CNA Basic Nursing Skills 6 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A restraint should always be tied to the

Bed frame (Correct answer)
Mattress
Bedside table
Side rail

Correct answer: Bed frame

A restraint should always be tied to the movable part of the bed frame, not the side rail. Tying it to the bed frame ensures that the restraint moves with the patient when the head of the bed is raised or lowered, preventing injury from excessive tension or pulling. Tying to a side rail could cause injury if the rail is lowered while the restraint is attached.

Question 2: Some common causes of constipation include all of the following EXCEPT

Being active (Correct answer)
Medication
Getting older
Decreased fluid intake

Correct answer: Being active

Being active is generally beneficial for bowel regularity and helps prevent constipation, as physical activity stimulates intestinal movement. Conversely, common causes of constipation include decreased fluid intake, certain medications, and the natural slowing of the digestive system that can occur with aging. Therefore, being active is an exception to the causes of constipation.

Question 3: Your client has been placed on I & O. This means that you should

Keep the patient NPO.
Record all the fluid intake and output. (Correct answer)
Measure the first voiding each morning.
Keep track of the solid foods the client eats.

Correct answer: Record all the fluid intake and output.

"I & O" stands for Intake and Output, which means carefully measuring and recording all fluids a patient consumes (intake) and all fluids they eliminate (output). This includes oral fluids, IV fluids, urine, vomit, and drainage from wounds. Monitoring I&O is crucial for assessing fluid balance, kidney function, and detecting potential dehydration or fluid overload.

Question 4: When muscles atrophy, they become

Larger
Hardened
Stretched
Smaller (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Smaller

When muscles atrophy, they become smaller and weaker due to disuse, disease, or aging. This reduction in muscle mass can lead to decreased strength and impaired mobility. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are important for preventing or slowing muscle atrophy.

Question 5: The medical abbreviation for “before meals” is

bm
ac (Correct answer)
pc
npo

Correct answer: ac

The medical abbreviation "ac" stands for "ante cibum," which is Latin for "before meals." This abbreviation is commonly used in medication orders to indicate that a drug should be administered prior to eating. Other common abbreviations include "pc" for after meals and "npo" for nothing by mouth.

Question 6: One of the differences between an RN and a CNA is that only the RN can ________.

write in the patient record
report abnormalities
give medication (Correct answer)
provide patient care

Correct answer: give medication

One of the key differences in scope of practice between a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is that only an RN (or other licensed personnel like an LPN/LVN under RN supervision) is authorized to administer medications. CNAs provide direct patient care, assist with activities of daily living, and report observations, but medication administration falls outside their scope.

Question 7: When preparing a new patient's room, the CNA should collect

A stethoscope and sphygmomanometer
A patient pack and gown
An admission checklist and scale
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

When preparing a new patient's room, a CNA should ensure that essential items for assessment, personal care, and comfort are available. This includes a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer for vital signs, a patient pack with personal hygiene items and a gown, and an admission checklist and scale for initial assessments. Having all these items ready facilitates a smooth and efficient admission process.

Question 8: What body system provides framework for the body and allows the body to move?

Integumentary
Endocrine
Musculoskeletal (Correct answer)
Nervous

Correct answer: Musculoskeletal

The musculoskeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, provides the body's framework, supports its structure, and enables movement. Bones provide support and protection, while muscles contract to move the bones, allowing for a wide range of motion. This system is vital for posture, locomotion, and protecting internal organs.

Question 9: A warning sign of cancer is

An obvious change in a wart or mole
A change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

All the listed options—an obvious change in a wart or mole, a change in bowel or bladder habits, and a sore that does not heal—are important warning signs of cancer. Recognizing these signs early and reporting them to a healthcare professional is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. CNAs play a vital role in observing and reporting such changes in patients.

Question 10: The CNA can do all of these to assist a patient for discharge EXCEPT

Help the person change into street clothes
Explain the discharge orders to the patient (Correct answer)
Help pack the belongings
Transport the person out of the facility

Correct answer: Explain the discharge orders to the patient

CNAs assist with activities of daily living and physical tasks, such as helping a patient change clothes, pack belongings, or transport them. However, explaining discharge orders, which involve medical instructions, medication schedules, and follow-up care, falls under the scope of practice for a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) or physician. This requires medical knowledge and the authority to provide medical teaching, which CNAs do not possess.

Question 11: If a nurse aide needs to wear a gown to care for a patient in isolation, the nurse aide should

leave the gown untied to take it off quickly.
wear the same gown to care for the next patient.
remove the gown in the dirty utility room.
take the gown off before leaving the patient’s room. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: take the gown off before leaving the patient’s room.

Gowns are worn in isolation to prevent the spread of pathogens from the patient's room to other areas. Removing the gown *before* leaving the room ensures that any contaminants on the gown are contained within the isolation environment. This is a critical step in infection control protocols, protecting other patients, staff, and visitors from potential exposure.

Question 12: A resident has a slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute. The nurse tells you she is having

Tachycardia
Bradycardia (Correct answer)
Bradypnea
Tachypnea

Correct answer: Bradycardia

Bradycardia is the medical term used to describe a heart rate that is abnormally slow, specifically less than 60 beats per minute in adults. The prefix 'brady-' means slow, and '-cardia' refers to the heart. Conversely, tachycardia refers to a fast heart rate, while bradypnea and tachypnea refer to slow and fast breathing, respectively.

Question 13: Which of the following foods is allowed in a clear liquid diet?

Jello (Correct answer)
Tomato juice
Milkshake
Pudding

Correct answer: Jello

A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are transparent and liquid at room temperature, providing hydration and some electrolytes while leaving minimal residue in the digestive tract. Jello is allowed because it is clear and melts into a liquid form. Tomato juice, milkshakes, and pudding are opaque and contain solids, making them unsuitable for a clear liquid diet.

Question 14: The medical abbreviation for “three times a day” is

qd
qid
bid
tid (Correct answer)

Correct answer: tid

The medical abbreviation 'tid' stands for 'ter in die,' which is Latin for 'three times a day.' This abbreviation is commonly used in healthcare to indicate the frequency of medication administration or treatments. Understanding these abbreviations is crucial for accurate communication and patient safety in a healthcare setting.

Question 15: As death nears, the last sense to leave the body is

Sight
Hearing (Correct answer)
Taste
Smell

Correct answer: Hearing

Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that hearing is often the last sense to remain active as a person approaches death. Even when a person appears unresponsive, they may still be able to hear and process sounds. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to continue speaking to the dying person and to be mindful of what is said in their presence.

Question 16: The safety device used to transfer a weak or dependent patient from a bed to a chair is called a

Transfer/gait belt (Correct answer)
Slide board
Posey vest
Hand roll

Correct answer: Transfer/gait belt

A transfer or gait belt is a safety device specifically designed to be placed around a patient's waist to provide a secure grip for the caregiver during transfers or ambulation. It allows the CNA to assist the patient safely and maintain control, reducing the risk of falls for both the patient and the caregiver. Other devices like slide boards are for lateral transfers, and Posey vests are restraints.

CNA Basic Nursing Skills 6

A restraint should always be tied to the