Chapter 5

Scenario: Mrs. Hays, a resident with Alzheimer's disease, has awakened from her nap and does not recognize her room or anyone around her. What is an appropriate response in this situation?

• Calmly reassure her and orient her to her surroundings.

• Ignore her confusion and leave her alone.

• Scold her for not remembering where she is.

• Tell her she should remember her room by now.

Scenario: Kena, a nursing assistant, has been trying to give Mr. Collins, a resident with AD, a bath. Mr. Collins has become agitated and is asking Kena 'Who are you?' over and over again, although Kena has already identified herself twice. What is an appropriate response for Kena in this situation?

• Calmly reintroduce herself each time Mr. Collins asks.

• Ignore Mr. Collins and continue with the bath.

• Tell Mr. Collins to stop asking the same question.

• Leave the room immediately without explanation.

What is an appropriate response when Mrs. Hays is having trouble remembering the word 'necklace' and is getting upset while telling Kena a story?

• Gently suggest the word 'necklace' to help her remember.

• Ignore her and change the subject.

• Laugh at her forgetfulness.

• Tell her to stop talking about the story.

Kena should do this if Mr. Collins does not understand when she asks him to put on his shoes:

• Show him what to do or give a clearer instruction.

• Ignore him and wait for him to figure it out.

• Take him to dinner without shoes.

• Get upset and stop helping him.

When communicating with a resident with Alzheimer's disease, the NA should:

• Quietly approach the resident from behind

• Stand as close as possible to the resident

• Communicate in a loud area to help cheer up the resident

• Speak slowly, using a lower tone of voice than normal

If a resident is frightened or anxious, which of the following should the NA do?

• Check his body language so he does not appear tense or hurried

• Turn up the television to try to distract the resident

• Use complex, longer sentences to calm the resident

• Give multiple instructions at one time so that the resident has time to understand them

If a resident perseverates, this means they are

• Repeating words, phrases, questions, or actions

• Suggesting words that sound correct

• Hallucinating

• Gesturing instead of speaking

If a resident does not remember how to perform basic tasks, the NA should

• Do everything for him

• Encourage the resident to do what he can

• Skip explaining each activity

• Say 'don't' as often as the NA feels is necessary

For each of the following statements, write good idea if the statement is a good idea for residents with Alzheimer's disease or bad idea if the statement is a bad idea. 1. Use nonslip mats, tub seats, and handholds to ensure safety during bathing.

• Good idea

• Bad idea

For each of the following statements, write good idea if the statement is a good idea for residents with Alzheimer's disease or bad idea if the statement is a bad idea. 2. Always bathe the resident at the same time every day, even if the resident is agitated.

• Good idea

• Bad idea