CNA Basic Nursing Skills 19 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When applying a non-sterile elastic bandage (Ace wrap), the CNA should wrap it:
- From proximal to distal to promote circulation
- From distal to proximal to prevent dependent edema (Correct answer)
- Randomly in any direction for comfort
- As tightly as possible to prevent slipping
Correct answer: From distal to proximal to prevent dependent edema
Wrapping from distal (farthest from the heart) to proximal pushes fluid toward the body and prevents swelling.
Question 2: A resident on a fluid restriction of 1,000 mL/day has already consumed 750 mL by noon. The CNA should:
- Stop all fluids for the rest of the day
- Offer the remaining 250 mL spread across remaining hours (Correct answer)
- Allow extra fluids since the restriction is nearly met
- Report noncompliance to the nurse
Correct answer: Offer the remaining 250 mL spread across remaining hours
Distributing the remaining allowed fluid over the rest of the day helps the resident stay within the restriction comfortably.
Question 3: Which observation about a resident's stool should be reported to the nurse immediately?
- Brown, formed stool
- Slightly loose stool after a high-fiber meal
- Tarry, black stool (Correct answer)
- Light yellow stool in an infant
Correct answer: Tarry, black stool
Tarry, black (melena) stool indicates possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding and requires immediate reporting.
Question 4: A resident's pulse is irregular. The CNA's best action is to:
- Count the pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
- Count for a full 60 seconds and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Recheck in 30 minutes before reporting
- Increase the counting rate to detect every beat
Correct answer: Count for a full 60 seconds and report to the nurse
An irregular pulse must be counted for a full minute for accuracy, and the irregularity must be reported to the nurse.
Question 5: When giving a bed bath, the CNA should change the bath water when it becomes:
- Cooler than room temperature
- Visibly soiled or soapy (Correct answer)
- Used for more than 10 minutes
- Cloudy but still warm
Correct answer: Visibly soiled or soapy
Water should be changed when visibly dirty or soapy to prevent transferring microorganisms between body areas.
Question 6: The purpose of using a gait belt when assisting a resident to ambulate is to:
- Support the resident's abdomen during walking
- Provide a secure grip to guide and catch the resident safely (Correct answer)
- Restrict the resident's movement to a safe range
- Monitor the resident's heart rate during exercise
Correct answer: Provide a secure grip to guide and catch the resident safely
A gait belt provides the CNA a firm hold to guide, support, and catch the resident if they begin to fall.
Question 7: A resident with a urinary catheter complains of lower abdominal pain and the urinary bag shows no output for 2 hours. The CNA should first:
- Irrigate the catheter independently
- Check for kinks in the tubing, then report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Remove and reinsert the catheter
- Elevate the drainage bag above bladder level
Correct answer: Check for kinks in the tubing, then report to the nurse
Checking for tubing kinks is the first simple corrective step; if output remains absent, the nurse must be notified promptly.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 19 4
When applying a non-sterile elastic bandage (Ace wrap), the CNA should wrap it: