Page 1 of 151
NCCAP National Exam Study Guide With
Correct Solutions
1. A resident with moderate dementia repeatedly says, “I
need to go home.” What is the BEST person-centered
response?
A) “You are home now.”
B) “Tell me about your home.”
C) “Your family will visit Sunday.”
D) Ignore the comment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered care validates feelings. Asking
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about their home shows respect for their reality and reduces
distress.
2. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for identifying
retained abilities in a person with late-stage Alzheimer’s?
A) MMSE
B) MoCA
C) Functional Assessment Staging (FAST)
D) PainAD
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAST stages Alzheimer’s and helps identify
preserved functional abilities for activity planning.
3. During an initial assessment, a resident refuses to answer
questions. The activity professional should FIRST:
A) Document refusal as non-compliant.
B) Attempt again later in a different setting.
C) Ask the family to force participation.
D) Note “unable to assess” and move on.
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered approach respects autonomy and
recognizes that mood, time of day, or environment affects
engagement.
4. A resident’s life history form indicates she was a
professional pianist. She now has advanced dementia.
What is the BEST approach?
A) Play piano music for her during meals.
B) Place her hands on silent piano keys.
C) Ask her to teach a music class.
D) Ignore the history as no longer relevant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle memory may remain. Tactile engagement
with familiar objects is person-centered.
5. Which of the following is a key principle of person-
centered care?
A) Scheduled activities at the same time for all.
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B) Focus on deficits first.
C) Resident choice and control.
D) Group activities only.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Person-centered care emphasizes autonomy,
preferences, and meaningful choice.
6. A resident with aphasia points to a picture of a fishing
boat. The activity professional should:
A) Say “You want to go fishing?”
B) Correct the pointing as unclear.
C) Ignore and move to next task.
D) Give them a pen to write it.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Validate non-verbal communication. Guessing intent
shows respect.
7. When completing an initial assessment, the MOST
important source of information is:
NCCAP National Exam Study Guide With
Correct Solutions
1. A resident with moderate dementia repeatedly says, “I
need to go home.” What is the BEST person-centered
response?
A) “You are home now.”
B) “Tell me about your home.”
C) “Your family will visit Sunday.”
D) Ignore the comment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered care validates feelings. Asking
,Page 2 of 151
about their home shows respect for their reality and reduces
distress.
2. Which assessment tool is most appropriate for identifying
retained abilities in a person with late-stage Alzheimer’s?
A) MMSE
B) MoCA
C) Functional Assessment Staging (FAST)
D) PainAD
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FAST stages Alzheimer’s and helps identify
preserved functional abilities for activity planning.
3. During an initial assessment, a resident refuses to answer
questions. The activity professional should FIRST:
A) Document refusal as non-compliant.
B) Attempt again later in a different setting.
C) Ask the family to force participation.
D) Note “unable to assess” and move on.
,Page 3 of 151
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Person-centered approach respects autonomy and
recognizes that mood, time of day, or environment affects
engagement.
4. A resident’s life history form indicates she was a
professional pianist. She now has advanced dementia.
What is the BEST approach?
A) Play piano music for her during meals.
B) Place her hands on silent piano keys.
C) Ask her to teach a music class.
D) Ignore the history as no longer relevant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle memory may remain. Tactile engagement
with familiar objects is person-centered.
5. Which of the following is a key principle of person-
centered care?
A) Scheduled activities at the same time for all.
, Page 4 of 151
B) Focus on deficits first.
C) Resident choice and control.
D) Group activities only.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Person-centered care emphasizes autonomy,
preferences, and meaningful choice.
6. A resident with aphasia points to a picture of a fishing
boat. The activity professional should:
A) Say “You want to go fishing?”
B) Correct the pointing as unclear.
C) Ignore and move to next task.
D) Give them a pen to write it.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Validate non-verbal communication. Guessing intent
shows respect.
7. When completing an initial assessment, the MOST
important source of information is:
