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Case Study: A caregiver reports that their loved one with Alzheimer’s forgets to take their medication. What is a possible solution?
Answer: Use a pill organizer, medication reminders, or caregiver supervision.
Case Study: A dementia patient refuses a bath, becoming aggressive. What is an effective approach?
Answer: Offer choices, maintain a calm voice, and try at a different time.
Question: Why is hydration crucial in dementia patients?
Answer: Dehydration can worsen confusion and increase the risk of delirium.
Question: What non-medical strategies can help manage dementia-related aggression?
Answer: Redirection, validation therapy, and sensory activities.
Case Study: You hear a loud noise and find Mrs. Delgado, a 79-year-old with dementia, on the floor next to her bed. She is awake but appears confused and is trying to get up. What are the three critical steps you should take before assisting her?
Question: How can healthcare aides distinguish delirium from dementia in an elderly patient?
Answer: Delirium has a sudden onset with fluctuating symptoms and is often reversible, while dementia develops gradually and is irreversible.
Case Study: Mr. Patel, 85, was hospitalized for pneumonia and now appears confused, disoriented, and agitated. His daughter says he was alert before admission. What condition is most likely?
Answer: Delirium due to infection and hospitalization.
Case Study: A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, and excessive spending. What phase is he likely experiencing?
Answer: Manic episode.
Question: What are three key characteristics of conduct disorder?
Answer: Aggression toward people/animals, destruction of property, and deceitfulness.
Case Study: Mr. Evans, an 85-year-old with dementia, frequently attempts to get out of bed at night. He has poor balance and has fallen twice in the past month. His family requests side rails to prevent him from falling, but facility policy discourages restraints unless absolutely necessary. What are three safer alternatives to prevent falls while maintaining his dignity and mobility?
Case Study: Mr. Thompson, a 78-year-old retired teacher, has started forgetting recent conversations, repeating the same questions, and misplacing objects frequently. His wife reports he sometimes gets lost in familiar places. What condition does Mr. Thompson most likely have, and what is a key intervention?
Answer: Likely Alzheimer’s disease. Key intervention: Establish a consistent routine, use memory aids, and provide a safe environment.
Case Study: Mrs. Lewis, 82, is diagnosed with advanced dementia. She refuses to eat, accusing caregivers of trying to poison her. What approach should the healthcare aide take?
Answer: Stay calm, offer reassurance, avoid arguing, and try different food textures or presentation to encourage eating.
Question: What are two major differences between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia?
Answer: Alzheimer’s has a gradual onset with memory loss as the first symptom, while vascular dementia often occurs suddenly after a stroke and presents with stepwise cognitive decline.
Case Study: A patient with moderate Alzheimer’s starts wandering at night and appears agitated. What is an effective non-pharmacological strategy to manage this behavior?
Answer: Ensure daily physical activity, provide a calm nighttime routine, and use door alarms for safety.
Question: What are common causes of delirium in elderly patients?
Answer: Infections, medication side effects, dehydration, and metabolic imbalances.
Case Study: A patient with dementia is suddenly more confused and restless. What should the healthcare aide do first?
Answer: Check for underlying causes such as a urinary tract infection, dehydration, or medication side effects.
Question: What are two key differences between Parkinson’s dementia and Lewy body dementia?
Answer: Parkinson’s dementia develops in patients who already have Parkinson’s, whereas Lewy body dementia presents with fluctuating cognition, hallucinations, and Parkinson-like symptoms.
Case Study: A patient with Lewy body dementia frequently sees small animals that aren’t there. What is the best response?
Answer: Avoid arguing, provide reassurance, and modify the environment to reduce visual triggers.
Question: What medication should be avoided in Lewy body dementia due to severe sensitivity?
Answer: Antipsychotics (especially Haloperidol), as they can worsen symptoms.
Case Study: A 30-year-old patient with schizophrenia believes that people are spying on him through the television. What is an appropriate healthcare aide response?
Answer: Acknowledge his feelings, avoid challenging the delusion, and provide reassurance.
Question: What is the main treatment approach for bipolar disorder?
Answer: Mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate, combined with therapy.
Case Study: A patient with bipolar disorder in a depressive episode refuses to leave his room. What strategy could help?
Answer: Encourage small daily activities, offer social engagement, and avoid overwhelming demands.
Case Study: Mrs. Carter, an 82-year-old with moderate dementia, was recently found on the floor beside her bed. She was confused but uninjured. Upon checking her room, you notice dim lighting, a loose rug near the bed, and a nightstand with multiple items cluttering the surface. What are three specific safety modifications you should make to reduce her fall risk?
Case Study: Mr. Johnson, a 76-year-old dementia patient, was found placing a blanket over his bedside lamp, which started to overheat. When you intervene, he becomes agitated, insisting he was “just making it warmer.” What are the three immediate steps you should take to ensure his safety while respecting his dignity?
Answer:
Case Study: You enter Ms. Reynolds’ room and notice she has gathered various objects, including scissors, a hairbrush, and a blister pack of medication that should be stored securely. She becomes defensive when you attempt to take them away, saying, “These are mine, and I need them!” What are three appropriate actions you should take while respecting her autonomy?