CNA Personal Care Skills 1 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place. When providing oral care, the CNA should:
- Remove the tube before cleaning the mouth
- Provide oral care carefully without disturbing the tube, keeping the naris clean (Correct answer)
- Skip oral care entirely to avoid dislodging the tube
- Use a power toothbrush for more effective cleaning
Correct answer: Provide oral care carefully without disturbing the tube, keeping the naris clean
Oral care continues for NG-tube residents; the CNA cleans gently around the tube and keeps the naris clean without pulling on the tube.
Question 2: While performing perineal care on a male resident, the CNA notices an open sore on the penis. The CNA should:
- Clean around it and document in the resident's personal notebook
- Stop, cover the area, and report to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply antibiotic ointment from the supply cart and continue care
- Finish perineal care and mention it at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Stop, cover the area, and report to the nurse immediately
An open sore is an abnormal finding that must be reported to the nurse promptly; delaying increases infection and wound-worsening risk.
Question 3: How often should the water be changed during a complete bed bath?
- Only once — at the beginning and reused throughout
- When it becomes cool or visibly soiled — at minimum before perineal care (Correct answer)
- It does not need changing if the resident is not visibly dirty
- Every 15 minutes regardless of temperature or cleanliness
Correct answer: When it becomes cool or visibly soiled — at minimum before perineal care
Water must be changed when soiled or cool, and always before perineal care to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 4: A resident prefers to brush their own teeth but has limited hand strength. The BEST action by the CNA is to:
- Brush the resident's teeth for them to ensure thoroughness
- Set up supplies and provide a built-up handle toothbrush, assisting only as needed (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident they can brush later when feeling stronger
- Use a foam swab instead since it requires no hand strength
Correct answer: Set up supplies and provide a built-up handle toothbrush, assisting only as needed
Promoting independence by providing adaptive equipment supports dignity and function while ensuring oral hygiene is completed.
Question 5: The purpose of applying lotion to a resident's skin after bathing is to:
- Prevent odor from developing during the day
- Maintain skin moisture and reduce the risk of skin breakdown (Correct answer)
- Protect against infection by coating the skin
- Help the skin tan more evenly when near a window
Correct answer: Maintain skin moisture and reduce the risk of skin breakdown
Lotion restores moisture lost during bathing and helps keep skin supple, reducing the risk of cracks and pressure injury formation.
Question 6: When combing the hair of a resident with long tangled hair, the CNA should begin combing:
- At the scalp and comb downward in long strokes
- At the ends and work upward toward the scalp in small sections (Correct answer)
- By wetting all hair thoroughly with hot water first
- By sectioning the hair and pulling each section taut before combing
Correct answer: At the ends and work upward toward the scalp in small sections
Starting at the ends and working upward prevents pulling and pain caused by forcing a comb through tangles from the root.
Question 7: A resident tells the CNA they feel dizzy while sitting up for a shower. The CNA should:
- Encourage them to push through it since dizziness usually passes quickly
- Stop the shower, assist the resident to a safe position, and call for the nurse (Correct answer)
- Give the resident a glass of water and continue after a 2-minute rest
- Lean the resident back in the shower chair and finish quickly
Correct answer: Stop the shower, assist the resident to a safe position, and call for the nurse
Dizziness can indicate orthostatic hypotension or another medical concern; stopping and summoning the nurse is the safe, correct response.
CNA Personal Care Skills 1 5
A resident has a nasogastric (NG) tube in place.
When providing oral care, the CNA should: