CNA Basic Nursing Skills 9 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dysphagia is eating lunch. Which observation should prompt the CNA to stop feeding and call for help immediately?
- The resident eats slowly
- The resident coughs repeatedly and their voice becomes wet/gurgly (Correct answer)
- The resident requests a thicker beverage
- The resident pauses between bites
Correct answer: The resident coughs repeatedly and their voice becomes wet/gurgly
Repeated coughing and a wet/gurgly voice after swallowing are signs of aspiration, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 2: The CNA is making an occupied bed. When turning the resident to change the linens, what is the priority safety measure?
- Lower both side rails before beginning
- Raise the side rail on the side the resident is turning toward before moving to the opposite side (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident to hold onto the IV pole for support
- Remove the pillow to create more working space
Correct answer: Raise the side rail on the side the resident is turning toward before moving to the opposite side
Raising the far side rail before moving to the opposite side prevents the resident from rolling out of bed during the linen change.
Question 3: A resident receiving oxygen via nasal cannula has a dry, irritated nose. What can the CNA do to provide comfort?
- Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils
- Apply a water-based lubricant to the inside of the nostrils per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Increase the oxygen flow rate to compensate
- Remove the cannula temporarily without notifying the nurse
Correct answer: Apply a water-based lubricant to the inside of the nostrils per facility policy
Water-based lubricants are safe to use near oxygen equipment; petroleum-based products are flammable and contraindicated with oxygen.
Question 4: When documenting care, a CNA realizes they forgot to chart a procedure performed two hours ago. What is the correct action?
- Add the entry as if written at the original time without notation
- Write a late entry, document the current time, and note when the care was actually given (Correct answer)
- Skip documenting since too much time has passed
- Ask a coworker to document it for them
Correct answer: Write a late entry, document the current time, and note when the care was actually given
Late entries are acceptable in healthcare documentation when clearly labeled with both the charting time and the time care was delivered.
Question 5: A resident returns from surgery with an order for incentive spirometry every hour while awake. What is the CNA's role?
- Perform deep suctioning if the resident cannot use the spirometer
- Coach and encourage the resident to use the device and report difficulty to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Perform the spirometry for the resident if they are too weak
- Discontinue the spirometry if the resident finds it uncomfortable
Correct answer: Coach and encourage the resident to use the device and report difficulty to the nurse
The CNA's role is to encourage and coach the resident in using the incentive spirometer and report any inability or distress to the nurse.
Question 6: While changing a resident's wound dressing, the CNA notices the wound has increased redness, warmth, and purulent drainage. What should the CNA do?
- Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide and continue
- Stop the dressing change, cover the wound, and report findings to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Document the findings at end of shift
- Apply an antibiotic ointment from the supply cabinet
Correct answer: Stop the dressing change, cover the wound, and report findings to the nurse immediately
Signs of wound infection require prompt nurse notification; the CNA should not continue without guidance or apply unauthorized treatments.
Question 7: A resident's blood pressure reads 178/106 mmHg. The CNA's first action should be to:
- Administer a PRN antihypertensive medication
- Recheck the reading on the other arm and report to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to lie down and recheck in one hour
- Document the reading and wait for the nurse's routine rounds
Correct answer: Recheck the reading on the other arm and report to the nurse immediately
A significantly elevated blood pressure should be verified and reported promptly to the nurse for further evaluation and possible intervention.
CNA Basic Nursing Skills 9 4
A resident with dysphagia is eating lunch.
Which observation should prompt the CNA to stop feeding and call for help immediately?