. Elking tells Keisha that he has a date with Rose, the pretty girl who lives across the street. He is going to take her dancing and out to a movie. Keisha knows that Rose lived in his neighborhood when he was a teenager and that he has not seen her for years. Keisha knows that Mr. Elking rarely gets out of bed. Instead of correcting him, Keisha asks him what kind of movie they are going to see and what he thinks he should wear. What type of therapy is being used?
Signup and view all the answers
Mr. Tennant sometimes gets depressed, especially in the evenings. Keisha knows that he loves classical music, so she starts playing it for him in the evenings a little before he usually starts feeling sad. He sorts through albums and places them in stacks. What type of therapy is being used?
Mr. Tennant sometimes gets depressed, especially in the evenings. Keisha knows that he loves classical music, so she starts playing it for him in the evenings a little before he usually starts feeling sad. He sorts through albums and places them in stacks. What type of therapy is being used?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Confusion and Care Techniques
- Do not leave confused residents alone; provide consistent supervision.
- Maintain a calm demeanor and create a quiet, soothing environment.
- Use a low tone, speaking clearly and slowly to aid understanding.
- Introduce yourself each time you interact with the resident to establish familiarity.
- Regularly remind residents of their surroundings, name, and current date.
- Clearly explain tasks using simple language to enhance comprehension.
- Exercise patience and avoid rushing, allowing residents time to process information.
- Discuss daily plans to maintain routines, which help reduce confusion.
- Encourage self-care to promote feelings of independence and self-worth.
- Report any unusual observations to nursing staff for appropriate interventions.
Causes of Delirium
- Common causes include infections, underlying diseases, fluid imbalances, and poor nutrition.
Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
- Dementia results in the loss of mental abilities: thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communication.
- It is not a natural part of aging, contradicting the belief that it occurs universally with age.
- Alzheimer's Disease is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly population.
- Women are at a higher risk than men for developing Alzheimer's Disease.
- The disease leads to the formation of tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits in the brain.
- Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease; symptoms can often be diagnosed only post-mortem through autopsy.
- Individual experiences with Alzheimer's vary; different patients exhibit unique symptoms and behaviors at different stages.
- Most individuals with Alzheimer's will eventually require constant care due to the progression of the disease.
Communication Strategies and Supporting Residents
- Speak slowly and use a lower tone when interacting with residents who have Alzheimer's.
- Be sensitive to residents' body language and ensure a non-threatening approach when they seem anxious.
- If a resident perseverates, respond with patience and avoid interrupting their repetitive behavior.
- Encourage residents to perform tasks independently when possible, supporting their abilities rather than doing everything for them.
Safety and Routine Practices
- Utilize nonslip mats and supportive bathing aids to enhance safety for residents during activities like bathing.
- Avoid forcing routines (e.g., bathing at the same time despite agitation) that may exacerbate distress; instead, adapt to their needs.
- Break tasks into manageable steps and explain each part sequentially to sustain engagement and understanding.
- Encourage grooming and appearance maintenance, as these aspects contribute positively to self-esteem.
- Maintain a structured schedule for meals and other activities to provide stability and reduce confusion.
Dealing with Behavioral Challenges
- Respond appropriately to symptoms like sundowning by engaging residents in calming activities prior to the time of day they become distressed.
- Address aggression or violent behavior by seeking help and identifying triggers to de-escalate the situation.
- Manage agitation by removing potential triggers, enforcing routines, and redirecting the resident's attention.
- If a resident displays depression, offer a supportive ear and encourage them to express their feelings as a therapeutic outlet.
- Handle disruptive behaviors by gently guiding the resident away from public areas to help minimize disturbances.
- For frequent questions or repetitive inquiries, practice patience and provide reassurance without frustration.
Recognizing and Addressing Complex Behavioral Symptoms
- Address inappropriate sexual behavior calmly while ensuring safety and alerting necessary personnel like the Charge Nurse.
- Label personal belongings to prevent confusion over property and reduce rummaging or hoarding tendencies.
- Acknowledge residents' hallucinations or delusions without confrontation, redirecting their illusions gently to maintain comfort.
- Apply reminiscence therapy to help engage residents in recalling positive past experiences, fostering emotional connections and enjoyment.
- Utilize validating therapy by engaging residents in discussions about their memories, enhancing their well-being through active participation.
- Support residents’ emotional health through activity therapy, such as music therapy, tailored to their preferences to promote positive moods.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers essential techniques for caring for residents with confusion, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. Participants will learn to provide effective support and recognize the common causes of delirium. Enhance your understanding of these critical topics in a healthcare setting.
