NEW YORK ALZHEIMER'S CARE CNA ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM | STUDY
GUIDE | TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | QUESTIONS | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Table of Contents: Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Concepts — Person-Centered
Care — Communication & Behavioral Symptoms — Safety, Wandering &
Environmental Risks — Activities & Cognitive Support — ADLs & Personal Care —
Nutrition, Hydration & Swallowing — Infection Prevention — Documentation &
Reporting — Resident Rights, Ethics & Professional Boundaries — End-of-Life and
Family Support — New York CNA Regulatory Considerations
Introduction
This practice assessment focuses on advanced application of Alzheimer’s and
dementia care principles relevant to Certified Nurse Aides working in New York
residential health care settings. It emphasizes person-centered care,
communication, behavioral changes, safety, activities, activities of daily living,
nutrition, documentation, resident rights, ethics, and appropriate escalation of
concerns. New York’s nurse aide curriculum specifically includes care of cognitively
impaired residents, appropriate responses to behaviors, and methods of reducing
the effects of cognitive impairment; state rules also require CNA in-service
education to address the special needs of cognitively impaired residents.
Question 1
A resident with moderate Alzheimer’s disease repeatedly insists that she needs to
“go home” shortly after being assisted back to her room. She becomes increasingly
distressed when staff explain that she has lived at the facility for two years. Which
CNA response is most consistent with person-centered dementia care?
A. Repeatedly explain the facility’s admission date until she accepts the information
B. Tell her firmly that she is already home and should stop asking
C. Acknowledge the emotion, explore what “home” means to her, and redirect her
toward a comforting activity
D. Avoid responding because acknowledging the request may reinforce the
behavior
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Person-centered dementia care focuses on the resident’s emotional
experience rather than repeatedly correcting impaired recall. Exploring the
underlying need and providing reassurance and meaningful redirection can
reduce distress.
Question 2
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease who normally cooperates with bathing suddenly
becomes combative when the CNA attempts to remove her clothing. There is no
documented history of this behavior. What should the CNA do FIRST?
A. Complete the bath quickly before the resident becomes more resistant
B. Determine whether pain, fear, environmental factors, or another unmet need
could be contributing
C. Tell the resident that refusal of hygiene care violates facility policy
D. Ask another resident to persuade her to cooperate
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A sudden behavioral change should prompt assessment for possible
unmet physical or emotional needs. Pain, infection, fear, temperature, privacy
concerns, and unfamiliar surroundings can all contribute to behavioral symptoms.
Question 3
A CNA is caring for a resident who has advanced dementia and repeatedly attempts
to stand without assistance despite a high fall risk. Which intervention best reflects
a person-centered approach?
A. Apply physical restraints whenever the resident attempts to stand
B. Keep the resident in bed throughout the shift
C. Identify the reason for the movement and provide a safe, supervised alternative
D. Ignore the behavior unless the resident actually falls
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Repetitive movement may represent a need for toileting, activity,
comfort, mobility, or environmental stimulation. The safest approach is to identify
, the underlying need and provide an appropriate alternative rather than
automatically restricting movement.
Question 4
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease becomes agitated whenever several staff
members speak to her simultaneously during morning care. Which modification is
most appropriate?
A. Increase the volume and speed of instructions
B. Have several staff members continue talking so she receives more information
C. Reduce competing stimuli and have one caregiver provide simple, sequential
cues
D. Stop communicating and perform all care without explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cognitive impairment can reduce the ability to process multiple
stimuli. One caregiver, a calm environment, and simple step-by-step
communication can improve comprehension and reduce anxiety.
Question 5
A resident with dementia begins pacing rapidly in the hallway at approximately the
same time every afternoon. The CNA notices that the resident frequently looks
toward the bathroom but has difficulty expressing what she needs. What is the
most appropriate initial response?
A. Assume the pacing is purposeless and redirect her to the television
B. Offer toileting assistance while assessing for other possible unmet needs
C. Tell her to remain seated because pacing is unsafe
D. Document the pacing only after it has continued for more than one hour
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Behavioral changes can communicate unmet needs when verbal
communication is impaired. Toileting, hunger, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and
environmental discomfort should be considered.
Question 6
, A resident with Alzheimer’s disease becomes frightened when a CNA approaches
from behind and attempts to assist with dressing. Which technique would most
likely prevent escalation?
A. Approach quickly before the resident has time to resist
B. Approach from the front, establish eye contact, identify yourself, and explain the
next step
C. Have another staff member hold the resident while dressing is completed
D. Avoid speaking because verbal communication may increase confusion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Approaching from the front, using a calm tone, identifying oneself,
and explaining care can reduce startle responses and promote trust.
Question 7
A resident with dementia repeatedly enters other residents’ rooms. The CNA
determines that the resident appears to be searching for a spouse who died several
years ago. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Publicly correct the resident whenever the behavior occurs
B. Lock the resident in her room to prevent further wandering
C. Explore the resident’s emotional need and redirect her to a familiar, meaningful
activity
D. Tell other residents to refuse entry whenever she approaches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The behavior may be related to searching, attachment, or a need for
familiarity. Acknowledging the emotional need and providing meaningful
redirection is preferable to confrontation or unnecessary restriction.
Question 8
During a meal, a resident with advanced dementia suddenly begins coughing and
develops a wet, gurgling voice after swallowing. What should the CNA do?
A. Encourage the resident to take another drink of water
B. Continue feeding but offer smaller portions
GUIDE | TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | QUESTIONS | 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Table of Contents: Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Concepts — Person-Centered
Care — Communication & Behavioral Symptoms — Safety, Wandering &
Environmental Risks — Activities & Cognitive Support — ADLs & Personal Care —
Nutrition, Hydration & Swallowing — Infection Prevention — Documentation &
Reporting — Resident Rights, Ethics & Professional Boundaries — End-of-Life and
Family Support — New York CNA Regulatory Considerations
Introduction
This practice assessment focuses on advanced application of Alzheimer’s and
dementia care principles relevant to Certified Nurse Aides working in New York
residential health care settings. It emphasizes person-centered care,
communication, behavioral changes, safety, activities, activities of daily living,
nutrition, documentation, resident rights, ethics, and appropriate escalation of
concerns. New York’s nurse aide curriculum specifically includes care of cognitively
impaired residents, appropriate responses to behaviors, and methods of reducing
the effects of cognitive impairment; state rules also require CNA in-service
education to address the special needs of cognitively impaired residents.
Question 1
A resident with moderate Alzheimer’s disease repeatedly insists that she needs to
“go home” shortly after being assisted back to her room. She becomes increasingly
distressed when staff explain that she has lived at the facility for two years. Which
CNA response is most consistent with person-centered dementia care?
A. Repeatedly explain the facility’s admission date until she accepts the information
B. Tell her firmly that she is already home and should stop asking
C. Acknowledge the emotion, explore what “home” means to her, and redirect her
toward a comforting activity
D. Avoid responding because acknowledging the request may reinforce the
behavior
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Person-centered dementia care focuses on the resident’s emotional
experience rather than repeatedly correcting impaired recall. Exploring the
underlying need and providing reassurance and meaningful redirection can
reduce distress.
Question 2
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease who normally cooperates with bathing suddenly
becomes combative when the CNA attempts to remove her clothing. There is no
documented history of this behavior. What should the CNA do FIRST?
A. Complete the bath quickly before the resident becomes more resistant
B. Determine whether pain, fear, environmental factors, or another unmet need
could be contributing
C. Tell the resident that refusal of hygiene care violates facility policy
D. Ask another resident to persuade her to cooperate
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A sudden behavioral change should prompt assessment for possible
unmet physical or emotional needs. Pain, infection, fear, temperature, privacy
concerns, and unfamiliar surroundings can all contribute to behavioral symptoms.
Question 3
A CNA is caring for a resident who has advanced dementia and repeatedly attempts
to stand without assistance despite a high fall risk. Which intervention best reflects
a person-centered approach?
A. Apply physical restraints whenever the resident attempts to stand
B. Keep the resident in bed throughout the shift
C. Identify the reason for the movement and provide a safe, supervised alternative
D. Ignore the behavior unless the resident actually falls
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Repetitive movement may represent a need for toileting, activity,
comfort, mobility, or environmental stimulation. The safest approach is to identify
, the underlying need and provide an appropriate alternative rather than
automatically restricting movement.
Question 4
A resident with Alzheimer’s disease becomes agitated whenever several staff
members speak to her simultaneously during morning care. Which modification is
most appropriate?
A. Increase the volume and speed of instructions
B. Have several staff members continue talking so she receives more information
C. Reduce competing stimuli and have one caregiver provide simple, sequential
cues
D. Stop communicating and perform all care without explanation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cognitive impairment can reduce the ability to process multiple
stimuli. One caregiver, a calm environment, and simple step-by-step
communication can improve comprehension and reduce anxiety.
Question 5
A resident with dementia begins pacing rapidly in the hallway at approximately the
same time every afternoon. The CNA notices that the resident frequently looks
toward the bathroom but has difficulty expressing what she needs. What is the
most appropriate initial response?
A. Assume the pacing is purposeless and redirect her to the television
B. Offer toileting assistance while assessing for other possible unmet needs
C. Tell her to remain seated because pacing is unsafe
D. Document the pacing only after it has continued for more than one hour
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Behavioral changes can communicate unmet needs when verbal
communication is impaired. Toileting, hunger, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and
environmental discomfort should be considered.
Question 6
, A resident with Alzheimer’s disease becomes frightened when a CNA approaches
from behind and attempts to assist with dressing. Which technique would most
likely prevent escalation?
A. Approach quickly before the resident has time to resist
B. Approach from the front, establish eye contact, identify yourself, and explain the
next step
C. Have another staff member hold the resident while dressing is completed
D. Avoid speaking because verbal communication may increase confusion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Approaching from the front, using a calm tone, identifying oneself,
and explaining care can reduce startle responses and promote trust.
Question 7
A resident with dementia repeatedly enters other residents’ rooms. The CNA
determines that the resident appears to be searching for a spouse who died several
years ago. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Publicly correct the resident whenever the behavior occurs
B. Lock the resident in her room to prevent further wandering
C. Explore the resident’s emotional need and redirect her to a familiar, meaningful
activity
D. Tell other residents to refuse entry whenever she approaches
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The behavior may be related to searching, attachment, or a need for
familiarity. Acknowledging the emotional need and providing meaningful
redirection is preferable to confrontation or unnecessary restriction.
Question 8
During a meal, a resident with advanced dementia suddenly begins coughing and
develops a wet, gurgling voice after swallowing. What should the CNA do?
A. Encourage the resident to take another drink of water
B. Continue feeding but offer smaller portions
