CNA Basic Nursing Skills 16 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which observation should a CNA report to the nurse when caring for a resident with a urinary catheter?
- Clear, pale yellow urine output
- Urine bag positioned below bladder level
- Cloudy urine with an unusual odor (Correct answer)
- Catheter tubing free of kinks
Correct answer: Cloudy urine with an unusual odor
Cloudy urine with an unusual odor may indicate a urinary tract infection and must be reported to the nurse.
Question 2: A resident complains of sudden numbness and weakness on one side of their face and arm. The CNA should:
- Help the resident lie down and elevate their legs
- Offer the resident juice in case blood sugar is low
- Call for the nurse immediately — this may be a stroke (Correct answer)
- Encourage the resident to walk it off
Correct answer: Call for the nurse immediately — this may be a stroke
Sudden one-sided facial or limb numbness/weakness are classic stroke warning signs requiring immediate emergency response.
Question 3: What is the correct method for disposing of a used razor blade?
- Wrap in paper and place in regular trash
- Recap and place in a sharps container
- Place directly into the sharps container without recapping (Correct answer)
- Flush down the toilet
Correct answer: Place directly into the sharps container without recapping
Sharps should be placed directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping to prevent accidental needlestick injuries.
Question 4: When ambulating a resident with a gait belt, the CNA should grasp the belt:
- At the resident's back with an underhand grip
- At the resident's side with an overhand grip (Correct answer)
- At the front of the resident for better control
- From above the shoulder for maximum support
Correct answer: At the resident's side with an overhand grip
Grasping the gait belt at the resident's side with an overhand grip gives the CNA the best control to prevent falls.
Question 5: A resident on contact precautions requires a dressing change. In what order should the CNA don PPE?
- Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection
- Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, eye protection
- Eye protection, gown, gloves, mask
Correct answer: Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
Proper donning order is: gown first, then mask, then eye protection, then gloves to ensure complete coverage before contact.
Question 6: A confused resident attempts to climb out of bed during the night. The BEST initial intervention is to:
- Apply physical restraints to prevent falls
- Move the resident to a room closer to the nurses' station
- Lower the bed to the lowest position and place call light within reach (Correct answer)
- Lock the bed wheels and raise all four side rails
Correct answer: Lower the bed to the lowest position and place call light within reach
Lowering the bed minimizes fall injury risk and keeping the call light accessible encourages the resident to ask for help.
Question 7: Which action is appropriate when caring for a resident with a colostomy?
- Empty the pouch only when completely full
- Clean the stoma with alcohol wipes
- Measure the stoma before cutting each new wafer (Correct answer)
- Avoid changing the appliance more than once per week
Correct answer: Measure the stoma before cutting each new wafer
Measuring the stoma before cutting each wafer ensures a proper fit that protects the surrounding skin from leakage.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 16 5
Which observation should a CNA report to the nurse when caring for a resident with a urinary catheter?