Dementia and Cognitive Care Flashcards

Which environmental design feature is most helpful for residents with dementia?

Answer: Consistent, familiar environments with clear signage and good lighting

Predictable, well-lit environments with clear wayfinding reduce confusion and anxiety in residents with dementia.

When a resident with dementia becomes agitated, which non-pharmacological approach should be tried first?

Answer: Identify and address the trigger, offer a calm presence, and use redirection

Non-pharmacological approaches such as identifying triggers, calming reassurance, and redirection are the first-line response to agitation.

What does the term 'elopement' mean in a long-term care setting?

Answer: A cognitively impaired resident leaving the facility unsafely without staff awareness

Elopement refers to a cognitively impaired resident leaving unsupervised, creating serious safety risks including exposure, injury, or death.

Which medication class is commonly used for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease but carries a black box warning for increased mortality in older adults?

Answer: Antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, quetiapine)

Antipsychotics carry an FDA black box warning for increased risk of death when used in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

A caregiver notices a resident with dementia appears to be in pain but cannot verbalize it. Which tool helps assess pain in non-verbal residents?

Answer: PAINAD (Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia) scale

The PAINAD scale assesses pain in non-verbal dementia patients by observing breathing, vocalization, facial expressions, body language, and consolability.

Which approach best supports dignity and quality of life for a resident in late-stage dementia?

Answer: Providing comfort-focused care, meaningful sensory engagement, and compassionate presence

Comfort-focused care that incorporates gentle sensory engagement and human connection preserves dignity in late-stage dementia.