CNA Basic Nursing Skills 8 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which finding should the CNA report to the nurse immediately when caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube?
- The tube is secured with tape to the nose
- The patient coughs repeatedly and has difficulty breathing (Correct answer)
- The drainage appears light yellow and watery
- The patient states they have a mild sore throat
Correct answer: The patient coughs repeatedly and has difficulty breathing
Repeated coughing and breathing difficulty may indicate the NG tube has migrated into the airway, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2: When measuring a patient's radial pulse, the CNA is unable to feel a distinct beat. The next step is to:
- Document the pulse as zero
- Use a stethoscope to take an apical pulse and report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Press harder on the wrist to find the pulse
- Assume the reading was correct and move on
Correct answer: Use a stethoscope to take an apical pulse and report to the nurse
If a radial pulse is difficult to detect, an apical pulse provides a more accurate assessment and the finding should be reported.
Question 3: A patient receiving oxygen via nasal cannula complains of dryness and irritation in the nose. The CNA should:
- Increase the oxygen flow rate to improve comfort
- Report the complaint to the nurse and check that humidification is in use (Correct answer)
- Remove the cannula for 30 minutes to allow the nose to recover
- Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils to moisten them
Correct answer: Report the complaint to the nurse and check that humidification is in use
Nasal dryness from oxygen therapy should be reported to the nurse, who may order humidification; petroleum jelly is contraindicated near oxygen.
Question 4: When caring for a patient on a mechanical soft diet, which food is appropriate to serve?
- Raw carrots
- Whole almonds
- Mashed potatoes (Correct answer)
- Crusty bread
Correct answer: Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are soft, easy to chew, and appropriate for a mechanical soft diet that avoids hard or crunchy textures.
Question 5: A CNA notices that a resident's IV insertion site is swollen, cool, and pale. This likely indicates:
- Phlebitis at the site
- Infiltration of IV fluid into surrounding tissue (Correct answer)
- A normal response to IV therapy
- An allergic reaction to the IV fluid
Correct answer: Infiltration of IV fluid into surrounding tissue
Swelling, coolness, and pallor at an IV site are classic signs of infiltration, where fluid leaks into surrounding tissue.
Question 6: To promote sleep for a resident at night, the CNA should FIRST try:
- Requesting a sleeping medication from the nurse
- Offering a warm beverage, dimming lights, and reducing noise (Correct answer)
- Leaving the TV on quietly for background noise
- Encouraging the resident to exercise vigorously before bed
Correct answer: Offering a warm beverage, dimming lights, and reducing noise
Non-pharmacological comfort measures such as warm beverages, dim lighting, and quiet environments promote natural sleep.
Question 7: While giving perineal care to a female resident, the CNA should cleanse:
- From back to front to avoid contaminating the urethra
- From front to back to prevent introducing rectal bacteria to the urethra (Correct answer)
- In circular motions covering all areas equally
- Using the same washcloth stroke for the entire perineal area
Correct answer: From front to back to prevent introducing rectal bacteria to the urethra
Cleansing front to back (urethral to rectal area) prevents fecal bacteria from contaminating the urethral opening and causing UTIs.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 8 5
Which finding should the CNA report to the nurse immediately when caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube?