CNA Assisting with Daily Living 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assisting a resident with oral care who is unconscious, the CNA should position the resident:
- Flat on their back (supine)
- On their side (lateral) with head turned to the side (Correct answer)
- In high Fowler's position (90 degrees)
- Prone with head turned
Correct answer: On their side (lateral) with head turned to the side
Positioning an unconscious resident on their side prevents aspiration of fluids during oral care.
Question 2: A resident's hair is tangled and matted. The best approach for the CNA when combing is to:
- Start at the scalp and comb downward
- Cut the tangles out immediately
- Start at the ends and work toward the scalp (Correct answer)
- Soak hair in water first, then comb from scalp down
Correct answer: Start at the ends and work toward the scalp
Starting at the ends and working upward minimizes pain and hair breakage when dealing with tangles.
Question 3: During a bed bath, when should the CNA change the bath water?
- Only at the very end of the bath
- Never — use the same water throughout
- When it becomes cold, soapy, or dirty (Correct answer)
- After washing each individual body part
Correct answer: When it becomes cold, soapy, or dirty
Bath water should be changed when it becomes cold, soapy, or soiled to maintain hygiene and comfort.
Question 4: A resident who normally wears glasses needs assistance with ADLs. The CNA should:
- Keep glasses put away to prevent breakage during care
- Ensure the resident wears their glasses before starting activities (Correct answer)
- Only put glasses on after all ADL care is complete
- Ask the nurse if glasses are needed for bathing
Correct answer: Ensure the resident wears their glasses before starting activities
Residents should wear assistive devices like glasses during activities to promote independence, dignity, and safety.
Question 5: While giving a back rub, the CNA notices redness over the resident's coccyx that does not blanch. The correct action is to:
- Continue the massage vigorously to increase circulation
- Apply lotion and continue the back rub as planned
- Stop, cover the area, and immediately report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Document the finding at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Stop, cover the area, and immediately report to the nurse
Non-blanching redness over a bony prominence is a stage 1 pressure injury and must be reported to the nurse immediately.
Question 6: A resident tells the CNA they prefer to bathe in the evening rather than the morning. The CNA should:
- Explain that morning baths are facility policy and cannot be changed
- Honor the preference and communicate it to the care team (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident this isn't possible due to staffing
- Bathe the resident in the morning without mentioning the preference
Correct answer: Honor the preference and communicate it to the care team
Residents have the right to set their own routines; the CNA should accommodate preferences and communicate them to ensure consistent care.
Question 7: When shaving a male resident with a safety razor, the CNA should shave in which direction?
- Against the direction of hair growth
- In circular motions
- In the direction of hair growth (Correct answer)
- Across the grain at 45-degree angles
Correct answer: In the direction of hair growth
Shaving in the direction of hair growth reduces skin irritation, nicks, and the risk of ingrown hairs.
CNA Assisting with Daily Living 3
When assisting a resident with oral care who is unconscious, the CNA should position the resident: