CNA Basic Nursing Skills 1 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on a mechanical soft diet chokes frequently. What should the CNA do?
- Switch the patient to a regular diet for variety
- Continue feeding slowly and document the choking episodes at end of shift
- Stop feeding, report to the nurse immediately, and document observations (Correct answer)
- Offer only liquids until the next meal
Correct answer: Stop feeding, report to the nurse immediately, and document observations
Repeated choking is a safety concern indicating a possible swallowing problem; feeding must stop and the nurse must be notified right away.
Question 2: Which observation about a wound dressing requires the CNA to notify the nurse immediately?
- The dressing is slightly wrinkled
- The tape is lifting at one corner
- The dressing is saturated with bright red blood (Correct answer)
- The dressing has been in place for 24 hours
Correct answer: The dressing is saturated with bright red blood
Bright red blood saturating a dressing indicates active bleeding, which is an urgent finding requiring immediate nursing assessment.
Question 3: A patient tells the CNA, 'I feel like my heart is fluttering and I'm dizzy.' The CNA should first:
- Ask the patient to rest and recheck in 30 minutes
- Offer the patient a glass of water
- Stay with the patient and call for the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Take the patient's temperature to rule out fever
Correct answer: Stay with the patient and call for the nurse immediately
Palpitations combined with dizziness can signal a cardiac event; the CNA must stay with the patient and get the nurse immediately.
Question 4: Which technique is used to correctly count a patient's respirations without alerting the patient?
- Tell the patient to breathe normally while you watch
- Count breaths immediately after counting the pulse while still holding the wrist (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to count their own breaths aloud
- Use a stethoscope placed on the throat
Correct answer: Count breaths immediately after counting the pulse while still holding the wrist
Counting respirations while still appearing to take the pulse prevents the patient from consciously altering their breathing pattern.
Question 5: When assisting a visually impaired patient to eat, what should the CNA do to promote independence?
- Feed the patient entirely to ensure all food is consumed
- Describe the location of foods on the plate using clock positions (Correct answer)
- Combine all foods on one spoon to reduce mealtime length
- Dim the lights to reduce sensory overstimulation
Correct answer: Describe the location of foods on the plate using clock positions
Using clock positions (e.g., 'potatoes at 6 o'clock') helps visually impaired patients locate their food and eat more independently.
Question 6: After a patient uses a bedpan, the CNA should perform perineal care wiping:
- Back to front to clean the most soiled area first
- Front to back to prevent introducing rectal bacteria to the urethra (Correct answer)
- Side to side using circular motions
- The direction does not matter as long as soap is used
Correct answer: Front to back to prevent introducing rectal bacteria to the urethra
Front-to-back wiping moves bacteria away from the urethral opening, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
Question 7: A patient's systolic blood pressure reading is 88 mmHg. What should the CNA do?
- Record it and inform the nurse at the next scheduled rounds
- Recheck immediately on the other arm and report the finding to the nurse right away (Correct answer)
- Assume the cuff was too large and document 'equipment error'
- Elevate the patient's legs and administer oral fluids without notifying the nurse
Correct answer: Recheck immediately on the other arm and report the finding to the nurse right away
A systolic BP of 88 mmHg is abnormally low and should be rechecked for accuracy, then immediately reported to the nurse.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 1 5
A patient on a mechanical soft diet chokes frequently.
What should the CNA do?