CNA Using Adaptive Devices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident uses a weighted spoon during meals. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this adaptive device?
- To keep food warm longer
- To reduce tremor-related spilling by adding resistance (Correct answer)
- To measure portion sizes accurately
- To sterilize utensils before use
Correct answer: To reduce tremor-related spilling by adding resistance
Weighted utensils dampen the effect of hand tremors, helping residents with Parkinson's disease or other tremor conditions eat more independently.
Question 2: When assisting a resident with applying a sock aid, the CNA should first:
- Pull the sock over the resident's toes directly
- Thread the sock onto the sock aid device before handing it to the resident (Correct answer)
- Soak the resident's feet in warm water
- Apply lotion to the sock aid to reduce friction
Correct answer: Thread the sock onto the sock aid device before handing it to the resident
The sock must be threaded over the plastic or fabric cone of the sock aid before use so the resident can lower it to the floor and pull it onto their foot.
Question 3: A resident with hemiplegia uses a button hook. Which statement best describes how this device works?
- It cuts large buttons into smaller pieces for easier handling
- The wire loop hooks through the buttonhole to pull the button through with one hand (Correct answer)
- It attaches buttons with adhesive so they never need fastening
- It replaces buttons with magnetic closures automatically
Correct answer: The wire loop hooks through the buttonhole to pull the button through with one hand
A button hook's wire loop passes through the buttonhole, catches the button, and pulls it through, allowing one-handed dressing.
Question 4: Which type of cup is MOST appropriate for a resident who has difficulty tilting their head back to drink?
- A standard disposable paper cup
- A nosey cup (cutout cup) that allows drinking without neck extension (Correct answer)
- A covered sippy cup with a small straw
- A wide-mouth ceramic mug
Correct answer: A nosey cup (cutout cup) that allows drinking without neck extension
A nosey cup has a cutout for the nose so the resident can drink without tilting the head back, reducing aspiration risk.
Question 5: A resident's physician orders a long-handled shoehorn. This device is MOST beneficial for residents who:
- Have poor grip strength in both hands
- Cannot bend forward due to hip precautions or limited flexibility (Correct answer)
- Are visually impaired and cannot see their feet
- Have swollen feet requiring special orthotics
Correct answer: Cannot bend forward due to hip precautions or limited flexibility
A long-handled shoehorn allows the resident to guide the heel into a shoe without bending at the hip, which is critical after hip surgery.
Question 6: When a resident uses a universal cuff to hold a toothbrush, what is the CNA's PRIMARY role?
- Hold the toothbrush steady while the resident moves their head
- Secure the cuff to the resident's hand and monitor for skin irritation (Correct answer)
- Replace the cuff with a regular toothbrush after each use
- Squeeze toothpaste directly onto the resident's teeth
Correct answer: Secure the cuff to the resident's hand and monitor for skin irritation
The CNA secures the universal cuff properly and checks the skin under the cuff for pressure or irritation after each use.
Question 7: A resident using a reacher/grabber tool drops an item on the floor. The CNA should:
- Take the reacher and retrieve the item for the resident
- Encourage the resident to attempt retrieval with the reacher to promote independence (Correct answer)
- Instruct the resident never to use the reacher unsupervised
- Remove the reacher because dropping items is a safety hazard
Correct answer: Encourage the resident to attempt retrieval with the reacher to promote independence
Supporting independence is a core CNA principle; encouraging the resident to use the adaptive device as intended promotes self-care and dignity.
CNA Using Adaptive Devices 3
A resident uses a weighted spoon during meals.
What is the PRIMARY purpose of this adaptive device?