CNA Toileting and Elimination 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dementia frequently removes her brief and becomes agitated during toileting. The best approach is to:
- Restrain her hands during the toileting process
- Use a calm voice, simple instructions, and offer praise after each step (Correct answer)
- Complete the task as quickly as possible without speaking
- Document the behavior and skip the toileting routine
Correct answer: Use a calm voice, simple instructions, and offer praise after each step
Residents with dementia respond best to calm, simple communication and positive reinforcement during personal care tasks.
Question 2: When documenting bowel movements for a resident, which information is most important to include?
- The resident's mood during elimination
- Frequency, amount, color, and consistency (Correct answer)
- The time the CNA assisted and how long it took
- Whether the resident needed encouragement
Correct answer: Frequency, amount, color, and consistency
Accurate documentation of bowel characteristics (frequency, amount, color, consistency) alerts the care team to potential health problems.
Question 3: A resident's urinary drainage bag is nearly full 3 hours after it was last emptied. The CNA should:
- Wait until the end of the shift to empty it as scheduled
- Empty the bag, measure and record the output, and report the high volume to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Clamp the tubing to slow urine production
- Raise the drainage bag to slow the flow
Correct answer: Empty the bag, measure and record the output, and report the high volume to the nurse
A rapidly filling drainage bag may indicate a urinary issue; prompt emptying with measurement and reporting alerts the nurse to abnormal output.
Question 4: To reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection in a catheterized resident, the CNA should perform perineal care:
- Once a week during the regular bath
- Once daily and after each bowel movement (Correct answer)
- Only when the resident requests it
- Every shift using hydrogen peroxide solution
Correct answer: Once daily and after each bowel movement
Daily perineal care and care after bowel movements reduces the risk of bacteria traveling up the catheter into the bladder.
Question 5: A resident reports feeling an urgent need to urinate but cannot reach the call light. When the CNA arrives, the resident has already had an incontinent episode. The CNA's first priority is to:
- Express disappointment to motivate the resident to call sooner next time
- Reassure the resident, clean and dry the skin, and change linens promptly (Correct answer)
- Document the incident before providing care
- Ask the nurse to place a catheter to prevent future episodes
Correct answer: Reassure the resident, clean and dry the skin, and change linens promptly
Preserving the resident's dignity and preventing skin breakdown from moisture are the immediate care priorities after an incontinence episode.
Question 6: Which observation about a resident's urine should be reported to the nurse immediately?
- Urine that is pale yellow and clear
- Urine that is dark amber after low fluid intake
- Urine with a strong odor, cloudy appearance, and visible sediment (Correct answer)
- Slightly stronger odor in the morning than during the day
Correct answer: Urine with a strong odor, cloudy appearance, and visible sediment
Cloudy urine with sediment and strong odor may indicate a urinary tract infection and requires immediate nursing assessment.
Question 7: A resident undergoing bowel retraining should be encouraged to drink how much fluid daily, unless restricted by the physician?
- 500–800 mL (about 2 cups)
- 1,000–1,500 mL (about 4–6 cups)
- 2,000–3,000 mL (about 8–12 cups) (Correct answer)
- Only enough to satisfy thirst
Correct answer: 2,000–3,000 mL (about 8–12 cups)
Adequate hydration (2,000–3,000 mL/day unless restricted) softens stool and supports normal bowel function during retraining.
CNA Toileting and Elimination 5
A resident with dementia frequently removes her brief and becomes agitated during toileting.
The best approach is to: