Question 1

A toddler was found face down in a pool and appears to have been missing for approximately 10 minutes. As a result of being deprived of oxygen for several minutes, which type of developmental disability may develop according to Table 29-1 (in the text) ?

Accepted Answer

A developmental disability that occurs after birth as a result of trauma or illness is an acquired disability. The causes of cerebral palsy include lack of oxygen to the brain before, during, or after birth or early childhood accidents that cause brain injury or deprive the brain of oxygen. Genetic disorders are inherited from parents. Congenital disorders are present at birth. Causes of autism are unknown, but it is likely a genetic disorder.

Question 2

Which piece of legislation ensures that people who have disabilities are treated the same as those without disabilities?

Accepted Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that people who have disabilities are treated the same as those without disabilities, by guaranteeing people with disabilities access to public education, employment, and public places such as parks, restaurants, and transportation. Medicare provides medical care for elderly citizens. The Arc protects the rights of the mentally disabled, whereas the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation protects those residing in long-term care facilities.

Question 3

The Arc of the United States protects the rights of:

Accepted Answer

The Arc of the United States is an organization that promotes the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. This is not the focus of the other options.

Question 4

The nursing assistant is caring for a hospitalized adult client diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome. The client was admitted with a reddened area on the palm of the right hand in the shape of a curling iron. The guardian has been with the client and has helped the client with toileting. What is the first action for the nursing assistant to take?

Accepted Answer

A client with Fragile X has an inherited type of intellectual disability characterized by behavior problems, delayed speech, and communication skills. The best action to take is to determine how the client communicates. The nursing assistant can then find out from the client if this was an accident caused by the client using a curling iron. The nursing assistant can ask the guardian next what happened to determine whether the two reports match. The last action to take would be to report this as possible physical abuse so it will be investigated further.

Question 5

The nursing assistant is caring for a child with autism who is admitted to the hospital for an appendectomy. What is the best way for the nursing assistant to prepare to communicate with the client?

Accepted Answer

A person with autism may have extreme difficulty communicating and relating to other people and surroundings. Autism can affect a person's reasoning skills, language skills, ability to socialize, ability to perform self-care activities, and response to touch and pain. The best way the nursing assistant can communicate with the child is to ask the parent. This provides consistency for the child. The RN may or may not be employing the same methods that the parent uses, and this could cause issues. Using basic information from a textbook or trying what worked well with another client with autism may not work because each person is an individual with unique needs.

Question 6

The nursing assistant is caring for a resident diagnosed with Down syndrome who suddenly develops a temperature of 101°F, pulse rate of 100, respiration rate of 28, blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg. What is the priority action for the nursing assistant to take?

Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant predicts that frequent respiratory tract infections are common among people with Down syndrome, due to muscle weakness (which affects the muscles used for breathing) and a compromised immune system. The vital signs are abnormal, and the observations should be reported to the nurse immediately. The nurse would assess the resident's lungs. Providing more fluids would help thin the mucous secretions and help replace fluids lost with fever, but would not be the priority action. The nursing assistant could examine the urine, but respiratory infections are more common than urinary tract infections.

Question 7

Which is an effective way to communicate with a person who has a developmental disability?

Accepted Answer

Using simple words and short phrases can aid communication when caring for a person who has a developmental disability. Unless the person also has hearing loss, there is no reason to raise the voice. Writing things down is unlikely to facilitate communication with a person who is developmentally disabled. Picture boards and photographs are appropriate for those with speech problems.

Question 8

Which statement about the needs of a person with a developmental disability is true?

Accepted Answer

The degree to which a person is disabled varies greatly from person to person. Hence, care is tailored to the individual person's needs, and which will vary greatly depending on the severity and type of disability. The other statements are not true and would result in the person's potential not being reached or needs not being met.

Question 9

The nursing assistant will immediately report to the nurse when a resident diagnosed with a developmental disability:

Accepted Answer

A change in a person's mental status should be reported immediately since it can mean the person is ill. The other options should be recorded, but they are not as potentially serious as the correct option.

Question 10

How can the nursing assistant best tell if a resident with a developmental disability is in pain?

Accepted Answer

Because many people with severe developmental disabilities have difficulty communicating, they may be unable to say if they are experiencing pain or discomfort. Watch for small changes in a person's behavior, eating habits, or sleeping habits. Changes like these may be a sign that the person is ill. The person may not be able to understand or answer the question about being in pain. Vital signs may change when a person is in pain, but they may occur only with moderate-to-severe pain. Offering to get pain medication is not an effective way to determine whether a resident is in pain.

