CNA Basic Nursing Skills 3 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident using a walker suddenly says their legs feel weak and they cannot continue walking. The CNA should:
- Guide the resident to a nearby chair or lower them safely to the floor if needed (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to hold the walker tightly and continue walking
- Leave the resident holding the walker and get the nurse
- Help the resident quickly return to bed before they fall
Correct answer: Guide the resident to a nearby chair or lower them safely to the floor if needed
Safely assisting the resident to sit or guiding them to the floor prevents injury from a potential fall.
Question 2: When collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, the CNA should instruct the resident to:
- Clean the urethral area, begin urinating, then catch urine mid-flow in the sterile container (Correct answer)
- Collect the first urine stream directly into the container
- Collect the specimen after drinking 32 ounces of water
- Refrigerate the specimen for 2 hours before submitting it
Correct answer: Clean the urethral area, begin urinating, then catch urine mid-flow in the sterile container
The midstream technique flushes contaminating bacteria from the urethra before specimen collection, improving accuracy.
Question 3: A resident's blood pressure reading is 158/96 mmHg. The CNA should:
- Record the reading and report it to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Retake the blood pressure on the other arm and average the two readings
- Tell the resident the reading is normal and document it
- Administer the resident's antihypertensive medication immediately
Correct answer: Record the reading and report it to the nurse
A BP of 158/96 is elevated and must be reported to the nurse, who will determine next steps.
Question 4: When assisting a resident with a hearing aid, the CNA should:
- Insert the hearing aid before turning it on, then adjust the volume (Correct answer)
- Turn the hearing aid on before inserting it into the ear canal
- Clean the hearing aid with alcohol wipes daily
- Remove the hearing aid only when the resident is sleeping
Correct answer: Insert the hearing aid before turning it on, then adjust the volume
Inserting the hearing aid before turning it on prevents uncomfortable feedback (squealing) sounds.
Question 5: A resident with dysphagia is eating lunch. Which observation should the CNA report to the nurse immediately?
- The resident is coughing frequently after each swallow (Correct answer)
- The resident is eating slowly and taking small bites
- The resident asks for thickened liquids instead of thin
- The resident is sitting upright at 90 degrees during the meal
Correct answer: The resident is coughing frequently after each swallow
Frequent coughing after swallowing is a sign of aspiration risk and requires immediate nurse notification.
Question 6: A resident returns from surgery with an indwelling urinary catheter. The CNA notices no urine has drained in 2 hours. The CNA should:
- Check for kinks in the tubing and report to the nurse if no urine drains (Correct answer)
- Irrigate the catheter with saline to clear any blockage
- Clamp the catheter to allow the bladder to fill
- Reposition the drainage bag above the level of the bladder
Correct answer: Check for kinks in the tubing and report to the nurse if no urine drains
Checking for kinked tubing is the first step; if no obstruction is found, the nurse must be notified of possible blockage or inadequate urine output.
Question 7: The purpose of using a draw sheet (lift sheet) when moving a resident up in bed is to:
- Reduce friction and shearing forces on the resident's skin (Correct answer)
- Restrain the resident during repositioning
- Replace the need for a second person during repositioning
- Keep the resident's sheets clean during the transfer
Correct answer: Reduce friction and shearing forces on the resident's skin
Draw sheets distribute the movement across a larger surface area, reducing friction and preventing skin breakdown.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 3 5
A resident using a walker suddenly says their legs feel weak and they cannot continue walking.
The CNA should: