Florida Assisted Living Facilities Practice Exam

If a resident with dementia reports feeling kidnapped, what should be the primary course of action?

1. Contact the family to move her out

2. Remove the telephone from her room

3. Provide additional support and a problem-solving approach

4. Ignore the claims as a common behavioral issue

The correct answer is: Provide additional support and a problem-solving approach

When a resident with dementia expresses feelings of being kidnapped, it is crucial to prioritize their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Providing additional support and adopting a problem-solving approach addresses the resident's immediate emotional distress while validating their feelings. Engaging with them calmly can help alleviate their anxiety and confusion, allowing for constructive dialogue about their feelings and fears. Supporting the resident can include reassuring them, asking open-ended questions to understand their concerns better, and attempting to redirect their focus to more positive or comforting topics. This approach fosters a safe environment where the resident feels heard and cared for, which can help reduce the intensity of their distress. Other responses may not address the underlying issue effectively. For instance, contacting family members to move the resident out could lead to feelings of abandonment and heightened anxiety, possibly worsening the situation. Removing the telephone may prevent the resident from making calls but does not resolve their feelings of fear and distress. Ignoring their claims could further isolate them and confirm their fears, which could escalate the emotional situation. Therefore, the most compassionate and appropriate response is to provide additional support and a problem-solving approach.