CNA End-of-Life Care and Postmortem Care

Question 1

Which of the following is a common physical sign that death may be approaching within hours?

Accepted Answer

Mottling (bluish-purple blotching) of the skin, especially the knees and feet

Answer

Increased appetite and thirst

Answer

Elevated blood pressure and rapid pulse

Answer

Increased muscle strength and activity

Question 2

A resident has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in their chart. The resident stops breathing. The nurse aide should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the charge nurse immediately and stay with the resident

Answer

Immediately begin CPR while another aide calls the nurse

Answer

Call 911 before notifying facility staff

Answer

Wait to see if the resident resumes breathing on their own before calling anyone

Question 3

When providing postmortem care, the nurse aide should:

Accepted Answer

Follow facility policy and the charge nurse's instructions, treating the body with dignity and respect

Answer

Begin care immediately after death is pronounced, before the family arrives, without waiting for direction

Answer

Remove all personal items and store them without documenting their location

Answer

Avoid touching or moving the body until the funeral home arrives

Question 4

A resident receiving hospice care is in pain and asks the nurse aide to 'make the pain stop.' The most appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Notify the nurse immediately so pain management interventions can be implemented

Answer

Administer an extra dose of the resident's pain medication

Answer

Tell the resident that nothing more can be done

Answer

Reposition the resident and hope the pain subsides on its own

Question 5

A resident's family member becomes very upset and tearful at the bedside of a dying resident. The nurse aide should:

Accepted Answer

Offer a quiet, caring presence, provide tissues, and ask if there is anything they need

Answer

Ask the family member to leave the room until they can compose themselves

Answer

Tell the family member that their loved one is not in pain and will be fine

Answer

Leave the room to give the family complete privacy and do not return

Question 6

After a resident's death is pronounced, the nurse aide notices the resident's family has placed religious items around the body. The aide should:

Accepted Answer

Respect the items and inform the charge nurse so care can be coordinated with the family's wishes

Answer

Remove the items according to standard postmortem protocol

Answer

Document the items as biohazardous materials

Answer

Tell the family that personal items cannot remain in the room