Certified Nursing Assistant Examination (CNA) Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Mental Health Care Syllabus

Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Mental Health Care syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Mental Health Care in Certified Nursing Assistant Examination (CNA), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Emotional and Social Needs

   4 topics

   • Basic human needs
     • Maslow's hierarchy applied to care
     • Love, belonging, and self-esteem needs
   • Psychosocial support and self-worth
   • Sexuality and intimacy in care settings
   • Religion, spirituality, and cultural diversity
     • Respecting beliefs and practices
     • Avoiding stereotypes and bias
2. 2

   Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Care

   4 topics

   • Confusion, delirium, and dementia
     • Distinguishing delirium from dementia
     • Stages of Alzheimer's disease
   • Communication strategies for dementia
     • Simple instructions and reassurance
     • Reality orientation and validation
   • Managing difficult behaviors
     • Agitation, wandering, and sundowning
     • Catastrophic reactions and de-escalation
   • Structured routines and a safe environment
3. 3

   Mental Health and Coping

   4 topics

   • Stress, anxiety, and coping mechanisms
   • Depression in older adults
     • Recognizing signs
     • Suicide risk awareness and reporting
   • Defense mechanisms and behavior responses
   • Supporting mental and emotional well-being

Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Mental Health Care flashcards for Certified Nursing Assistant Examination (CNA)

20 of 50 cards from the Psychosocial, Cognitive, and Mental Health Care deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the five categories in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, from lowest (most basic) to highest?

   1) Physiological (food, water, oxygen, elimination), 2) Safety and security, 3) Love and belonging, 4) Self-esteem, 5) Self-actualization. Lower-level needs must generally be met before higher ones.

2. According to Maslow, which level of needs must be met first and gives examples relevant to CNA care?

   Physiological needs come first — oxygen, water, food, elimination, rest, and shelter. A resident cannot focus on higher needs until these basic survival needs are met.

3. What is the difference between a physical need and a psychosocial need?

   A physical need relates to the body's survival (food, water, oxygen, elimination). A psychosocial need relates to social, emotional, and mental well-being (love, belonging, self-esteem, security, dignity).

4. What does 'holistic care' mean in nursing assistant practice?

   Caring for the whole person — physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs together — rather than treating only the physical condition or disease.

5. How can a CNA promote a resident's sense of self-worth and dignity?

   Address residents by their preferred name, allow choices and independence, encourage self-care, provide privacy, listen actively, respect their belongings, and never talk down to or about them as if absent.

6. What is self-esteem, and why is it important to a resident's well-being?

   Self-esteem is the value or worth a person places on themselves. High self-esteem supports recovery, cooperation, and emotional health; low self-esteem can lead to depression, withdrawal, and decreased motivation.

7. How can a CNA support residents in maintaining independence?

   Encourage residents to do as much as they safely can for themselves, allow extra time, offer assistive devices, give choices, and praise efforts — promoting dignity and self-worth rather than doing everything for them.

8. Is sexuality a need that ends in old age or with disability?

   No. Sexuality and the need for intimacy continue throughout life regardless of age, illness, or disability. Residents have the right to express their sexuality.

9. How should a CNA respond if they walk in on a resident masturbating or engaging in consensual sexual activity?

   Provide privacy by quietly leaving, knocking before re-entering, and ensuring a 'Do Not Disturb' is respected. Do not judge, scold, or report it as a problem — it is a normal, private activity.

10. What should a CNA do to protect a resident's privacy for sexual or intimate needs?

    Knock before entering, close doors and curtains, respect 'Do Not Disturb' signs, and ensure the resident has private time. Sexual expression between consenting adults is a protected right.

11. What must always be present for sexual activity between residents to be acceptable in a care setting?

    Mutual consent and the capacity to consent. If a resident cannot consent (e.g., due to advanced dementia), the activity is not acceptable and must be reported.

12. How should a CNA respond to a resident's religious or spiritual practices that differ from their own?

    Respect and support them without judgment. Allow time and privacy for prayer or rituals, accommodate dietary or clothing needs, and notify the nurse for clergy visits if requested.

13. What is cultural diversity, and why must a CNA be sensitive to it?

    Cultural diversity is the variety of beliefs, values, customs, and practices among people from different backgrounds. Sensitivity ensures respectful, individualized care and avoids offending or alienating residents.

14. Give examples of how culture or religion can affect a resident's care preferences.

    Dietary restrictions (e.g., no pork, kosher, vegetarian), food handling, clothing/modesty, preference for same-gender caregivers, prayer schedules, eye contact and personal space norms, and end-of-life rituals.

15. If a resident does not share the CNA's religious beliefs, how should the CNA act?

    The CNA must never impose personal beliefs. Provide respectful care, support the resident's own beliefs, and avoid preaching or discussing religion unless the resident initiates it.

16. Define confusion as a state in a resident.

    Confusion is the inability to think clearly, disorientation to person/place/time, trouble focusing, and difficulty making decisions. It may be temporary or ongoing and can have many causes.

17. What is delirium and what are its key characteristics?

    Delirium is a sudden, acute state of severe confusion that develops quickly (hours to days). It is usually temporary and reversible, often caused by infection, medication, dehydration, or illness. It fluctuates during the day.

18. What is dementia?

    Dementia is a chronic, progressive, and generally irreversible decline in cognitive function (memory, thinking, judgment, reasoning) severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by brain damage/disease, not a normal part of aging.

19. Compare delirium and dementia in terms of onset and reversibility.

    Delirium: sudden onset, usually reversible/temporary, fluctuates. Dementia: gradual onset, progressive, generally irreversible, and steadily worsens over time.

20. What is the most common cause/type of dementia?

    Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for the majority of cases.

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