15 Active Daily Living Interview Questions and Answers

Active daily living refers to the ability to perform activities of daily living without assistance. These activities include bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, and ambulating.

For many people, these activities are taken for granted. But for those with physical or cognitive impairments, they can be a challenge. That’s why active daily living skills are so important.

If you’re interviewing for a job that involves working with people who have physical or cognitive impairments, you may be asked questions about your experience with active daily living. In this guide, we’ve compiled some of the most common active daily living interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

1. What are the six areas of activities in ADL’s?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you know the basics of ADL’s and how they apply to daily living. They want to make sure that you can perform these tasks independently, so it is important to be able to explain them clearly.

Example: “The six areas of activities in ADL’s are dressing, grooming, eating, bathing, toileting and transferring. These skills are essential for independent living because they allow me to care for myself without assistance from others. I have experience with all of these skills, as I learned them during my training at ABC Home Health Care.”

2. Are there any other names for activities of daily living?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you know the full acronym for ADLs. They want to make sure that you understand what activities of daily living are and how they relate to other similar terms. In your answer, explain what each term means and give examples of when you’ve used them in a sentence.

Example: “There are several other names for activities of daily living. Some include self-care skills, life skills or functional skills. I have experience with all three types of terminology because my previous employer had different ways of referring to these important tasks. For example, I once worked with an elderly woman who was having trouble eating on her own. She would often spill food while trying to feed herself, so we started using the term ‘feeding’ instead of ‘eating.’ This helped her feel more comfortable and confident about feeding herself.”

3. How do you decide whether a person is dependent or independent on their ADL’s?

This question can help an interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you interact with clients. Use examples from previous experiences to explain the steps you take when assessing a client’s needs.

Example: “I first assess what ADLs they need assistance with, then I determine their ability to perform those tasks independently or if they require assistance. If they’re able to complete the task without my help, I’ll provide them with instructions on how to do it themselves. If they need assistance, I’ll work with them to find ways to improve their independence.”

4. What is activity tolerance and what is it used for?

Activity tolerance is a skill that allows you to understand your own limitations and how to adjust them. It’s important for caregivers to be able to recognize when they need help, so this question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with activity tolerance. In your answer, explain what it is and give an example of when you used it in your previous role.

Example: “Activity tolerance is the ability to know when you’re getting tired or overwhelmed and then find ways to rest or slow down. I had a client who was very independent but would often get confused about where she was going. She also had trouble hearing, so we worked on strategies to help her remember things like where she needed to go and how to get there.”

5. Can you provide an example of how to apply an activity tolerance when assessing a patient’s functional status?

This question is an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the process of assessing a patient’s functional status. You can use examples from previous experiences when you applied activity tolerance in your assessments.

Example: “Activity tolerance refers to how much physical exertion a person can handle before they become fatigued. For example, I had a patient who was recovering from a stroke and needed assistance with daily living activities. When conducting my assessment, I noted that he could walk for about 10 minutes without needing rest. This information helped me determine what tasks he could perform on his own and which ones would require assistance.”

6. Why does pain impact on patients’ ability to perform ADL’s?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the effects of pain on patients and how you can help them manage it. You can use examples from your experience or research to explain why pain impacts ADLs, what types of pain are most common in patients and how you would treat each type.

Example: “Pain has a significant impact on patients’ ability to perform ADLs because it affects their mobility, dexterity and cognition. For example, if a patient experiences back pain, they may have trouble bending over to pick up objects or standing for long periods of time. If I notice that a patient is experiencing pain during an ADL, I will first assess the severity of the pain and then develop a treatment plan based on the patient’s needs.”

7. When should you consider using assistive devices when helping a patient with their ADL’s?

Assistive devices are tools that help people with disabilities complete daily tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific assistive devices you’ve used in your past work experience and how they helped patients complete their ADL’s.

Example: “Assistive devices are a great way to help patients who have limited mobility or strength. I once worked with a patient who had multiple sclerosis. She was able to use a walker to get around her home safely and even go grocery shopping by herself. Assistive devices like these allow patients to maintain their independence while still getting the support they need.”

8. Why would you use adaptive equipment instead of regular medical equipment?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the different types of equipment available and how they can be used. It also allows you to show that you understand when each type should be used. When answering this question, it’s important to explain why one piece of equipment would be better than another in specific situations.

Example: “I think adaptive equipment is best for people who are able to use their hands or arms but need assistance with other tasks. For example, I worked with a client who had limited mobility in her arms but was still able to move around on her own. She needed help getting dressed and using the bathroom, so we decided she would benefit from an adaptive dressing aid and a wheelchair instead of a walker.”

9. What’s the difference between passive range of motion, active range of motion, and active exercises?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the human body and how it moves. It also shows that you understand what each type of motion entails, which can be important for helping patients with their daily living skills. In your answer, try to define each term clearly and give an example of when you’ve used them in your work before.

Example: “Passive range of motion refers to moving a joint through its full range of motion without any effort from the patient. Active range of motion involves the patient actively moving a joint through its full range of motion while I assist them. Active exercises are physical movements performed by the patient under my supervision.”

10. Can you give me some examples of occupational therapy interventions for self-care deficits?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the interventions you can use in occupational therapy. They want to know that you have experience with these types of activities and understand how they help patients develop their skills. In your answer, try to provide specific examples of self-care deficits and what you did to help your patients overcome them.

Example: “In my previous role as an occupational therapist, I worked with a patient who had difficulty dressing themselves due to motor impairments. To help him improve his ability to dress himself, I used several different interventions. First, I taught him how to put on each piece of clothing using verbal cues. Then, I provided him with adaptive tools like long-sleeves shirts with Velcro closures so he could practice putting them on independently. Finally, I helped him practice putting on multiple pieces of clothing at once.”

11. What is the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) model?

The NIC model is a classification system that categorizes nursing interventions based on the patient’s condition. This question tests your knowledge of this important framework and how it can be applied to daily living skills. In your answer, define what the NIC model is and describe an example of when you used it in practice.

Example: “The NIC model is a way to classify nursing interventions based on the patient’s condition. For instance, if a patient has a wound that needs to heal, I would use the ‘wound healing’ intervention category. If they have a fever, I would use the ‘fever reduction’ category. The NIC model helps me determine which interventions are most appropriate for each situation.”

12. What is the NIC Model used for?

The National Institute of Health (NIH) developed the NIC Model to help healthcare professionals assess a patient’s level of independence in daily living skills. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you apply your knowledge of the NIC Model to your work as a caregiver. In your answer, explain what the model is and how it can be used to support patients’ independence.

Example: “The NIH created the NIC Model to help medical professionals understand their patients’ abilities when performing daily tasks. It uses five levels to describe a person’s ability to perform daily activities independently or with assistance. I use the NIC Model when assessing my clients’ needs for care services. For example, if a client has trouble bathing themselves but can dress themselves, I would assign them a Level II on the NIC Model.”

13. Can you explain what the nursing process is?

The nursing process is a series of steps that nurses use to assess and treat patients. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you understand the basics of nursing, including how it’s done. In your answer, try to explain what each step in the process is and why it’s important.

Example: “The nursing process is a set of steps that nurses follow when treating their patients. The first step is assessment, where I look at my patient’s medical history and current condition to determine the best course of treatment. Next, I develop a plan for treatment based on my assessment. Then, I implement my plan by performing any necessary procedures or treatments. Finally, I evaluate whether my plan was effective.”

14. What are the steps involved in the nursing process?

This question is a basic assessment of your knowledge and understanding of the nursing process. It’s important to be able to explain each step in detail, as well as how you would apply it to your work.

Example: “The nursing process involves five steps that I would follow when working with patients. The first step is assessment, where I evaluate the patient’s current condition and determine what their needs are. Next is planning, where I create an individualized plan for the patient based on my assessment. Then comes intervention, which is when I implement the plan by providing care to the patient. After this, I perform evaluation, which is when I assess whether or not the plan was effective.”

15. What are the different types of questions nurses can ask during the assessment step of the nursing process?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the nursing process and how you apply it in your daily work. When answering, consider listing all the different types of questions nurses can ask during an assessment and explain what each type means.

Example: “There are three main types of questions that nurses can ask during the assessment step of the nursing process. The first is open-ended questions, which allow patients to speak freely about their concerns or symptoms. These questions help me understand a patient’s situation better so I can provide them with more personalized care. Next, there are closed-ended questions, which require short answers from patients. These questions help me gather specific information quickly so I can move through my assessments efficiently. Finally, there are screening questions, which help me identify potential problems early on.”