CNA Personal Care Skills 4 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When providing perineal care for a female resident, in which direction should the CNA wipe?
- Back to front
- Front to back (Correct answer)
- Side to side
- In circular motions
Correct answer: Front to back
Wiping front to back prevents bacteria from the anal area from contaminating the urethra or vagina.
Question 2: A resident has an indwelling urinary catheter. When providing catheter care, the CNA should clean the catheter tubing:
- From the insertion site outward away from the body (Correct answer)
- From the drainage bag toward the insertion site
- In a circular scrubbing motion around the tubing
- Only when visible soiling is present
Correct answer: From the insertion site outward away from the body
Cleaning from the insertion site outward prevents dragging bacteria toward the body.
Question 3: Which of the following is the BEST way to test water temperature before a resident's bath?
- Dip a finger briefly into the water
- Ask the resident if it feels comfortable
- Use a bath thermometer and confirm it is 105–110°F (41–43°C) (Correct answer)
- Let the water run until it feels warm to the wrist
Correct answer: Use a bath thermometer and confirm it is 105–110°F (41–43°C)
A bath thermometer provides an objective, accurate reading to prevent burns, especially for residents with reduced sensation.
Question 4: During a bed bath, the CNA notices a reddened area on the resident's coccyx. What is the PRIORITY action?
- Apply lotion and massage the area vigorously
- Continue the bath and document at the end of the shift
- Report the finding to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Cover with a bandage and proceed
Correct answer: Report the finding to the nurse immediately
A reddened area over a bony prominence is an early sign of a pressure injury and must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Question 5: When shampooing a bedridden resident's hair using a trough, the CNA should position the resident:
- Prone with a pillow under the chest
- Supine with the head near the top of the bed
- Supine with the head extended over the edge of the trough near the side of the bed (Correct answer)
- In a high Fowler's position
Correct answer: Supine with the head extended over the edge of the trough near the side of the bed
Positioning the head over the trough allows water to drain away from the face and body during a bed shampoo.
Question 6: A resident refuses to have her hair combed. The CNA's BEST response is to:
- Comb the hair anyway to maintain hygiene standards
- Document refusal, respect her right, and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member to convince her
- Skip hair care permanently
Correct answer: Document refusal, respect her right, and notify the nurse
Residents have the right to refuse care; the CNA must respect this, document it, and report to the nurse.
Question 7: When caring for a resident's fingernails, which action requires the CNA to consult the nurse FIRST?
- Filing nails smooth after trimming
- Cleaning under the nails with an orange stick
- Cutting the nails of a resident with diabetes (Correct answer)
- Soaking hands in warm water before nail care
Correct answer: Cutting the nails of a resident with diabetes
Diabetic residents have impaired circulation and healing; nail cutting requires a nurse's or podiatrist's assessment to prevent injury.
CNA Personal Care Skills 4 3
When providing perineal care for a female resident, in which direction should the CNA wipe?