Often associated with obesity and sedentary

CNA Basic Nursing Skills 14 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A Foley catheter is used

to suction stomach contents
to drain the bladder (Correct answer)
for gastric feeding
as a rectal tube

Correct answer: to drain the bladder

A Foley catheter is a type of indwelling urinary catheter designed to be inserted into the bladder through the urethra. Its primary purpose is to continuously drain urine from the bladder into an external collection bag. It has a small balloon at the tip that is inflated once inside the bladder to keep it in place.

Question 2: The nurse aide notices on the flow sheet that a resident has not had a bowel movement for five days. The nurse aide should

ask the resident’s roommate if she saw the resident use the bathroom
report this to the charge nurse (Correct answer)
wait to see if she uses the bathroom tomorrow
ask the other nurse aides if the resident had a bowel movement that wasn’t recorded

Correct answer: report this to the charge nurse

A lack of bowel movement for five days is a significant change in a resident's normal elimination pattern and could indicate constipation or a more serious issue. It is crucial for the nurse aide to report this observation promptly to the charge nurse, who can then assess the resident, implement interventions, or consult with a physician to prevent complications.

Question 3: The nurse aide is assigned to a stroke patient with a diagnosis of aphasia. The nurse aide knows

the resident can not swallow
the resident can not walk
the resident can not talk (Correct answer)
none of these

Correct answer: the resident can not talk

Aphasia is a communication disorder that results from damage to the parts of the brain that control language. While stroke patients may also experience difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or walking (hemiplegia), aphasia specifically refers to the impairment of language, which includes difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading, or writing. Therefore, a resident with aphasia will have difficulty talking.

Question 4: Type 2 diabetes is

Common
Controllable
Often associated with obesity and sedentary
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

Type 2 diabetes is indeed very common, accounting for the vast majority of diabetes cases. It is also largely controllable through lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise, and sometimes medication. Furthermore, it is strongly associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, all the statements accurately describe Type 2 diabetes.

Question 5: There are two kinds of restraints

physical and chemical (Correct answer)
masks and goggles
belts and wristbands
chemical and medication

Correct answer: physical and chemical

Restraints are categorized into two main types: physical and chemical. Physical restraints involve any manual method or physical device, material, or equipment that restricts a person's freedom of movement. Chemical restraints involve using medication to control a person's behavior or restrict their movement, which is not part of their standard medical treatment.

Question 6: Elderly residents sometimes appear stooped over and like they have lost height. This is due to

the deterioration of muscle tissue
decreased cardiac output
the resident’s increased difficulty in breathing
osteoporosis in the spinal column (Correct answer)

Correct answer: osteoporosis in the spinal column

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle, particularly in the spinal column. This can lead to compression fractures of the vertebrae, resulting in a loss of height and a stooped posture (kyphosis) commonly observed in elderly residents. The deterioration of bone structure directly causes these physical changes.

Question 7: Hospice specializes in the care of persons who are

terminally ill (Correct answer)
on Medicare
chronically ill
on Medicaid

Correct answer: terminally ill

Hospice care is specifically designed for individuals who are terminally ill, meaning they have a life expectancy of six months or less. The primary goal of hospice is to provide comfort, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, focusing on quality of life rather than curative treatment during the end-of-life phase.

Question 8: What is the purpose of using the chain-of-command in a long-term care facility

to prevent residents from going behind the nurses' station
to be sure residents follow the rules
to keep communication about a problem flowing smoothly (Correct answer)
To provide more jobs in nursing

Correct answer: to keep communication about a problem flowing smoothly

The chain-of-command in a long-term care facility establishes a clear line of authority and communication. This structure ensures that problems and concerns are reported to the appropriate personnel in an organized manner, promoting efficient resolution and smooth information flow. It helps maintain accountability and ensures that resident care is managed effectively.

Question 9: What can the nurse aide give the resident who has an order for NPO?

no food or liquids (Correct answer)
small amounts of ice
only clear liquids
unlimited fluids

Correct answer: no food or liquids

NPO is a medical abbreviation derived from the Latin phrase 'nil per os,' which means 'nothing by mouth.' This order strictly prohibits the resident from consuming any food, liquids, or even ice chips. It is typically prescribed before surgeries, certain medical procedures, or in specific conditions to prevent complications.

Question 10: When taking a blood pressure, you should do all of the following EXCEPT

locate the brachial artery.
turn off the television and radio.
apply the cuff to a bare upper arm.
take the blood pressure in the arm with an IV. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: take the blood pressure in the arm with an IV.

When taking a blood pressure, it is crucial to avoid the arm with an IV. Applying pressure from the blood pressure cuff can obstruct the IV flow, potentially damage the vein, or cause discomfort and injury to the resident. Always select an arm that is free from IVs, injuries, or medical devices to ensure an accurate reading and prevent harm.

Question 11: Three liquid ounces equals how many milliliters?

120
60
30
90 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 90

To convert liquid ounces to milliliters, the standard conversion factor is that 1 fluid ounce is approximately equal to 30 milliliters. Therefore, 3 liquid ounces multiplied by 30 milliliters per ounce equals 90 milliliters. This conversion is a fundamental skill for accurate medication and fluid measurement in healthcare.

Question 12: You observe that a patient is bleeding from an IV site. You should

notify the RN immediately. (Correct answer)
remove the IV catheter or needle.
apply a dressing to the site.
Ignore, since it's not within your scope of practice.

Correct answer: notify the RN immediately.

As a Nurse Aide, managing IVs, including addressing complications like bleeding, falls outside your scope of practice. If you observe bleeding from an IV site, it indicates a potential issue that requires immediate assessment and intervention by a licensed nurse (RN). Your responsibility is to promptly report any changes in the resident's condition or equipment problems.

Question 13: When documenting in a patient's record, which statement is FALSE?

To save time, chart a procedure before doing it. (Correct answer)
Do not skip lines between entries in the chart.
Use the patient's exact words when possible.
Record only what you observed and did yourself.

Correct answer: To save time, chart a procedure before doing it.

Charting a procedure before it has actually been performed is a serious violation of documentation ethics and can lead to inaccurate and potentially dangerous medical records. All entries in a patient's record must be factual, timely, and reflect care that has already been provided. This ensures the medical record serves as an accurate legal document of the resident's care.

Question 14: What is rigor mortis?

Spasm of the muscles caused by lack of potassium
High amounts of calcium in the diet causes bones to become rigid
Stiffening and locking of the joints after death. (Correct answer)
The patient is having problems moving his or her limbs due to rigidity

Correct answer: Stiffening and locking of the joints after death.

Rigor mortis is a post-mortem change characterized by the stiffening and locking of muscles and joints throughout the body. It occurs due to chemical changes in muscle tissue after death, specifically the depletion of ATP, which prevents muscle fibers from relaxing. This process typically begins a few hours after death and can last for several days.

Question 15: The last sensation that is lost when dying is

Sight
Taste
Smell
Hearing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hearing

As a person approaches death, their senses often diminish in a specific order, with hearing generally being the last sensation to be lost. This means that even if a dying person appears unresponsive, they may still be able to hear. Therefore, it is important to continue speaking to and comforting them, as they may still perceive sounds.

Question 16: Mrs. Andrews has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which is INCORRECT?

Attach the drainage bag to the bed rail. (Correct answer)
Provide perineal care daily and after bowel movements.
Keep the drainage bag below the bladder.
She should not lie on the catheter tubing.

Correct answer: Attach the drainage bag to the bed rail.

Attaching a urinary drainage bag to the bed rail is incorrect because it can allow the bag to be raised above the level of the bladder. This can cause urine to flow back into the bladder, significantly increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. The drainage bag must always be kept below bladder level to ensure proper gravity drainage and prevent reflux.

CNA Basic Nursing Skills 14

A Foley catheter is used