CNA Positioning and Transfer Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct placement for a gait belt on a resident?
- Over bare skin at the waist
- Over clothing at the waist, snug but allowing two fingers underneath (Correct answer)
- Around the chest just under the armpits
- Around the hips below the waist
Correct answer: Over clothing at the waist, snug but allowing two fingers underneath
The gait belt is applied over clothing at the waist, snug enough to hold but with two fingers of slack to avoid injury.
Question 2: A resident is in the Fowler's position. Which condition is this position MOST commonly used to help?
- Preventing hip contractures
- Relieving respiratory distress (Correct answer)
- Preventing pressure injury to heels
- Reducing leg edema
Correct answer: Relieving respiratory distress
Fowler's position (head of bed elevated 45–90°) expands lung capacity and eases breathing for residents with respiratory problems.
Question 3: When moving a resident up in bed using a drawsheet, staff should pull the sheet:
- On the count of one, without warning the resident
- On an agreed signal, simultaneously, using a smooth motion (Correct answer)
- One person at a time to maintain control
- Only after raising the head of the bed to 90 degrees
Correct answer: On an agreed signal, simultaneously, using a smooth motion
Coordinated simultaneous movement prevents twisting forces on the resident's spine and protects staff from strain.
Question 4: After completing a transfer, the CNA notes the resident's call light is out of reach. What should the CNA do?
- Leave and document that the resident seemed comfortable
- Place the call light within the resident's reach before leaving (Correct answer)
- Tell the charge nurse so she can place it
- Ask the resident to call out verbally if needed
Correct answer: Place the call light within the resident's reach before leaving
Ensuring the call light is within reach is a required safety step after every transfer or repositioning.
Question 5: Which position places a resident flat on their back with no elevation?
- Fowler's
- Trendelenburg
- Supine (Correct answer)
- Prone
Correct answer: Supine
The supine position is lying flat on the back with the face upward and the body horizontal.
Question 6: When transferring a resident who has one leg that is non-weight-bearing, the CNA should pivot the transfer so that the resident bears weight on:
- The non-weight-bearing leg
- The stronger, weight-bearing leg (Correct answer)
- Both legs equally
- Neither leg — a lift must always be used
Correct answer: The stronger, weight-bearing leg
The pivot must allow the resident to push off and land on the unaffected, weight-bearing leg to prevent injury.
Question 7: Which early sign should alert the CNA to stop a transfer immediately?
- The resident says they feel a little nervous
- The resident becomes pale, sweaty, or complains of dizziness (Correct answer)
- The resident's grip feels weak
- The transfer is taking longer than two minutes
Correct answer: The resident becomes pale, sweaty, or complains of dizziness
Pallor, diaphoresis, or dizziness may signal orthostatic hypotension or another acute problem requiring the CNA to stop and get help.
CNA Positioning and Transfer Techniques 3
What is the correct placement for a gait belt on a resident?