CNA Scope of Practice 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident in pain asks the CNA for an extra dose of pain medication. The CNA should:
- Retrieve the medication from the cart if the dosage seems safe
- Administer the medication and chart it for the nurse later
- Notify the nurse of the resident's pain complaint (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to wait until the next scheduled dose
Correct answer: Notify the nurse of the resident's pain complaint
CNAs do not administer medications; they must report pain concerns to the nurse so appropriate action can be taken.
Question 2: State nurse practice acts determine a CNA's scope of practice primarily by:
- The preferences of the facility's director of nursing
- Defining which tasks are authorized based on training and certification (Correct answer)
- The number of years of experience the CNA has
- What the charge nurse assigns on any given shift
Correct answer: Defining which tasks are authorized based on training and certification
Nurse practice acts are state laws that define what healthcare workers at each level are legally authorized to do.
Question 3: A CNA observes a resident's behavior has changed significantly since yesterday. The best action is to:
- Assume the resident is tired and continue care
- Document the observation and report it to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Ask another CNA for a second opinion before reporting
- Review the resident's chart to self-diagnose the cause
Correct answer: Document the observation and report it to the nurse
CNAs are trained to observe and report changes in resident condition; early reporting enables timely clinical intervention.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a CNA working within their scope of practice?
- Changing a central line dressing
- Performing a blood glucose finger stick per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Prescribing a special diet for a diabetic resident
- Starting an IV line for fluid replacement
Correct answer: Performing a blood glucose finger stick per facility policy
Some states and facilities allow CNAs to perform blood glucose testing after specific training; IV lines, central line dressings, and diet orders are outside CNA scope.
Question 5: When a nurse delegates a task to a CNA, the CNA is responsible for:
- Performing the task only if they agree it is appropriate
- Completing the task competently and reporting outcomes to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Documenting the delegation in the medical record
- Supervising other CNAs who assist with the task
Correct answer: Completing the task competently and reporting outcomes to the nurse
When a nurse delegates a task within the CNA's scope, the CNA is accountable for performing it correctly and communicating findings.
Question 6: A CNA suspects a resident is showing signs of a stroke. The immediate priority is to:
- Help the resident to bed and dim the lights
- Notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Wait 15 minutes to see if symptoms resolve
- Offer the resident water and monitor closely
Correct answer: Notify the nurse immediately
Stroke is a medical emergency; the CNA must alert the nurse immediately so emergency protocols can be activated.
Question 7: Which statement best describes the purpose of a CNA's scope of practice?
- To limit career advancement opportunities for nursing assistants
- To protect residents and ensure care is provided by appropriately trained personnel (Correct answer)
- To reduce the workload of licensed nurses
- To standardize pay rates across all nursing assistant positions
Correct answer: To protect residents and ensure care is provided by appropriately trained personnel
Scope of practice exists to safeguard residents by ensuring tasks are performed only by those with appropriate training and legal authorization.
CNA Scope of Practice 4
A resident in pain asks the CNA for an extra dose of pain medication.
The CNA should: