CNA Personal Care Skills 5 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dysphagia is receiving oral care. The CNA should position the resident:
- Upright at 90 degrees or as high as possible (Correct answer)
- Flat on their back for comfort
- On their side with head slightly lowered
- Reclined at 30 degrees
Correct answer: Upright at 90 degrees or as high as possible
An upright position uses gravity to reduce aspiration risk during oral care for residents with swallowing difficulties.
Question 2: How often should a bedbound resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
- At least every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 4 hours during the day only
- Once per shift
- Only when they request it
Correct answer: At least every 2 hours
Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves sustained pressure on bony prominences and prevents skin breakdown.
Question 3: When assisting a resident with a shower, water temperature should be checked using:
- A thermometer or the inside of the CNA's wrist, ideally 105°F or below (Correct answer)
- The resident's hand to let them test it first
- A visual check of steam level
- The resident's foot since feet are most sensitive
Correct answer: A thermometer or the inside of the CNA's wrist, ideally 105°F or below
Water temperature should be tested with a thermometer or inner wrist and kept at or below 105°F to prevent burns.
Question 4: A resident with a left-sided weakness needs help putting on a shirt. The CNA should:
- Dress the weak left arm first, then the strong right arm (Correct answer)
- Dress the strong right arm first for easier management
- Have the resident attempt dressing independently without assistance
- Use adaptive equipment only and avoid touching the resident
Correct answer: Dress the weak left arm first, then the strong right arm
The weak side is dressed first so the garment can be eased over without full range of motion.
Question 5: The purpose of a restorative nursing approach to personal care is to:
- Encourage residents to perform as much self-care as possible (Correct answer)
- Perform all care tasks for the resident to save time
- Focus only on medical treatments and defer personal care
- Provide care only when the resident specifically requests it
Correct answer: Encourage residents to perform as much self-care as possible
Restorative care promotes independence and maintains function by encouraging residents to participate in their own care.
Question 6: When observing a resident's skin during morning care, which finding must be reported immediately?
- A reddened area over the coccyx that does not blanch when pressed (Correct answer)
- Dry skin on the lower legs
- A small bruise from a known bump yesterday
- Mild scalp flakiness
Correct answer: A reddened area over the coccyx that does not blanch when pressed
Non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence indicates a Stage 1 pressure injury requiring immediate nursing assessment.
Question 7: When helping a resident brush their teeth, the CNA should:
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush with gentle circular motions at the gum line (Correct answer)
- Brush with firm pressure and horizontal strokes for effectiveness
- Apply toothpaste generously and brush rapidly
- Skip the gum line to avoid causing bleeding
Correct answer: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush with gentle circular motions at the gum line
A soft brush with gentle circular motions at the gum line effectively cleans teeth without damaging gum tissue.
CNA Personal Care Skills 5 4
A resident with dysphagia is receiving oral care.
The CNA should position the resident: