Nurse Aide Unit 10 – Caring for Residents with Special Needs

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering mental health concepts, developmental disabilities, dementia care strategies, behavioral interventions, end-of-life considerations, and the grieving process from Unit 10.

What is the primary difference between mental health and mental illness?

Mental health is a state of psychological well-being; mental illness is a chemical imbalance that impairs daily functioning.

Name two hallmark symptoms of depression.

Persistent sadness and loss of interest in activities.

Which age group has the highest incidence of suicide?

Individuals 85 years and older.

If a resident shows suicidal warning signs, what should the nurse aide do first?

Stay with the resident and alert the nurse immediately.

What mental illness is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking?

Schizophrenia.

Define Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

A disorder that develops after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.

How does a coping strategy differ from a defense mechanism?

Coping strategies are healthy ways to manage stress, whereas defense mechanisms are often unconscious and potentially unhealthy.

Give two examples of healthy coping strategies.

Exercise and listening to music.

Give two examples of defense mechanisms.

Denial and projection.

What is cerebral palsy and when do symptoms usually appear?

A brain abnormality affecting movement and posture; symptoms appear in infancy.

List two core characteristics of autism.

Impairments in social interaction and communication.

Define cognition.

The ability to think, reason, make decisions, and remember.

What is dementia?

A progressive decline in mental function that interferes with daily life and decision-making.

What is the most common cause of dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease.

Average life expectancy after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is years.

4–6

Name the three general stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mild (Stage 1), Moderate (Stage 2), Severe (Stage 3).

Which Alzheimer’s stage is typically the longest?

Moderate (Stage 2).

Give one early warning sign of Alzheimer’s that disrupts daily life.

Memory loss of recently learned information.

What visual problem can signal Alzheimer’s disease?

Difficulty judging distance or determining color/contrast.

Define validation therapy.

Accepting a resident’s reality rather than trying to correct it.

When is reality orientation usually most helpful?

In the early stages of dementia.

Why is a calm, structured environment important for dementia residents?

It reduces stimulation, confusion, and anxiety, preventing behavioral outbursts.

When speaking to a resident with dementia, how should the caregiver phrase instructions?

Use slow speech, short simple sentences, and repeat exactly if not understood.

Why should caregivers approach residents with Alzheimer’s from the front?

Because peripheral vision is reduced, approaching from the front prevents startling.

Define sundowning.

Increased confusion or agitation that begins when the sun sets.

List two interventions to manage sundowning.

Provide meaningful activities before dusk and maintain a calm environment.

What is agitation, and how might it present in dementia?

Feelings of irritability or restlessness that can lead to wandering or pacing.

Explain why behaviors can be a form of communication in late-stage dementia.

As verbal skills decline, residents express needs or fears through actions and behaviors.

Give one safety tip for personal positioning when dealing with potentially aggressive residents.

Always keep a clear path to the exit.

What federal act requires residents to be informed of treatment choices?

The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991.

Differentiate between Full Code and DNR.

Full Code requests CPR if breathing or heartbeat stops; DNR declines CPR.

What is the role of a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for healthcare?

A legally appointed person who makes healthcare decisions when the resident cannot.

Define hospice care.

Supportive, comfort-focused care for terminally ill patients, typically in the last 6–12 months of life.

What skin change called mottling indicates decreased circulation near death?

Purplish or blotchy red-blue coloring on limbs and body.

Why should petroleum-based lip products be avoided in residents on oxygen?

They are flammable and can pose a safety risk.

During post-mortem care, what should be done with dentures and glasses?

They should accompany the resident to the funeral home.

List the five stages of grief identified in Unit 10.

Denial, Anger, Bargaining (Undoing), Depression, Acceptance.

When supporting a grieving family, why should a nurse aide avoid saying, “I know how you feel”?

It can minimize or invalidate their unique emotions.

Define trauma-informed care.

Care that recognizes past trauma and its impact to provide appropriate support.

What is reality orientation’s main goal?

To help residents stay aware of person, place, and time.

Give an example of repression as a defense mechanism.

Unconsciously forgetting a painful event.

Why might a resident with Alzheimer’s accuse others of stealing?

Because of misplacing items and inability to retrace steps.

Name two nurse aide interventions to deescalate resident-to-resident conflict.

Use a calm approach and gently separate residents while identifying triggers.

What simple nighttime beverage might help a sleepless dementia resident relax?

A cup of warm milk.

How can knowing a resident’s life history prevent wandering behaviors?

It helps staff provide meaningful distractions tied to past routines (e.g., farming chores).

Why is it critical to talk to an unresponsive resident near death?

Hearing is believed to be the last sense to fade, so they may still comprehend speech.

Which hallucination type involves seeing things that are not present?

Visual hallucinations.

What should a nurse aide do if a distraction fails to calm a resident’s negative behavior?

Do not force the activity; try another approach or caregiver.

Stages of Dementia

1. Mild, individual knows something is wrong but still independent

2. Moderate; wandering and pacing, short and long term memory loss, sleep problems and sundowning, and hallucinations

3. Severe; dependent for ADLs, inability to speak or swallow, totally incontinent, does not recognize self or family, disoriented to time and place

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s

Age, family history, genetics, and lifestyle