CNA Personal Care Skills 1 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident wears a hearing aid. Before bathing the resident, the CNA should:
- Leave the hearing aid in place so the resident can hear instructions
- Remove and store the hearing aid safely before getting it near water (Correct answer)
- Cover the hearing aid with a towel during the bath
- Turn the hearing aid volume down before beginning
Correct answer: Remove and store the hearing aid safely before getting it near water
Hearing aids are damaged by water and must be removed and stored safely before any bathing activity.
Question 2: When assisting a resident with dressing, the CNA should put on clothing starting with:
- The stronger side first for upper extremities
- The weaker side first for both upper and lower extremities (Correct answer)
- Either side, based on the resident's preference
- The weaker side for upper extremities and stronger side for lower
Correct answer: The weaker side first for both upper and lower extremities
The weaker extremity is dressed first because it has less range of motion, making it easier to guide into sleeves or pant legs.
Question 3: The water temperature for a resident's bath should be checked by the CNA using:
- The CNA's elbow or a bath thermometer, confirming 105°F–115°F (Correct answer)
- The CNA's hand, feeling for comfort
- The resident's hand placed in the water
- A thermometer only if the resident requests it
Correct answer: The CNA's elbow or a bath thermometer, confirming 105°F–115°F
Water temperature should be tested with the elbow or a thermometer and kept between 105°F and 115°F (40–46°C) to prevent burns.
Question 4: A resident has an IV in the right arm. The CNA needs to change the resident's gown. What is correct?
- Remove the gown from the right (IV) arm first
- Remove the gown from the left arm first, then carefully slide it over the IV bag (Correct answer)
- Call the nurse to change the gown
- Cut the gown off on the IV side to avoid disturbing the line
Correct answer: Remove the gown from the left arm first, then carefully slide it over the IV bag
Remove from the uninvolved arm first, then thread the gown carefully over the IV tubing and bag to protect the line.
Question 5: Which technique is most important when performing oral care for an unconscious resident?
- Use a standard toothbrush with toothpaste for thorough cleaning
- Position the resident on their side and use a suction toothbrush or swabs to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees before beginning
- Use large amounts of water to rinse debris away
Correct answer: Position the resident on their side and use a suction toothbrush or swabs to prevent aspiration
Side-lying positioning and minimal fluid prevent aspiration of secretions or liquid into the airway in unconscious residents.
Question 6: A resident's skin looks yellow (jaundiced). The CNA should:
- Apply moisturizer to improve skin color
- Note the observation and report it to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident why their skin looks yellow
- Document it in the care plan and monitor over the next week
Correct answer: Note the observation and report it to the nurse immediately
Jaundice can indicate serious liver or bile duct problems and must be reported to the nurse immediately for medical evaluation.
Question 7: When giving a back rub, the CNA should avoid massaging:
- The lower back and lumbar area
- Over bony prominences that appear reddened (Correct answer)
- The upper back and shoulder area
- Along the sides of the spine
Correct answer: Over bony prominences that appear reddened
Massaging a reddened bony prominence can further damage fragile tissue that may already be in early-stage pressure injury.
CNA Personal Care Skills 1 4
A resident wears a hearing aid.
Before bathing the resident, the CNA should: