CNA Skills and Competencies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises, the CNA should move each joint:
- As far as the resident can tolerate, even if it causes mild pain
- Only to the point of slight resistance without forcing the movement (Correct answer)
- Through the full range until the resident asks to stop
- Rapidly to complete the exercises efficiently
Correct answer: Only to the point of slight resistance without forcing the movement
PROM exercises should be performed slowly and gently, stopping at the point of slight resistance to avoid injury.
Question 2: A resident's IV line infiltrates. The CNA notices swelling and coolness at the insertion site. The FIRST action is to:
- Apply a warm compress to the site
- Slow the IV infusion rate
- Report the finding to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Remove the IV catheter
Correct answer: Report the finding to the nurse immediately
Infiltration is a nurse-level concern requiring immediate reporting; CNAs do not manage IV lines independently.
Question 3: Which technique is CORRECT when assisting a resident with a mechanical soft diet?
- Blend all foods into a smooth puree before serving
- Ensure foods are finely chopped or mashed but retain some texture (Correct answer)
- Serve only liquids to prevent choking
- Allow the resident to eat the same food as the general diet
Correct answer: Ensure foods are finely chopped or mashed but retain some texture
A mechanical soft diet consists of foods that are finely chopped, ground, or mashed to reduce chewing difficulty while maintaining some texture.
Question 4: When providing perineal care for a female resident, the CNA should cleanse:
- From back to front using one stroke per wipe
- From front to back using a clean area of cloth for each stroke (Correct answer)
- In a circular motion starting from the outer labia
- Only the external meatus to reduce infection risk
Correct answer: From front to back using a clean area of cloth for each stroke
Front-to-back cleansing prevents introducing rectal bacteria into the urethra, reducing urinary tract infection risk.
Question 5: A CNA is caring for a resident on contact precautions. After completing care, the CNA should remove PPE in which order?
- Gloves, gown, mask, hand hygiene (Correct answer)
- Mask, gloves, gown, hand hygiene
- Gown, gloves, mask, hand hygiene
- Gloves, goggles, gown, mask, hand hygiene
Correct answer: Gloves, gown, mask, hand hygiene
CDC guidelines specify removing gloves first, then gown, then mask/respirator, followed by hand hygiene to prevent self-contamination.
Question 6: The appropriate cuff size for blood pressure measurement should:
- Cover the entire upper arm from shoulder to elbow
- Have a bladder width that is 40% of the arm circumference (Correct answer)
- Always be a standard adult size regardless of arm girth
- Be slightly small to obtain an accurate reading
Correct answer: Have a bladder width that is 40% of the arm circumference
An appropriately sized BP cuff bladder should encircle at least 80% of arm circumference and have a width of about 40% of arm circumference.
Question 7: When applying antiembolism (TED) stockings, the CNA should:
- Apply them when the resident is sitting upright after morning ambulation
- Apply them while the resident is still in bed before rising (Correct answer)
- Apply only to the affected leg in unilateral conditions
- Remove them only at bedtime for a minimum of 8 hours
Correct answer: Apply them while the resident is still in bed before rising
TED stockings must be applied before the resident gets up so venous blood does not pool in the legs before compression is applied.
CNA Skills and Competencies 3
When performing passive range-of-motion (PROM) exercises, the CNA should move each joint: