Emotional, Mental Health & Cognitive-Impairment Care — Certified Nursing Assistant Practice Test
48 questions in this topic · 30 drawn at random this round
A resident with dementia suddenly becomes agitated and aggressive. What should the nurse aide assume first?
Session Progress
This Certified Nursing Assistant Emotional, Mental Health & Cognitive-Impairment Care practice set has 48 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation.
Sample questions
Three questions from the Emotional, Mental Health & Cognitive-Impairment Care bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.
If a resident becomes upset and says something insulting to the nurse aide, the BEST response is to:
- Stay calm and not take the resident's words personally — Correct answer
- Insult the resident back so they learn respect
- Leave the resident alone for the rest of the shift as punishment
- Argue with the resident until they admit they were wrong
Explanation: The aide should stay calm and not take the behavior personally. An upset resident's words often come from illness, fear, or frustration, not from the aide. Keeping calm shows dignity (尊严/dignidad) and keeps the resident safe. (Source: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health; OBRA-87)
Handbook: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health
A resident with dementia keeps insisting it is the wrong year. The nurse aide should:
- Avoid arguing, stay calm, and gently redirect the resident — Correct answer
- Argue firmly until the resident agrees on the correct year
- Tell the resident they are crazy and should be quiet
- Raise your voice so the resident understands the truth
Explanation: Do not argue with an upset or confused resident. Arguing increases agitation and never changes the resident's belief. Stay calm, listen, and redirect or reassure. (Source: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health; OBRA-87)
Handbook: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health
When a resident's behavior becomes difficult, an important way for the nurse aide to help is to:
- Modify his or her own behavior and approach to the resident — Correct answer
- Demand that the resident change their behavior immediately
- Threaten to take away the resident's privileges
- Restrain the resident to stop the behavior
Explanation: The aide can often change the situation by modifying his or her OWN behavior — lowering the voice, slowing down, simplifying tasks — rather than trying to control the resident. Adjusting the aide's approach reduces distress. (Source: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health; OBRA-87)
Handbook: Psychosocial Care Skills — Emotional/Mental Health