CNA Safety and Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sudden sign can indicate a stroke?

Dizziness
Hallucinations
Seizures
Slurred speech (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Slurred speech

Slurred speech, or dysarthria, is a common and sudden symptom of a stroke, indicating neurological impairment. Strokes occur when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, and this can affect the brain regions controlling speech. Recognizing this and other sudden changes (like facial drooping or arm weakness) is crucial for prompt medical intervention.

Question 2: A patient’s call light should always be _______.

pinned to the clothing
within reach (Correct answer)
clipped to the bed
on the wall

Correct answer: within reach

Ensuring a patient's call light is always within reach is a fundamental safety measure. It allows patients to easily summon assistance for needs like pain, toileting, or emergencies, preventing falls and ensuring timely care. Failing to do so can lead to patients attempting to get out of bed unassisted, increasing their risk of injury.

Question 3: Factors that increase a resident's risk of falling include

Medication use
Muscle weakness
Sensory problems
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

Multiple factors contribute to an increased risk of falls in residents. Medication use can cause dizziness or drowsiness, muscle weakness impairs balance and mobility, and sensory problems like poor vision or hearing can make navigating surroundings difficult. Addressing all these factors through comprehensive care plans is essential for fall prevention.

Question 4: Vomiting can be dangerous because of the possibility of

Infarct
Hypertension
Aspiration (Correct answer)
Stroke

Correct answer: Aspiration

Aspiration is the inhalation of vomit or stomach contents into the lungs, which can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, airway obstruction, or even death. This risk is particularly high in individuals with impaired consciousness, difficulty swallowing, or lying flat. CNAs must monitor patients for vomiting and ensure proper positioning to prevent aspiration.

Question 5: The most common cause of accidents in the home results from

Falls (Correct answer)
Abrasions
Lacerations
Burns

Correct answer: Falls

Falls are overwhelmingly the leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths in the home, especially among older adults. Factors like slippery surfaces, poor lighting, clutter, and impaired mobility contribute to this risk. Implementing fall prevention strategies is crucial for home safety.

Question 6: When a patient who has been dizzy is showering, you should

take care of the patient's roommate while the patient showers.
start another patient's shower, to save time.
get the patient started, then leave to respect privacy.
sit the patient in a shower chair, and remain nearby. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: sit the patient in a shower chair, and remain nearby.

For a patient with a history of dizziness, safety during showering is paramount to prevent falls. Using a shower chair provides stability and reduces the risk of losing balance, while remaining nearby allows the CNA to offer immediate assistance if dizziness recurs or the patient needs help. This approach prioritizes patient safety and supervision.

Question 7: Safety measures to prevent accidental poisoning from medications include

Never leave medicine out where it can be swallowed. (Correct answer)
Transfer medications to other containers.
Call medication "candy" so patients will be more likely to take it.
Give medication in the dark to avoid waking the patient.

Correct answer: Never leave medicine out where it can be swallowed.

To prevent accidental poisoning, especially in homes with children or cognitively impaired adults, medications must always be stored securely and out of reach. Leaving medicine out increases the risk of it being mistaken for candy or taken inadvertently. Proper storage is a critical safety measure.

Question 8: If a diabetic resident develops symptoms of increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, weakness, and a fruity-smelling breath, what should the CNA do?

Wait for 15 minutes the re-check the resident
Offer the resident orange juice
Report it immediately to the nurse (Correct answer)
Report the incident at the end of the shift

Correct answer: Report it immediately to the nurse

These symptoms (increased thirst/urination, blurred vision, weakness, fruity breath) are classic signs of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, potentially leading to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency. A CNA's role is to recognize these critical changes and report them immediately to the nurse for prompt medical assessment and intervention. Offering orange juice would be inappropriate as it would further raise blood sugar.

Question 9: When evacuating patients during a fire, you should never use the

windows
hallways
stairwell
elevator (Correct answer)

Correct answer: elevator

Elevators should never be used during a fire evacuation because they can become disabled due to power failure or smoke, trapping occupants. Fire safety protocols universally direct people to use stairwells for evacuation, as they are designed as protected escape routes. Using an elevator during a fire can put lives at extreme risk.

Question 10: A resident who is resting in bed suddenly complains of shortness of breath. What should you do?

Raise the resident’s feet
Tell the resident to take deep breaths
Elevate the head of the bed (Correct answer)
None of the above

Correct answer: Elevate the head of the bed

Elevating the head of the bed helps residents experiencing shortness of breath by allowing gravity to pull the diaphragm down, which expands the lungs and makes breathing easier. This position can significantly improve comfort and oxygen intake while waiting for further medical assessment. It's a quick, non-invasive intervention within a CNA's scope of practice.

Question 11: While assisting a resident with walking, the resident becomes faint and begins to fall. The nurse aide should

Carry the resident back to bed and then go for help
ease the resident to the floor and call for help (Correct answer)
hold the resident up and call for help
hold the resident up and continue walking

Correct answer: ease the resident to the floor and call for help

If a resident begins to fall, the safest action is to ease them gently to the floor to minimize the impact and prevent serious injury to both the resident and the CNA. Attempting to hold them up can result in injury to both individuals. Once safely on the floor, the CNA should call for help to assess the resident and assist them back up.

Question 12: A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order is part of an advanced health directive for an elderly resident. When you walk in, you discover that they are not breathing. How do you act?

Call the family to see if they agree with the DNR
Call for help and begin CPR
Start the resident on oxygen at 2L/minute
Close the door and notify the nurse (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Close the door and notify the nurse

A DNR order legally directs healthcare providers not to perform CPR or other resuscitative measures. If a resident with a DNR order is found not breathing, the CNA's responsibility is to respect that order. This means not initiating CPR, but rather ensuring privacy and immediately notifying the nurse, who will then follow the facility's protocol for confirming death and notifying appropriate parties.

Question 13: What should the CNA do if a diabetic resident starts to exhibit symptoms including increased thirst and urination, hazy vision, weakness, and a fruity breath?

Wait for 15 minutes the re-check the resident
Report the incident at the end of the shift
Offer the resident orange juice
Report it immediately to the nurse (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Report it immediately to the nurse

These symptoms (increased thirst/urination, hazy vision, weakness, fruity breath) are classic indicators of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, which can lead to serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A CNA's crucial role is to recognize these urgent signs and report them immediately to the nurse for prompt medical assessment and intervention.

Question 14: What follows the CNA's calling of the Code Blue?

Leave as soon as the Code Blue team arrives.
Assume responsibility for the Code Blue.
Be available for any necessary tasks. (Correct answer)
Participate as a full team member.

Correct answer: Be available for any necessary tasks.

After initiating a Code Blue, the CNA's role shifts to supporting the advanced medical team that responds. They should remain present and be ready to assist with tasks such as gathering supplies, positioning the patient, or providing patient information as directed by the lead healthcare professionals. This ensures efficient team collaboration without exceeding their scope of practice.

Question 15: In order to inform you that she had vivid red blood in her bowel movement, a resident turns on her call light. What ought you to do?

Tell the resident not to flush her next bowel movement.
Notify the nurse immediately.
Ask the resident if she ate beets recently.
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

Seeing vivid red blood in a bowel movement is a serious medical concern that requires immediate attention. Notifying the nurse is paramount for medical assessment. Asking the resident not to flush the next bowel movement preserves evidence for the nurse to observe, and inquiring about recent beet consumption helps differentiate between actual bleeding and a harmless dietary effect, all contributing to accurate reporting and care.

Question 16: Your home health patient's home is quite messy, and she is unwilling to discard anything. To ________ should be your primary safety objective.

maintain a clear pathway through the home. (Correct answer)
throw away anything you feel is not needed.
encourage the client to enter a nursing home.
organize the items and keep a file of their location.

Correct answer: maintain a clear pathway through the home.

In a cluttered home, the most immediate and significant safety risk is falls due to obstructed pathways. While organizing or discarding items might be a long-term goal, a CNA's primary and achievable safety objective is to ensure clear routes for walking, especially to essential areas like the bathroom or exits. This directly reduces the client's risk of trips and falls.

CNA Safety and Emergency Procedures 2

Which sudden sign can indicate a stroke?