CNA Basic Nursing Skills 20 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises, the CNA should stop if the resident:
- Asks to continue the exercise
- Reports pain or resistance is felt (Correct answer)
- Has a scheduled therapy appointment
- Is in a semi-Fowler's position
Correct answer: Reports pain or resistance is felt
Pain or resistance during PROM indicates potential injury risk, and the CNA must stop immediately and report to the nurse.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct technique when applying a non-sterile dressing change as directed by the nurse?
- Use bare hands to remove the old dressing
- Wear clean gloves and remove dressing toward the wound center
- Use sterile gloves and remove dressing away from the wound (Correct answer)
- Apply tape directly over the wound before gauze
Correct answer: Use sterile gloves and remove dressing away from the wound
Sterile gloves and removing the dressing away from the wound reduces contamination and tissue trauma.
Question 3: A resident has a new order for elastic compression stockings (TED hose). When should the CNA apply them?
- After the resident has been walking for 30 minutes
- While the resident is sitting in a chair
- Before the resident gets out of bed in the morning (Correct answer)
- After the resident's legs are elevated for 1 hour
Correct answer: Before the resident gets out of bed in the morning
TED hose are most effective when applied before the resident is upright to prevent blood pooling in the legs.
Question 4: When using a gait belt to ambulate a resident, where should the CNA position themselves?
- Directly in front of the resident
- Behind and slightly to the side of the resident
- To the resident's stronger side and slightly behind
- To the resident's weaker side and slightly behind (Correct answer)
Correct answer: To the resident's weaker side and slightly behind
Standing on the weaker side positions the CNA to provide support where the resident is most likely to lose balance.
Question 5: A resident's urinary output for an 8-hour shift is 180 mL. The CNA should:
- Encourage more fluid intake and document normally
- Report this immediately to the nurse as it may indicate oliguria (Correct answer)
- Restrict fluids per standard protocol
- Increase the resident's activity level to stimulate output
Correct answer: Report this immediately to the nurse as it may indicate oliguria
Normal urine output is approximately 30 mL/hour; 180 mL over 8 hours falls below this threshold and must be reported.
Question 6: Which action by the CNA best prevents pressure injuries when a resident is in a wheelchair?
- Keeping the footrests elevated at all times
- Assisting the resident to perform weight shifts every 15–30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Placing a thin foam pad under the resident's hips
- Securing the lap belt tightly to prevent sliding
Correct answer: Assisting the resident to perform weight shifts every 15–30 minutes
Regular weight shifts relieve pressure on bony prominences, the primary cause of pressure injuries in wheelchair users.
Question 7: When caring for a resident with a urinary catheter, the drainage bag should always be:
- Level with the bladder for accurate measurement
- Hung on the bed rail for easy access
- Kept below the level of the bladder at all times (Correct answer)
- Emptied only at the end of each shift
Correct answer: Kept below the level of the bladder at all times
Keeping the drainage bag below bladder level uses gravity to prevent urine backflow, which could cause infection.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 20 3
When performing passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises, the CNA should stop if the resident: