CNA Roles and Responsibilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA is asked by a family member to explain the results of the patient's latest lab work. What should the CNA do?
- Interpret the results as best they can
- Politely explain that interpreting lab results is outside their scope and direct the family to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Refer the family to the internet
- Read the lab values aloud without interpretation
Correct answer: Politely explain that interpreting lab results is outside their scope and direct the family to the nurse
Interpreting diagnostic results is outside the CNA's scope of practice. The CNA should acknowledge the request and direct the family to the licensed nurse.
CNAs provide direct care support but are not licensed to assess, diagnose, or interpret clinical data. Explaining this limitation clearly and directing the family to the appropriate provider maintains professional boundaries, ensures accurate information reaches the family, and protects the CNA from practicing outside their scope.
Question 2: Which of the following is a PRIMARY responsibility of a CNA?
- Developing the nursing care plan
- Administering prescribed medications
- Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) (Correct answer)
- Diagnosing medical conditions
Correct answer: Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
Assisting patients with ADLs — bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, and hygiene — is the central daily role of the CNA.
CNAs spend the most direct time with patients and are responsible for ADL assistance, vital sign measurement, input/output monitoring, repositioning, and reporting observations to the supervising nurse. Care planning, medication administration, and diagnosis are responsibilities of licensed nurses and physicians.
Question 3: What is the appropriate action when a CNA observes a significant change in a patient's condition?
- Wait until the end of the shift to report
- Document it in the chart and report immediately to the charge nurse (Correct answer)
- Contact the patient's family first
- Administer comfort measures and monitor
Correct answer: Document it in the chart and report immediately to the charge nurse
Significant changes in patient condition require immediate reporting to the charge nurse and timely documentation.
CNAs are uniquely positioned to notice subtle changes in a patient's baseline because of their frequent direct contact. Any significant change — decreased responsiveness, new pain, change in skin color, difficulty breathing — must be reported to the nurse immediately and documented. Delayed reporting can result in patient harm.
Question 4: A CNA is asked to perform a task they have not been trained to do. What is the correct response?
- Attempt the task and ask for help if needed
- Refuse and report to the charge nurse that they are not trained for the task (Correct answer)
- Observe a colleague doing it once, then proceed
- Complete the task and document the outcome
Correct answer: Refuse and report to the charge nurse that they are not trained for the task
Performing tasks without proper training violates the standard of care and can endanger the patient. The CNA must refuse and notify the charge nurse.
CNAs are legally and ethically obligated to work within their training and certification. Performing untrained tasks exposes patients to harm and exposes the CNA to disciplinary action or liability. The appropriate response is to decline, explain to the supervisor, and ensure the task is performed by a qualified individual.
Question 5: How should a CNA respond when a patient refuses care?
- Insist on completing the care for the patient's own good
- Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Skip the care and say nothing to the nursing team
- Ask a family member to convince the patient
Correct answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the nurse
Patients have the right to refuse care. The CNA must respect this right, document the refusal, and inform the supervising nurse.
Forcing care on a competent patient who refuses constitutes assault and battery. The CNA should respectfully acknowledge the refusal, document the interaction in the medical record, and notify the charge nurse promptly so the clinical team can follow up, counsel the patient, or adjust the care plan.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the CNA's reporting relationship?
- CNAs report directly to the physician
- CNAs work independently and report to administration only
- CNAs work under the supervision of a licensed nurse and report observations to that nurse (Correct answer)
- CNAs supervise other CNAs and report to the therapy team
Correct answer: CNAs work under the supervision of a licensed nurse and report observations to that nurse
CNAs function under the delegation and supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN/LVN), who is responsible for overall patient care.
The nurse-CNA relationship is one of delegation and supervision. The licensed nurse assesses patients, creates care plans, delegates appropriate tasks to CNAs, and maintains clinical accountability. CNAs report all observations, changes, and patient concerns to the supervising nurse, who then makes clinical decisions.
CNA Roles and Responsibilities 2
A CNA is asked by a family member to explain the results of the patient's latest lab work.
What should the CNA do?