Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

What should a caregiver do when a resident with dementia becomes aggressive?

1. Leave the resident alone

2. Call for assistance and ensure safety

3. Try to argue with the resident

4. Ignore the behavior

The correct answer is: Call for assistance and ensure safety

When a resident with dementia becomes aggressive, ensuring the safety of both the resident and the caregiver is paramount. Calling for assistance allows for additional support, which is essential in handling potentially volatile situations. It is important to create a stable environment and mitigate any risks of harm that could arise from aggressive behavior. Having someone else present can help to de-escalate the situation and provide additional resources for care. This approach not only protects everyone involved but also demonstrates a commitment to providing proper and safe care for the resident. Options that suggest leaving the resident alone or ignoring the behavior do not address the immediate need for safety and can lead to further escalation of aggressive behavior. Engaging in an argument can provoke more aggression and is counterproductive to calming the situation. Therefore, the most appropriate and effective response is to call for assistance while ensuring the safety of all parties involved.