CNA Personal Care Skills 1 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident has a contracture in their right arm. How should the CNA position the arm during a bed bath?
- Force the arm straight to clean underneath
- Support the arm in its natural position and gently clean skin folds (Correct answer)
- Skip that arm to avoid causing pain
- Apply firm pressure to straighten the contracture before washing
Correct answer: Support the arm in its natural position and gently clean skin folds
Contractured limbs must be supported in their existing position while carefully cleaning all skin folds to prevent breakdown.
Question 2: When providing nail care for a resident with diabetes, the CNA should:
- Trim toenails straight across with nail clippers
- File fingernails and report any foot nail concerns to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Soak feet in hot water before trimming both finger and toenails
- Cut toenails rounded to match the toe shape
Correct answer: File fingernails and report any foot nail concerns to the nurse
CNAs may file fingernails but must report toenail care for diabetic residents to the nurse due to risk of infection and poor healing.
Question 3: A resident's dentures are soaking overnight. Where should they be stored?
- In a dry cup on the bedside table
- In a labeled denture cup with cool water or denture solution (Correct answer)
- In the bathroom sink filled with warm water
- Wrapped in a paper towel in the bedside drawer
Correct answer: In a labeled denture cup with cool water or denture solution
Dentures should be kept in a labeled cup with cool water or denture cleansing solution to prevent warping and loss.
Question 4: While assisting a resident with a shower, the CNA notices a reddened area on the resident's coccyx. The FIRST action is to:
- Apply lotion and continue the shower
- Complete the shower, then immediately report to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Document it in the chart without telling anyone
- Tell the resident to stay off their back
Correct answer: Complete the shower, then immediately report to the nurse
A reddened area on the coccyx is a Stage 1 pressure injury warning sign and must be reported to the nurse promptly after safe completion of care.
Question 5: A female resident requests perineal care. In what direction should the CNA clean the perineal area?
- Back to front, using one stroke
- Front to back, using a clean portion of cloth for each stroke (Correct answer)
- Side to side in a circular motion
- Front to back using the same cloth section throughout
Correct answer: Front to back, using a clean portion of cloth for each stroke
Cleaning front to back with a clean cloth section each stroke prevents transferring bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.
Question 6: When shampooing a resident's hair in bed using a shampoo basin, the CNA should:
- Use very hot water to ensure scalp cleanliness
- Protect the resident's eyes and ears and use lukewarm water (Correct answer)
- Shampoo hair first before doing the bed bath
- Skip conditioner to avoid getting the pillow wet
Correct answer: Protect the resident's eyes and ears and use lukewarm water
Protecting eyes and ears from water and using lukewarm water ensures the resident's comfort and safety during in-bed hair washing.
Question 7: A resident refuses a bath. The CNA's best response is to:
- Proceed anyway because hygiene is medically necessary
- Respect the refusal, offer to do a partial wash, and report the refusal to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Tell the charge nurse immediately without offering any alternative
- Document the refusal and take no further action
Correct answer: Respect the refusal, offer to do a partial wash, and report the refusal to the nurse
Residents have the right to refuse care; the CNA should respect autonomy, offer alternatives, and report to the nurse per facility policy.
CNA Personal Care Skills 1 3
A resident has a contracture in their right arm.
How should the CNA position the arm during a bed bath?