CNA Basic Nursing Skills 21 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident on a 1500 mL fluid restriction asks for an extra glass of water. The CNA should:
- Give the water since hydration is always important
- Offer ice chips as a substitute
- Explain the restriction and offer the allowed amount, then notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to ask the doctor
Correct answer: Explain the restriction and offer the allowed amount, then notify the nurse
The CNA must respect prescribed fluid restrictions, inform the resident, offer what is allowed within the limit, and report the request to the nurse.
Question 2: When performing mouth care on an unconscious resident, the MOST important safety precaution is to:
- Use a full toothbrush and toothpaste
- Position the resident on their side to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Complete care as quickly as possible
- Use very warm water for comfort
Correct answer: Position the resident on their side to prevent aspiration
Positioning an unconscious resident on their side allows fluids to drain from the mouth rather than into the airway, preventing aspiration.
Question 3: The normal range for adult respiratory rate at rest is:
- 6 to 10 breaths per minute
- 12 to 20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 22 to 30 breaths per minute
- 30 to 40 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute; rates outside this range should be reported to the nurse.
Question 4: A resident is on contact precautions. Before leaving the room, the CNA should remove PPE in which order?
- Mask, gloves, gown, then hand hygiene
- Gloves, gown, mask/eye protection, then hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Gown, mask, gloves, then hand hygiene
- Hand hygiene first, then remove all PPE
Correct answer: Gloves, gown, mask/eye protection, then hand hygiene
CDC guidelines specify removing gloves first (most contaminated), then gown, then mask/eye protection, followed by hand hygiene to prevent self-contamination.
Question 5: Which intervention BEST prevents contractures in a bedridden resident?
- Keeping the resident in one comfortable position
- Performing regular range-of-motion exercises (Correct answer)
- Applying heat packs to stiff joints
- Elevating extremities above heart level
Correct answer: Performing regular range-of-motion exercises
Regular range-of-motion exercises maintain joint flexibility and muscle length, directly preventing the formation of contractures in immobile residents.
Question 6: When applying a warm compress to a resident's arm, the CNA should check the skin under the compress every:
- 30 minutes
- 5 minutes (Correct answer)
- 15 minutes
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 5 minutes
Skin should be checked every 5 minutes during warm compress application to detect early signs of burns, redness, or excessive heat.
Question 7: A resident tells the CNA, 'I don't want my daughter to know anything about my condition.' The CNA should:
- Tell the daughter anyway to keep family informed
- Honor the resident's right to privacy and inform the nurse of this preference (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident to tell the daughter themselves
- Ignore the request since family always has a right to know
Correct answer: Honor the resident's right to privacy and inform the nurse of this preference
HIPAA and resident rights guarantee confidentiality; the CNA must respect the resident's wishes and communicate them to the nurse for documentation.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 21 5
A resident on a 1500 mL fluid restriction asks for an extra glass of water.
The CNA should: