CNA Roles and Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident asks you to keep a secret about something they told you that concerns their health. What is the CNA's best response?
- Promise to keep the secret to maintain trust
- Explain that information affecting health or safety must be shared with the care team (Correct answer)
- Tell the charge nurse immediately without informing the resident
- Write it in the chart without discussing it further
Correct answer: Explain that information affecting health or safety must be shared with the care team
CNAs must report information that affects resident health or safety to the nurse, and should be honest with residents about this obligation.
Question 2: Which of the following tasks is within the CNA's scope of practice?
- Adjusting a resident's medication dose based on vital signs
- Inserting a urinary catheter
- Measuring and recording a resident's fluid intake and output (Correct answer)
- Interpreting laboratory results
Correct answer: Measuring and recording a resident's fluid intake and output
Measuring and recording intake and output is a basic CNA task, while catheter insertion, medication adjustments, and lab interpretation require a licensed nurse.
Question 3: A CNA notices a co-worker taking a resident's personal belongings. What should the CNA do?
- Confront the co-worker directly and demand the items be returned
- Ignore it to avoid conflict in the workplace
- Report the observation to the charge nurse or supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Tell other staff members about what was witnessed
Correct answer: Report the observation to the charge nurse or supervisor immediately
Theft of resident property is abuse and must be reported to the supervisor immediately per facility policy and state law.
Question 4: When a nurse delegates a task to a CNA, what does the nurse retain?
- No responsibility once the task is delegated
- Responsibility and accountability for the overall outcome (Correct answer)
- Responsibility only if the CNA makes an error
- Accountability only if the resident is harmed
Correct answer: Responsibility and accountability for the overall outcome
Delegation transfers performance of the task but the delegating nurse retains accountability and overall responsibility for the outcome.
Question 5: A resident's family member asks a CNA to share the resident's medical diagnosis. How should the CNA respond?
- Share the diagnosis since the family is involved in care
- Direct the family member to speak with the nurse or physician (Correct answer)
- Look up the chart and read the diagnosis to the family
- Decline and tell the family this information does not exist
Correct answer: Direct the family member to speak with the nurse or physician
Medical diagnoses and clinical information should be communicated by licensed staff; the CNA should refer family members to the nurse.
Question 6: Which action best demonstrates a CNA acting as a resident advocate?
- Deciding the best treatment plan for the resident
- Reporting a resident's complaint about pain to the nurse promptly (Correct answer)
- Allowing a resident to skip meals to maintain their preferred weight
- Agreeing with the family's decisions without consulting the resident
Correct answer: Reporting a resident's complaint about pain to the nurse promptly
Promptly reporting a resident's pain complaint ensures their needs are addressed, which is a key aspect of advocacy.
Question 7: A CNA is unsure how to perform a new procedure assigned by the nurse. What is the correct action?
- Attempt the procedure using best judgment
- Ask another CNA to demonstrate before proceeding
- Refuse the task without explanation
- Tell the nurse they are unsure and request instruction or supervision (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Tell the nurse they are unsure and request instruction or supervision
CNAs must communicate limitations and request guidance to ensure safe, competent care.
CNA Roles and Responsibilities 4
A resident asks you to keep a secret about something they told you that concerns their health.
What is the CNA's best response?