CNA Skin Care and Pressure Injury Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most common site for pressure injuries in bedridden residents?
- Sacrum and coccyx (Correct answer)
- Shoulder blades
- Knees
- Elbows
Correct answer: Sacrum and coccyx
The sacrum and coccyx bear the most body weight in the supine position, making them the most vulnerable site for pressure injuries.
Question 2: How often should a bedridden resident typically be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
- Once per shift
- Every 4 to 6 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 30 minutes
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every 2 hours relieves sustained pressure and restores blood flow, preventing tissue breakdown.
Question 3: Which stage of pressure injury involves full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat but no exposed bone, tendon, or muscle?
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3 (Correct answer)
- Stage 4
Correct answer: Stage 3
Stage 3 pressure injuries involve full-thickness skin loss where fat may be visible, but deeper structures such as bone, tendon, and muscle remain covered.
Question 4: What does assessing skin turgor primarily help determine?
- Blood pressure levels
- Body temperature
- Presence of skin infection
- Hydration status (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hydration status
Skin turgor reflects tissue elasticity; slow return after pinching indicates dehydration, which increases skin breakdown risk.
Question 5: Which action BEST prevents skin breakdown in a resident who is incontinent?
- Applying powder to absorb moisture
- Using a moisture barrier cream only at night
- Changing briefs once per shift
- Cleaning and drying the skin promptly after each incontinent episode (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cleaning and drying the skin promptly after each incontinent episode
Promptly removing moisture and waste prevents prolonged skin exposure to irritants, which is the leading cause of incontinence-associated dermatitis.
Question 6: A reddened area over the coccyx that does not turn white when pressed indicates:
- A normal response to temporary pressure
- A superficial skin abrasion
- A Stage 2 pressure injury with skin breakdown
- A Stage 1 pressure injury (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A Stage 1 pressure injury
Non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence is the hallmark of a Stage 1 pressure injury, indicating early tissue damage without open skin.
Question 7: Which type of support surface is designed to redistribute pressure by cyclically changing contact areas beneath the resident?
- Firm foam mattress
- Standard hospital mattress
- Spring innerspring mattress
- Alternating pressure mattress (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Alternating pressure mattress
Alternating pressure mattresses inflate and deflate in cycles to continuously shift body weight, preventing prolonged pressure on any single area.
CNA Skin Care and Pressure Injury Prevention 1
What is the most common site for pressure injuries in bedridden residents?