CNA Bathing and Dressing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident's skin appears red and irritated under a brace after bathing. What should the CNA do?
- Apply powder to reduce moisture and replace the brace
- Massage the reddened area vigorously to restore circulation
- Do not replace the brace and report the skin change to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Replace the brace and document the observation at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Do not replace the brace and report the skin change to the nurse
Redness under a brace may indicate a pressure injury developing; the CNA must report it promptly and not replace the device without guidance.
Question 2: When giving a complete bed bath, which area should the CNA wash LAST?
- Face and neck
- Arms and chest
- Legs and feet
- Perineal area (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Perineal area
The perineal area is washed last to prevent spreading bacteria to other body areas.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the correct technique for washing a resident's hair in bed?
- Place a waterproof pad and trough under the head and pour warm water over the hair (Correct answer)
- Use dry shampoo only, as water in bed is a major safety hazard
- Have the resident sit upright and use a handheld shower over the bed
- Wash hair only when the resident can be transferred to the shower
Correct answer: Place a waterproof pad and trough under the head and pour warm water over the hair
A shampoo trough and waterproof pad allow safe in-bed hair washing for residents who cannot be moved.
Question 4: A resident with diabetes requires foot care after bathing. Which action is CORRECT for the CNA?
- Clip the toenails straight across and file sharp edges
- Soak the feet for 20 minutes to soften the nails before clipping
- Dry between the toes thoroughly and report any sores or redness to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Apply lotion between the toes to prevent dryness
Correct answer: Dry between the toes thoroughly and report any sores or redness to the nurse
CNAs must dry between toes to prevent fungal infections and report any abnormalities; toenail cutting on diabetic residents is typically outside CNA scope and requires a nurse or podiatrist.
Question 5: When helping a resident select clothing for the day, the CNA should PRIMARILY consider:
- The color that best matches the facility's décor
- The resident's personal preferences and the weather or room temperature (Correct answer)
- The easiest garment for the CNA to put on quickly
- What the family dropped off most recently
Correct answer: The resident's personal preferences and the weather or room temperature
Respecting personal choice and ensuring comfort based on temperature are the top priorities in resident-centered care.
Question 6: A resident has an IV line in the right arm. How should the CNA dress them?
- Skip the top garment to avoid disturbing the IV
- Thread the IV bag and tubing through the sleeve of the right arm first (Correct answer)
- Put the left sleeve on first, then carefully thread the right side over the IV
- Ask the nurse to remove the IV before dressing the resident
Correct answer: Thread the IV bag and tubing through the sleeve of the right arm first
When dressing a resident with an IV, thread the IV bag through the sleeve of the affected arm first to prevent disconnection or infiltration.
Question 7: Which observation made during bathing MUST be reported to the nurse immediately?
- The resident's skin feels slightly dry on the forearms
- There is new bruising on the resident's inner thigh with no known cause (Correct answer)
- The resident's hair looks thinner than it did last week
- The resident requests a different brand of soap
Correct answer: There is new bruising on the resident's inner thigh with no known cause
Unexplained bruising, especially in sensitive areas, may indicate abuse or an undocumented fall and must be reported immediately.
CNA Bathing and Dressing 5
A resident's skin appears red and irritated under a brace after bathing.
What should the CNA do?