CNA Supporting Rehabilitation Activities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient in rehabilitation becomes frustrated and says 'I'll never be able to do this myself.' What is the best CNA response?
- Complete the task for them to save time
- Acknowledge their feelings and encourage small progress (Correct answer)
- Tell them to stop complaining and try harder
- Report the patient as non-compliant to the charge nurse
Correct answer: Acknowledge their feelings and encourage small progress
Acknowledging feelings validates the patient's emotions while encouragement supports motivation and continued participation in rehab.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'restorative care'?
- Care provided only by physical therapists
- Maintenance of function and prevention of decline after rehab goals are met (Correct answer)
- Emergency care given after a patient falls
- Care focused solely on pain management
Correct answer: Maintenance of function and prevention of decline after rehab goals are met
Restorative care maintains the highest level of function possible after formal rehabilitation therapy has ended.
Question 3: When assisting a patient with a gait belt during ambulation, where should the CNA position themselves?
- Directly in front of the patient
- Behind and slightly to one side of the patient (Correct answer)
- Beside the patient on the stronger side
- Behind the patient at arm's length
Correct answer: Behind and slightly to one side of the patient
Standing behind and slightly to one side allows the CNA to support the patient and react quickly if they begin to fall.
Question 4: A patient with hemiplegia is relearning to dress independently. The CNA should dress which side first?
- The stronger (unaffected) side first
- The weaker (affected) side first (Correct answer)
- Either side, it does not matter
- The right side always, regardless of which is affected
Correct answer: The weaker (affected) side first
Dressing the weaker (affected) side first makes it easier to maneuver clothing over limited range-of-motion limbs.
Question 5: During rehabilitation, the interdisciplinary team approach means the CNA should:
- Only take direction from the physician
- Work independently without communicating with therapists
- Collaborate and share observations with all team members (Correct answer)
- Leave all decisions to the occupational therapist
Correct answer: Collaborate and share observations with all team members
CNAs are key members of the rehab team and must communicate observations and reinforce goals set by all disciplines.
Question 6: A patient is using a quad cane for the first time after a hip replacement. The CNA notices the patient is holding the cane on the wrong side. What should the CNA do?
- Ignore it since the patient will figure it out
- Gently correct the patient and remind them it goes on the stronger side (Correct answer)
- Remove the cane and assist the patient without it
- Immediately call a code
Correct answer: Gently correct the patient and remind them it goes on the stronger side
A cane should be held on the stronger side to support the weaker side; correcting this prevents falls and promotes proper gait.
Question 7: Which behavior by a CNA MOST supports a patient's rehabilitation goals?
- Doing tasks for the patient quickly to stay on schedule
- Waiting patiently while the patient attempts tasks independently (Correct answer)
- Discouraging difficult tasks to prevent frustration
- Limiting activity to protect the patient from injury
Correct answer: Waiting patiently while the patient attempts tasks independently
Allowing patients to attempt tasks independently fosters self-reliance and builds functional ability, which is central to rehabilitation.
CNA Supporting Rehabilitation Activities 4
A patient in rehabilitation becomes frustrated and says 'I'll never be able to do this myself.' What is the best CNA response?