CNA The Nurse Aide's Role and Responsibilities — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which best describes the nurse aide's primary function in a healthcare facility?
- To make clinical diagnoses and adjust care plans
- To administer medications and manage IV therapy
- To provide direct hands-on care and observe and report resident status to the nurse (Correct answer)
- To coordinate admissions and discharge planning
Correct answer: To provide direct hands-on care and observe and report resident status to the nurse
The nurse aide's primary function is to provide direct, hands-on care to residents, assisting with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting, while observing and reporting changes in condition to the licensed nurse.
Question 2: A licensed nurse delegates a task to a CNA. Who is ultimately responsible for the outcome of that task?
- Only the nurse who delegated the task
- Only the CNA who performed the task
- Both the nurse (for appropriate delegation) and the CNA (for correct performance) share responsibility (Correct answer)
- The facility administrator is solely responsible
Correct answer: Both the nurse (for appropriate delegation) and the CNA (for correct performance) share responsibility
While the nurse is responsible for the overall delegation decision and cannot delegate tasks that require nursing judgment, the CNA is accountable for correctly performing the delegated task within their training and competency. Both share responsibility—the nurse for delegating appropriately and the CNA for performing competently.
Question 3: What is the nurse aide's legal obligation when witnessing abuse?
- Report only if the abuse is physical, not verbal
- Discuss it with co-workers first before deciding to report
- Report it immediately to the charge nurse or supervisor and document the facts (Correct answer)
- Wait to see if the behavior continues before escalating
Correct answer: Report it immediately to the charge nurse or supervisor and document the facts
CNAs are mandatory reporters. When abuse is witnessed or suspected, they are legally required to report it immediately to the charge nurse and/or supervisor. Failure to report constitutes neglect and can result in loss of certification and criminal liability.
Question 4: Which of the following demonstrates the nurse aide maintaining professional boundaries?
- Accepting a large monetary gift from a grateful resident
- Sharing personal phone number with a resident who seems lonely
- Maintaining a professional and caring relationship without personal entanglement or accepting significant gifts (Correct answer)
- Becoming the resident's primary decision-maker for financial matters
Correct answer: Maintaining a professional and caring relationship without personal entanglement or accepting significant gifts
Professional boundaries protect both the resident and the CNA. A nurse aide maintains professional boundaries by not forming personal romantic relationships with residents, not accepting significant gifts, keeping personal information confidential, and maintaining a caring but professional demeanor.
Question 5: A CNA notices a resident's skin appears red and broken over their tailbone. What should they do?
- Apply lotion to the area and check it again tomorrow
- Clean the area and place a bandage over it independently
- Report the finding to the nurse immediately and document it accurately (Correct answer)
- Increase the resident's fluid intake to promote skin healing
Correct answer: Report the finding to the nurse immediately and document it accurately
Skin breakdown over bony prominences such as the tailbone is a potential pressure injury. The CNA must report this observation to the nurse immediately and document it accurately. Early identification and reporting allows for prompt intervention to prevent a more serious pressure ulcer.
Question 6: What information should a CNA include when reporting a change in a resident's condition?
- A general statement like 'the resident doesn't seem right today'
- Their personal opinion about the cause of the change
- Specific objective observations including what was noticed, when, any measurements, and relevant circumstances (Correct answer)
- Only changes that the CNA believes are medically serious
Correct answer: Specific objective observations including what was noticed, when, any measurements, and relevant circumstances
When reporting changes, the CNA should provide objective, specific observations: what was seen, heard, or measured (e.g., vital signs, skin appearance, behavior), when it was first noticed, and any related circumstances. Subjective opinions or guesses should be avoided.
CNA The Nurse Aide's Role and Responsibilities
Which best describes the nurse aide's primary function in a healthcare facility?