CNA Work Environment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CNA observes a colleague documenting care that was not actually provided. This is best described as:
- An honest mistake that can be corrected later
- Fraud and must be reported to the supervisor or charge nurse (Correct answer)
- A minor documentation error with no consequence
- Acceptable if the care will be given later
Correct answer: Fraud and must be reported to the supervisor or charge nurse
Documenting care that was not given is fraudulent and jeopardizes resident safety; CNAs are ethically and legally obligated to report it.
Question 2: To prevent musculoskeletal injuries, a CNA should use a gait belt when:
- Changing a resident's bed linens
- Assisting a resident who needs help with ambulation or transfers (Correct answer)
- Administering oral hygiene care
- Measuring a resident's vital signs
Correct answer: Assisting a resident who needs help with ambulation or transfers
A gait belt provides a secure grip during ambulation and transfers, reducing injury risk for both the resident and the CNA.
Question 3: What does the term 'chain of infection' refer to in the healthcare setting?
- The hierarchy of nursing staff responsible for infection control
- The sequence of elements required for an infection to spread (Correct answer)
- A policy for disposing of contaminated equipment
- The schedule for facility-wide disinfection
Correct answer: The sequence of elements required for an infection to spread
The chain of infection describes the six links—infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host—that must all be present for infection to occur.
Question 4: A resident reports that a CNA on the night shift has been speaking to them in a threatening manner. The CNA receiving this report should:
- Tell the resident the night-shift CNA is usually nice
- Document the complaint and report it to the charge nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Advise the resident to speak to the night-shift CNA directly
- Dismiss the complaint since the CNA didn't witness it
Correct answer: Document the complaint and report it to the charge nurse immediately
All reports of potential abuse or threatening behavior must be documented and reported immediately per mandatory reporting laws.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes horizontal violence in the workplace?
- A supervisor yelling at a subordinate CNA
- Bullying or hostile behavior between coworkers of the same level (Correct answer)
- Physical violence between a resident and a staff member
- A family member threatening nursing staff
Correct answer: Bullying or hostile behavior between coworkers of the same level
Horizontal violence (lateral violence) occurs between peers at the same hierarchical level and includes bullying, belittling, and sabotaging coworkers.
Question 6: In a long-term care facility, the purpose of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as it relates to the CNA's work is to:
- Track employee attendance and disciplinary records
- Provide a standardized assessment that guides each resident's care plan (Correct answer)
- Calculate the facility's Medicare reimbursement totals
- Document daily meal intake for dietary planning only
Correct answer: Provide a standardized assessment that guides each resident's care plan
The MDS is a federally mandated comprehensive assessment tool that informs individualized care planning for each resident in skilled nursing facilities.
Question 7: When a fire alarm sounds in the facility, CNAs should follow the RACE protocol. What does the 'C' in RACE stand for?
- Call 911 immediately
- Contain the fire by closing doors (Correct answer)
- Carry residents to the nearest exit
- Check for smoke before exiting
Correct answer: Contain the fire by closing doors
RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain (close doors to slow fire spread), and Extinguish/Evacuate; containing prevents fire from spreading through the facility.
CNA Work Environment 5
A CNA observes a colleague documenting care that was not actually provided.
This is best described as: