Psychological Care Skill

If a client expresses anger during care, which of the following would be an APPROPRIATE response for the nurse aide to make? (A) "Why are you being so mean today?" (B) "You should not say such mean things to people." (C) "I will come back when your bad mood is over." (D) "You seem upset. Would you like to talk about it?"

(D) "You seem upset. Would you like to talk about it?"

When a client has memory loss or confusion, the nurse aide SHOULD: (A) laugh at the client's confused statements. (B) speak loudly to the client. (C) ignore the client. (D) give the client simple step-by-step instructions.

(D) give the client simple step-by-step instructions.

The nurse aide is assigned to a client who frequently expresses concerns about the care the client is receiving. When the client begins to express concern, the nurse aide SHOULD: (A) remind the client that no one is perfect. (B) suggest that the client live with a family member. (C) refuse to care for the client until the client stops expressing concerns. (D) listen carefully to show concern and willingness to help.

(D) listen carefully to show concern and willingness to help.

One of the MOST important tasks in caring for the agitated or confused client is to: (A) transfer the client to a mental health hospital for proper care. (B) request that the nurse administer a tranquilizer for the client. (C) restrain the client until the primary health care provider examines the client. (D) protect the client and others from physical harm

(D) protect the client and others from physical harm

When working with a client with Alzheimer's disease, it is IMPORTANT that the nurse aide: (A) speak very loudly. (B) approach the client from behind. (C) correct the client every time the client forgets a word. (D) provide a regular routine for the client

(D) provide a regular routine for the client

A new client expressed to the nurse aide, "I would love to go to my religious services weekly." What SHOULD the nurse aide do? (A) Report the client's statement to the nurse (B) Tell the client's family of the client's wishes (C) Share this information with another nurse aide to coordinate when to take the client (D) Not share this information because the client's personal wishes should be kept private

(A) Report the client's statement to the nurse

To orient a new client to the facility, it would be BEST for the nurse aide to: (A) inform the client that it is mandatory to participate in activities. (B) encourage the client to make friends with at least two other clients. (C) introduce the client to other clients and staff members. (D) restrict visits from the client's family during the first month.

(C) introduce the client to other clients and staff members.

A client requests that the nurse aide call the client's minister. The nurse aide SHOULD: (A) ask the client why the client wants the nurse aide to call the minister. (B) tell the client that this is not part of the nurse aide's job. (C) tell the client that the nurse aide will inform the nurse of the client's request. (D) call the minister for the client.

(C) tell the client that the nurse aide will inform the nurse of the client's request.

A patient has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. On a spiritual front, the most appropriate action for the nursing assistant to take is to ____. A. share your religious beliefs and understanding of the afterlife with the patient to give them hope B. avoid discussing the diagnosis unless the patient brings it up C. offer to contact a pastor or spirutal leader if the patient desires it D. pray for the patient aloud so they can see how much you care

C. offer to contact a pastor or spirutal leader if the patient desires it

When encountering residents with culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds, one of the actions that can help caregivers provide effective care is to ____. A. ask a coworker to take over care for diverse residents who make you feel uncomfortable B. avoid interactions with diverse residents until you feel totally comfortable C. recognize when stereotyping occurs and work to correct it D. talk slowly and loudly so that you are understood

C. recognize when stereotyping occurs and work to correct it

All of these are ways that a nursing assistant can help a resident who is dealing with his or her impending death, except ____. A. sitting and listening if the resident wants to talk about it B. spending more time with the resident than you normally would so you are available to offer support C. spending less time with the resident so there is no pressure to be sociable D. giving the resident privacy if they ask for it

C. spending less time with the resident so there is no pressure to be sociable

The term spiritual distress means ____. A. the feeling that you regret the choices you've made in life B. the feeling of not being sure which religious group to belong to C. the feeling of loss of hope for the future D. the feeling that there is no God

C. the feeling of loss of hope for the future

How is family an important part of cultural awareness? A. Different cultures may have different expectations of gender roles. B. Different spiritual beliefs may affect how much care the family allows. C. Different cultures may interpret the role of caregivers quite differently than the way the care plan is written. D. All of these are correct.

D. All of these are correct.

Which of these is the most significant reason that adjusting to aging might be difficult for a resident? A. He or she may have lost a spouse or significant other. B. He or she may resist physical help with activities of daily living such as dressing and bathing. C. He or she has too much free time and choice in recreational activities. D. He or she must depend on daily medications to maintain health.

A. He or she may have lost a spouse or significant other.

Which of these is not an appropriate way to deal with the stress of being a caregiver? A. Talk to your co-workers about your patients during lunch to vent frustrations. B. Exercise and get outside for fresh air. C. Learn something new. D. Join a new club.

A. Talk to your co-workers about your patients during lunch to vent frustrations.

You are caring for a Japanese man who just had bilateral knee surgery. When you try and put his anti-embolism stockings on, he winces and then looks away and stares off into the corner. Your best response is to ____. A. acknowledge that putting on the stockings can be painful and ask if he is in any pain currently B. tell the nurse that the patient is in pain and needs pain meds C. tell the patient that he was very brave while you were putting on the stockings and that you are proud of him for his cooperation D. assume that the patient is no longer in pain as he is no longer wincing

A. acknowledge that putting on the stockings can be painful and ask if he is in any pain currently

One of the caring characteristics that helps a nursing assistant care for residents is empathy. Which of these is the best definition of this term? A. all of these B. seeing yourself in others' situations without pitying them C. taking time to try to understand the cause of misbehavior D. being aware of what you say and what effect it has on others

A. all of these

Talking to residents about spiritual beliefs can have an effect on ____. A. all of these B. a resident's feeling of "connectedness" with their caregiver C. a resident's physical health D. a resident's mental health

A. all of these

Which of these is not a common cause of constipation? A. an increase in intestinal motility B. not drinking enough water C. ignoring the urge to go D. a low fiber diet

A. an increase in intestinal motility

Which of these is not a sign of depression? A. increased interest in participating in social activities B. increased amount of time sleeping C. withdrawal D. a decrease in appetite

A. increased interest in participating in social activities

A family member is angry that her loved one is unhappy. As a nursing assistant, the best way to handle the situation is to ____. A. listen politely and tell her you will share her concerns with the nurse B. tell her you will leave for a few minutes so she can calm down C. ask her to put the complaints in writing D. calmly explain it is not your responsibility to discuss the resident's care

A. listen politely and tell her you will share her concerns with the nurse

You notice a change in a resident's mental condition. The best course of action is to ____. A. report the change immediately to the charge nurse B. plan to spend extra time with this resident as he or she may need more assistance than normal C. try to use a sense of humor to lighten the mood of the resident D. ask the resident if he or she has noticed a change in his or her personality

A. report the change immediately to the charge nurse

Which of these is not a normal biological change to the body from the aging process? A. the ability to make decisions is weakened B. the movement of food from the digestive system becomes slower C. bones become thinner and less strong D. joints become stiffer and less flexible

A. the ability to make decisions is weakened

A resident is pacing around his room, yelling and swearing. What is the first action the nursing assistant should take? A. Tell the resident to calm down. B. Call the charge nurse. C. Attempt to apply restraints. D. Call the resident's family to assist with the situation.

B. Call the charge nurse.

Which of these is true about cultural awareness in a care facility? A. Cultural awareness is not practical in a large facility handling too many residents. B. Cultural awareness is ideal but is sometimes sacrificed when it costs too much to implement. C. If a facility is interested in treating the "whole" person, cultural awareness has to be a part of the staff's training. D. Cultural awareness is ideal but not always practical because there may not be enough staff to meet these needs.

C. If a facility is interested in treating the "whole" person, cultural awareness has to be a part of the staff's training.

As a nursing assistant there are ways you can help a resident meet his or her spiritual needs. Which of these would discourage, rather than encourage them? A. You respond positively when a resident's visitor asks for privacy to pray with the resident. B. You assist when a resident asks you to see if the visiting pastor has time to stop and see him or her. C. You tell the resident you are not allowed to engage with residents about their beliefs. D. You sit and listen when a resident wants to tell you about a religious experience.

C. You tell the resident you are not allowed to engage with residents about their beliefs.

Elizabeth Kübler-Ross describes the stages of grief a person goes through when they lose someone close to them. She believes the first stage of the grieving process is ____. A. depression B. acceptance C. denial D. anger

C. denial

What is the implied meaning of this statement by Killian and Waite from the article, "Cultural Diversity Best Practices" as it applies to caregivers? "Another reason for increasing cultural proficiency is the growing number of healthcare providers and workers from other countries who have become colleagues within the healthcare delivery system." A. Diversity in the workforce will make it much easier for colleagues to work together. B. Diversity in the workforce will require the healthcare team to be able to work cohesively among team members with different belief systems. C. Diversity in the workforce will have little effect upon healthcare workers. D. Diversity in the workforce will change job roles for members of the healthcare team.

B. Diversity in the workforce will require the healthcare team to be able to work cohesively among team members with different belief systems.

Which of these is true about spirituality in a care facility? A. Family members need to take charge of the resident's spiritual needs and are responsible for bringing in members of a church so the resident doesn't have to worry about it. B. It is a resident's right to practice his or her own religious beliefs, even if those beliefs are different from any other resident or staff member in the building. C. It is important for nursing assistants who have religious beliefs to share their ideas with the residents under their care so those who are dying have reassurance. D. Employees are morally and ethically obligated to share religious beliefs if they have them so a resident is not without hope.

B. It is a resident's right to practice his or her own religious beliefs, even if those beliefs are different from any other resident or staff member in the building.

Which of these is a positive way of dealing with cultural differences? A. Realize that cultural differences can be related to intellectual deficiencies. B. Learn and use key words in the person's own language, visual aids, gestures, and prompts. C. Choose a coworker who is the most similar in cultural beliefs to work with the resident. D. Ask family members to take over the difficult, culturally-specific parts of care.

B. Learn and use key words in the person's own language, visual aids, gestures, and prompts.

A resident who consistently becomes more confused during dusk, early evening, or during the night is most likely suffering from ____. A. psychosis B. Sundowner's Syndrome C. dementia D. Alzheimer's disease

B. Sundowner's Syndrome

Participation in religious activities can provide all of these important patient benefits, except ____. A. reducing a resident's isolation B. allowing more time for the CNA to get a break from their duties C. increasing a resident's sense of belonging D. promoting social contact with others

B. allowing more time for the CNA to get a break from their duties

One of the most basic ways a caregiver can provide spiritual and emotional care to a patient is by ____. A. asking if he or she is getting adequate food B. asking if he or she has any questions C. asking if he or she needs more family visits D. asking if he or she needs a counselor

B. asking if he or she has any questions

Which of these is the most important factor when providing care to people from specific ethnic groups? A. talking with a higher volume so the patient clearly hears what is being said B. communication C. physical distance away from the patient D. learning everything about the patient's culture

B. communication

Caring for a resident's psychosocial needs as a CNA is just as important as caring for his or her physiological needs. The term psychosocial needs generally refers to ____. A. emotional and recreational well-being B. emotional and mental well-being C. physical and intellectual well-being D. intellectual and spiritual well-being

B. emotional and mental well-being

Encouraging residents to participate in their care and in activities helps with emotional and mental health needs by ____. A. making them more mobile B. improving their sense of independence and outlook C. holding them accountable for completing tasks D. relieving the burden on the caregiver, who already has too many tasks to complete

B. improving their sense of independence and outlook

A resident catches you off guard with a comment that is sexual. Your best response would be to ____. A. make a humorous comment in return B. let the resident know that the comment is not acceptable to you C. change the conversation to a different subject D. walk away and pretend you did not hear it

B. let the resident know that the comment is not acceptable to you

A resident recently learned that her spouse has died. The best response the nursing assistant can give is to ____. A. bring in other residents frequently so it occupies the resident's time B. sit and offer support if the resident wants to talk about it C. introduce humor to lighten the mood D. ignore the topic and switch the conversation if the resident gets emotional so it takes his or her mind off of it

B. sit and offer support if the resident wants to talk about it

As a nursing assistant, you may encounter residents who are anxious or feeling unsettled about either their circumstances or surroundings. The best response in dealing with this anxiety is to ____. A. turn on the radio or television to distract the resident from their immediate thoughts B. speak in a calm voice and exhibit a calm and comforting demeanor C. open the shades to let in more light and brighten the surroundings D. leave the room so the resident can re-group and re-focus in private

B. speak in a calm voice and exhibit a calm and comforting demeanor

A resident's family is visiting and it is time to perform a procedure. The family asks for time to pray with the resident. Which of these is not an acceptable response? A. Ask the family and resident if they have any questions about the procedure that might ease their worry before you give them privacy to pray. B. Tell the family you will return shortly. C. Give the family and resident privacy. D. Ask the family to leave so the procedure can start as scheduled, but offer to let the resident pray to themselves during the process.

D. Ask the family to leave so the procedure can start as scheduled, but offer to let the resident pray to themselves during the process.

Which of these descriptions represents a Western cultural view of health and wellness? A. Responsibility for one's own health and wellness lays with one's cultural group and relies on care provided by others. B. Treatment of illness relies on herbal remedies dispensed by practitioners trained through apprenticeships. C. Illness is due to supernatural, religious, or magical causes. D. Illness is caused by biological and medical sources (i.e., bacteria, viruses, germs, and cancer).

D. Illness is caused by biological and medical sources (i.e., bacteria, viruses, germs, and cancer).

A resident in your care is frustrated, upset, and raising his voice in complaint. Which of these is the best response to his actions? A. Report the incident to the supervising nurse. B. Walk away from the patient in an effort to show you won't tolerate the behavior. C. Ask the resident to lower his voice in courtesy to other residents who are getting upset. D. Offer support and care using a comforting and calming manner.

D. Offer support and care using a comforting and calming manner.

A resident in your care has just received news of a death in the family. What is the best way to assist them with the grieving process? A. Suggest that the resident get his or her mind off of things by thinking of something pleasant. B. Tell the resident about an experience you had with death and what helped you cope with it. C. Remind the resident that death is inevitable. D. Spend some time with the resident, particularly offering support if he or she wishes to talk about it.

D. Spend some time with the resident, particularly offering support if he or she wishes to talk about it.

A resident died and his roommate is upset and wants to discuss it with you. What is the best action to take? A. Try and distract the patient by changing the subject and bringing up something happy. B. Remind the patient that death is a natural part of life and reassure him his roommate had a great life and is in a better place. C. Talk to the patient about a time you lost someone you loved and how you dealt with it. D. Talk with the roommate and allow him to express his feelings.

D. Talk with the roommate and allow him to express his feelings.

When working with residents who may have cultural differences, it is important to respect personal space. Which of these is the best way for a CNA to honor personal space? A. The CNA avoids the use of touch as much as is possible. B. The CNA only talks to the patient when no one else is present. C. The CNA has the patient's family provide as much personal care as possible. D. The CNA explains care and procedures in terms that the patient understands.

D. The CNA explains care and procedures in terms that the patient understands.

Which of these could be a major contributing factor to a resident's resentment of family members? A. missing family meals together B. missing annual birthday parties C. a feeling of spiritual unrest by missing church attendance with family D. a feeling of abandonment because of being placed in others' care

D. a feeling of abandonment because of being placed in others' care

When a patient is dying, the last of the five senses the patient loses is ____. A. taste B. touch C. sight D. hearing

D. hearing

All of these could be described as positive benefits of the role religion can play, except ____. A. helping to facilitate a sense of meaning and comfort B. as a means for increasing tolerance to cope with difficulties C. helping to facilitate a more positive and hopeful attitude about the resident's care that in turn can improve health outcomes D. serving as a way for the resident to gain independence and separate from his or her family

D. serving as a way for the resident to gain independence and separate from his or her family