Question 11

In order to best care for a resident with a developmental disability, the nursing assistant will:

Accepted Answer

When caring for a person with a developmental disability, make sure to learn as much as possible about that person. Focusing on the person's abilities instead of disabilities will help the nursing assistant to provide the standard of care that each client or resident needs. Although the other options are correct, they are not the best means of providing good care.

Question 12

An example of a life skill would be:

Accepted Answer

Special educational programs are focused on the individual's needs and may cover a wide range of topics: self-care skills (e.g., eating and dressing), life skills (e.g., using a cellular telephone), social skills (e.g., understanding appropriate behavior and "limits"), and vocational training that focuses on teaching work skills that help people with disabilities.

Question 13

Which statement is true about developmental disabilities?

Accepted Answer

The severity of the disability varies from person to person, even among people with the same condition. A developmental disability can affect a person's mental function or physical function or both. Developmental disabilities can be managed but generally not cured. Events before, during, and after birth can result in developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities can be managed but generally not cured.

Question 14

The nursing assistant will be assigned a new client with a congenital abnormality called spina bifida. The nursing assistant can anticipate this client may have which type of problem requiring nursing care?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida is a congenital spinal column abnormality characterized by weakness or paralysis from the waist down, depending on the severity of the defect. The person also commonly has problems with bowel and bladder control. Spina bifida does not cause any of the conditions suggested by the other options.

Question 15

When caring for a resident with a developmental disability, the nursing assistant notes that the resident is acting unusually. The resident seems to be warm to the touch, refusing to get out of bed, and has not eaten breakfast or lunch. What is the first intervention the nursing assistant should take?

Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant should take the resident's vital signs and then inform the RN of any changes like an elevated temperature or fast pulse. The client could be getting ill. Neither ordering more food nor removing the blanket on the bed will assist the staff in diagnosing what is happening with this client. The RN should be notified immediately of the client's vital signs.

Question 16

The nursing assistant is caring for a client with spina bifida and observes that the urine has a strong odor and is cloudy. What is the first intervention the nursing assistant should take?

Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant observes a change in the client's urine and should first obtain the vital signs and then report the observations and vital signs immediately to the RN. The nurse will further assess the client and obtain an order for a urine specimen, which may be delegated to the nursing assistant. Providing more fluids first would be appropriate if the urine was dark and concentrated, which would indicate that the client could be becoming dehydrated.

Question 17

The nursing assistant (NA) is caring for a resident diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome. What observations should the NA report to the nurse immediately? The resident:

Accepted Answer

The NA predicts that the resident with Fragile X syndrome will have behavioral problems such as temper tantrums, anger, hyperactivity, and mood changes. The resident is having a temper tantrum and hits and tries to bite the NA, and this needs to be immediately reported to the nurse. It is acceptable to eat part of an afternoon snack. The resident is exhibiting a desire for control by wanting to go to bed instead of the chair, so forcing the resident to stay in a chair goes against the resident's rights. The resident being engaged during an activity and wanting to participate longer is not an immediate concern.

Question 18

The nursing assistant prepares to provide care for a client with cerebral palsy. What is the appropriate action for the nursing assistant to take?

Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant should discover the client's strengths and focus upon them, helping as needed. Focusing on the developmental disability, rather than the client's abilities, does not allow the client to function at the highest potential. Administering total care does not allow the client the right to exercise independence. The client with cerebral palsy does not have communication problems.

Question 19

The nursing assistant is caring for a resident with Down syndrome. Which is the best way to communicate with the resident about the need to eat foods with less salt? The nursing assistant:

Accepted Answer

The best way to communicate with the resident with a developmental disability is to use short simple phrases and then remove the saltshaker. The resident has a low intellectual functioning level because of their developmental disability and will most likely not understand materials written at a fifth-grade reading level or how to read food labels. Preparing the food with an herbal alternative for salt does not communicate the need to not add salt to food in simple terms so the resident can understand.

Question 20

The nursing assistant is caring for a resident with autism and observes that the resident loses consciousness and has a seizure while in bed. What is the first intervention the nursing assistant should take?

Accepted Answer

The nursing assistant observing that the resident is having a seizure should remove any objects in bed that the resident may hit while moving, as these objects pose a risk for injury to the resident. Then the nursing assistant may note the time the seizure began and time how long it lasts. The nursing assistant can report the observation immediately to the nurse and get further assistance while staying with the resident. The nursing assistant may need help turn the resident and pad the side rails, so the nurse should arrive quickly to help (see Chapter 16, page 347 "Seizures" for further details).

Quiz 29: Caring for People With Developmental Disabilities