CNA Roles and Responsibilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident asks the CNA to keep a secret about something they disclosed. What is the most appropriate response?
- Promise to keep the secret no matter what
- Explain that some information must be reported to ensure safety (Correct answer)
- Immediately report everything to the charge nurse without responding to the resident
- Refuse to listen and leave the room
Correct answer: Explain that some information must be reported to ensure safety
CNAs must explain they cannot promise secrecy if the information involves safety or mandatory reporting obligations.
Question 2: Which action falls OUTSIDE the CNA's scope of practice?
- Reporting changes in a resident's condition to the nurse
- Administering oral medications to a resident (Correct answer)
- Assisting a resident with oral hygiene
- Measuring and recording a resident's intake and output
Correct answer: Administering oral medications to a resident
Administering medications is outside the CNA's scope of practice and is reserved for licensed nurses.
Question 3: When a CNA disagrees with a nurse's care decision, what is the best course of action?
- Ignore the decision and carry out care their own way
- Discuss the concern professionally with the nurse (Correct answer)
- Complain to the resident about the nurse's decision
- Refuse to provide any care until the issue is resolved
Correct answer: Discuss the concern professionally with the nurse
Professional communication with the supervising nurse is the appropriate way to address concerns about care decisions.
Question 4: A CNA notices a colleague verbally mistreating a resident. What should the CNA do first?
- Confront the colleague loudly in front of residents
- Do nothing to avoid conflict
- Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Discuss it with other coworkers at lunch
Correct answer: Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately
Suspected resident abuse or mistreatment must be reported immediately to a supervisor per mandatory reporting requirements.
Question 5: A resident's family member asks the CNA for a copy of the resident's medical records. What should the CNA do?
- Provide the records since the family has the right to know
- Explain that medical records requests must go through the appropriate facility process (Correct answer)
- Summarize the records verbally to the family member
- Deny any information exists about the resident
Correct answer: Explain that medical records requests must go through the appropriate facility process
Medical records requests must follow facility HIPAA-compliant procedures and are not handled directly by CNAs.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the CNA's role in a resident's care plan?
- Writing and updating the care plan independently
- Following and providing feedback on care plan goals through observation (Correct answer)
- Deciding which goals are appropriate for the resident
- Overriding care plan instructions when the CNA disagrees
Correct answer: Following and providing feedback on care plan goals through observation
CNAs implement care plan directives and report observations that may indicate needed changes, but do not write or alter the plan.
Question 7: A CNA is caring for a resident who suddenly becomes unresponsive. What is the FIRST action the CNA should take?
- Begin administering CPR immediately without notifying anyone
- Call for help and notify the nurse right away (Correct answer)
- Wait a few minutes to see if the resident recovers on their own
- Document the change and continue with other residents' care
Correct answer: Call for help and notify the nurse right away
The CNA must immediately call for help and notify the nurse so emergency response can begin promptly.
CNA Roles and Responsibilities 3
A resident asks the CNA to keep a secret about something they disclosed.
What is the most appropriate response?