CNA Supporting Rehabilitation Activities 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A speech therapist has placed a patient on thickened liquids. During mealtime, the CNA observes a family member giving the patient regular water. What should the CNA do?
- Allow it since family members know the patient best
- Stop the family member and explain the swallowing precautions (Correct answer)
- Document it later but say nothing to avoid conflict
- Remove all beverages from the room without explanation
Correct answer: Stop the family member and explain the swallowing precautions
Thickened liquids are prescribed to prevent aspiration; the CNA must immediately educate the family to protect the patient's safety.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a short-term rehabilitation goal appropriate for a CNA to reinforce?
- Designing a home modification plan for discharge
- Performing range-of-motion exercises as instructed by the PT (Correct answer)
- Ordering adaptive equipment for the patient's home
- Evaluating the patient's cognitive ability for driving
Correct answer: Performing range-of-motion exercises as instructed by the PT
CNAs reinforce ROM exercises and other functional tasks assigned by therapists as part of the daily care routine.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of using a transfer board (sliding board) during rehabilitation?
- To restrain patients during transport
- To assist patients with limited mobility transfer between surfaces with minimal lifting (Correct answer)
- To measure a patient's leg strength
- To prevent patients from getting out of bed unsupervised
Correct answer: To assist patients with limited mobility transfer between surfaces with minimal lifting
A transfer board allows patients with upper body strength but limited leg function to slide between surfaces safely with minimal assistance.
Question 4: A patient in rehab reports pain rated 7/10 before their scheduled ambulation session. What is the FIRST action the CNA should take?
- Proceed with ambulation as scheduled
- Cancel the session permanently
- Report the pain to the nurse before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Administer pain medication from the patient's bedside supply
Correct answer: Report the pain to the nurse before proceeding
Uncontrolled pain must be reported to the nurse, who can assess and medicate appropriately before rehabilitation activities proceed.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes the CNA's role when a physical therapist is not present during a shift?
- Develop new exercises for the patient
- Reinforce the therapy program as instructed and document performance (Correct answer)
- Skip all rehabilitation activities until the PT returns
- Independently increase the difficulty of exercises if the patient is ready
Correct answer: Reinforce the therapy program as instructed and document performance
CNAs reinforce and document the established plan of care; they do not modify or create new rehab activities independently.
Question 6: Which adaptive device is most commonly recommended by occupational therapists to help patients with limited hand grip eat independently?
- Weighted blanket
- Built-up handle utensils (Correct answer)
- Wrist restraints
- Gel cushion
Correct answer: Built-up handle utensils
Built-up handle utensils increase the grip diameter, making it easier for patients with weakness or arthritis to hold and use eating utensils.
Question 7: A patient who is recovering from a stroke has neglect on their left side. Which intervention should the CNA use to help the patient compensate?
- Place all items on the patient's right side only
- Place call light only on the right to ensure it is found
- Approach from the left and encourage scanning to the left side (Correct answer)
- Cover the left side of the patient's visual field with a patch
Correct answer: Approach from the left and encourage scanning to the left side
Encouraging patients with neglect to consciously scan to their affected side helps retrain awareness and compensation for the deficit.
CNA Supporting Rehabilitation Activities 5
A speech therapist has placed a patient on thickened liquids.
During mealtime, the CNA observes a family member giving the patient regular water.
What should the CNA do?