CNA Basic Nursing Skills 6 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident refuses to eat breakfast. The CNA's best response is to:
- Force the resident to eat for nutritional needs
- Document refusal and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Leave without documenting since it is a minor issue
- Threaten to withhold lunch if breakfast is refused
Correct answer: Document refusal and report to the nurse
Residents have the right to refuse care; the CNA must document the refusal and notify the nurse so care can be adjusted.
Question 2: When measuring blood pressure, the cuff should be placed:
- Over clothing for convenience
- 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital space (Correct answer)
- Directly over the brachial artery with no space above the elbow
- On the forearm if no upper arm cuff is available
Correct answer: 2 to 3 cm above the antecubital space
The cuff bottom edge is placed 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) above the antecubital fossa to allow proper stethoscope placement.
Question 3: A resident's call light is not working. The CNA should:
- Tell the resident to shout for help
- Report it to maintenance and check on the resident frequently (Correct answer)
- Document it and address it at the end of the shift
- Move the resident to a room near the nurses' station
Correct answer: Report it to maintenance and check on the resident frequently
A broken call light is a safety hazard; it must be reported immediately and the CNA should check on the resident often until repaired.
Question 4: Which observation should the CNA report to the nurse when caring for a resident with a cast?
- The cast feels slightly warm after application
- The resident's fingers below the cast are pale and cold (Correct answer)
- The resident reports mild itching
- The cast makes a hollow sound when tapped
Correct answer: The resident's fingers below the cast are pale and cold
Pale, cold fingers indicate impaired circulation below the cast and must be reported immediately as a sign of neurovascular compromise.
Question 5: To prevent contractures in a bedridden resident, the CNA should:
- Keep all joints in a flexed position
- Perform range-of-motion exercises as directed and reposition regularly (Correct answer)
- Apply tight bandages to hold limbs straight
- Avoid moving painful joints entirely
Correct answer: Perform range-of-motion exercises as directed and reposition regularly
Regular ROM exercises and repositioning maintain joint mobility and prevent the permanent shortening of muscles known as contractures.
Question 6: A resident using a walker should be instructed to:
- Lean forward heavily on the walker for balance
- Move the walker forward first, then step into it (Correct answer)
- Carry the walker between steps to save time
- Keep arms fully extended when using the walker
Correct answer: Move the walker forward first, then step into it
Correct walker technique involves moving the walker forward first, then stepping into it with the weaker leg, followed by the stronger leg.
Question 7: When collecting a urine specimen for urinalysis, the CNA should:
- Collect the first morning void in any clean container
- Have the resident discard the first stream, then collect midstream urine (Correct answer)
- Collect from the catheter bag if present
- Refrigerate the specimen for up to 24 hours before labeling
Correct answer: Have the resident discard the first stream, then collect midstream urine
A clean-catch midstream specimen reduces contamination by flushing away urethral bacteria with the initial urine stream.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 6 4
A resident refuses to eat breakfast.
The CNA's best response is to: