Care CEUs

1. When hospitalization occurs, the best option for the patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is:

A. A doctor who is a geriatric care specialist B. A nursing assistant who can spend quality time with the individual C. The constant presence of a family member or trusted friend

2. Which of the following is an inaccurate fact about AD:

A. Most people diagnosed with the disease are over the age of 65. B. The average length of time from the beginning of symptoms until death is 8 years. C. Although there is no single test to identify AD, a thorough evaluation can provide a correct diagnosis 90% of the time. D. There are drug treatments for memory symptoms but no cure for the disease at present. E. There are known, specific genetic causes of AD.

3. Which of the following is NOT listed as an effective communication technique / tip?

A. Simplify the environment for the AD patient. B. Use concrete language and repeat your questions the same way. C. Try to reinforce a connection by asking the AD patient, "Don't you remember me?" D. Reassure through words as well as non-verbal cues such as a reassuring touch or smile. E. Listen to the patient and give the person plenty of time to respond to your questions.

4. Which one of the following Emergency Room Assessment Tips is mis-stated:

A. Be alert for non-verbal communication of pain or discomfort like grimacing, guarding or anger. B. Minimize the assessment to the affected area to avoid agitating the AD patient with excess poking and prodding. C. Cue the AD patient to the environment and activity continuously and avoid leaving them alone. D. Tell the patient what your are doing and why throughout the examination. E. Obtain information from a caregiver about the patient's usual level of consciousness to determine if increased dementia or delirium might be due to acute physical illness or metabolic distress.

5. As a general guideline it is recommended to use physical restraints if necessary with agitated AD patients to prevent falls.

A. True B. False

6. Which of the comfort and safety tips below is not advised?

A. Make sure patient "comfort items" (which make him feel secure) are within reach. B. Place the patient in a room that allows easy observation and where he has to pass the nursing station to reach an exit. C. Try to provide consistent staff to attend to the patient and encourage each staff/patient interaction to include eye contact, orienting information and an activity the patient can perform with success. D. Provide a safe and structured 'clutter free' environment with a bed in low position. E. All of the above are advised

7. Which of the following is considered a positive approach to personal care for an AD patient?

A. Having the patient fill out their own menu according to their food preferences. B. Ensuring the patient gets three large meals daily and avoiding finger foods. C. Bathing consistently in the morning hours in a shower. D. Brushing the AD patient's teeth at least twice a day and giving apples and other fresh fruit to less impaired patients. E. Scheduling toileting for about every 5 hours.

8. Which is NOT mentioned as a tip for protecting tubes and dressings?

A. Tape NG tubes to the side of the face, place tube behind the ear and fasten to the shoulder area of the gown with a pin. B. Run peripheral intravenous line tubing up the arm of a long sleeve gown and out the neck of the gown. C. Keep central venous pressure lines under the gown with a point of departure through the sleeve. D. Run foley catheters directly from the area of insertion to the end of the bed (tape to abdomen in men) and put undergarments on to minimize access to catheters. E. All of these are mentioned.

9. Which of the following behavioral changes and "possible strategies" for resolution is mis-matched?

A. For changes in sleep patterns some suggestions are reviewing medication side effects, attending to toilet needs before bedtime, limiting caffeine and keeping with the at-home routine. B. For confusion some suggestions are reviewing medication side effects, simplifying tasks, simplifying communication, using pictures for room location and decreasing noise levels. C. For wandering some suggestions are planned walks and talks with the patient, activities, snacks and music distractions, learning strategies from the caregiver that work at home and placement in a room where patient can be watched. D. For patient overreaction some suggestions are to remain clam, use low vocal tones, don't argue, come back to activity or task later, do not force or restrain patient, simplify the task and the communication. E. All of the above are correctly matched.