CNA Basic Nursing Skills 16 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When applying a non-sterile dressing to a wound, the CNA should:
- Touch the center of the dressing pad when placing it
- Hold the dressing by its edges to keep the center clean (Correct answer)
- Use bare hands if gloves are unavailable
- Secure only one side of the dressing with tape
Correct answer: Hold the dressing by its edges to keep the center clean
Holding the dressing by its edges prevents contamination of the absorbent center that contacts the wound.
Question 2: A resident with dysphagia is at greatest risk for:
- Pressure injuries
- Aspiration pneumonia (Correct answer)
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Urinary tract infection
Correct answer: Aspiration pneumonia
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) increases the risk of food or liquid entering the airway, leading to aspiration pneumonia.
Question 3: Which action by a CNA helps prevent shearing injuries in a bedridden resident?
- Dragging the resident up in bed using a draw sheet
- Lifting rather than sliding the resident during repositioning (Correct answer)
- Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 60 degrees
- Using a single caregiver for all repositioning tasks
Correct answer: Lifting rather than sliding the resident during repositioning
Lifting instead of sliding eliminates the friction and shearing forces that damage skin and underlying tissue.
Question 4: When a resident is in the supine position, a trochanter roll is used to:
- Prevent external rotation of the hip (Correct answer)
- Support the resident's head
- Elevate the resident's legs
- Prevent plantar flexion of the foot
Correct answer: Prevent external rotation of the hip
A trochanter roll placed alongside the hip and thigh prevents external rotation, which can cause contractures.
Question 5: A resident reports pain rated 8 out of 10. The CNA should:
- Administer the prescribed pain medication
- Tell the resident to wait until the next scheduled dose
- Report the pain to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Encourage the resident to rest and reassess in one hour
Correct answer: Report the pain to the nurse immediately
Pain assessment findings, especially high scores, must be reported to the nurse promptly so appropriate intervention can be provided.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of postmortem care?
- To prepare the body for autopsy
- To maintain body temperature
- To preserve dignity and prepare the body for the family (Correct answer)
- To prevent rigor mortis
Correct answer: To preserve dignity and prepare the body for the family
Postmortem care is performed to treat the deceased with respect and dignity and to prepare the body before family viewing.
Question 7: A resident using a walker should be instructed to advance the walker:
- After both feet are planted firmly
- Before stepping forward with the weaker leg (Correct answer)
- Simultaneously with each step
- Only after the stronger leg is forward
Correct answer: Before stepping forward with the weaker leg
The walker is advanced first, then the weaker leg steps forward, followed by the stronger leg to support weight safely.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 16 4
When applying a non-sterile dressing to a wound, the CNA should: