Free CNA-Aide Nutrition and Hydration Management Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident is on a "low-sodium" diet. Which food item should the CNA question if it appears on the resident's meal tray?
- A baked potato
- A fresh apple
- A cup of canned soup (Correct answer)
- A grilled chicken breast
Correct answer: A cup of canned soup
Canned and processed foods, especially soups, are often very high in sodium for preservation and flavor. The CNA should recognize this potential error and report it to the nurse before serving the meal.
Question 2: When assisting a resident who has dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the CNA should:
- Encourage the resident to drink thin liquids like water through a straw.
- Position the resident in an upright, 90-degree angle during and after the meal. (Correct answer)
- Offer large bites of food to speed up the meal.
- Allow the resident to lie down immediately after eating.
Correct answer: Position the resident in an upright, 90-degree angle during and after the meal.
Sitting upright (in a Fowler's or High-Fowler's position) uses gravity to help food and liquid travel down the esophagus and reduces the risk of it entering the airway (aspiration). Residents should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after eating.
Question 3: Which of the following is a common sign of dehydration in an elderly resident?
- Increased urine output
- Pale, moist skin
- Confusion or dizziness (Correct answer)
- Swelling in the ankles
Correct answer: Confusion or dizziness
Dehydration reduces blood volume and can affect brain function, leading to confusion, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Other signs include dark urine, dry mouth, and poor skin turgor.
Question 4: A resident's care plan states "NPO." This means the CNA should:
- Offer fluids every hour.
- Provide only soft foods.
- Give the resident nothing by mouth. (Correct answer)
- Record all food and fluid intake.
Correct answer: Give the resident nothing by mouth.
NPO is an abbreviation for the Latin term "nil per os," which means "nothing by mouth." This medical order means the resident cannot have any food, fluids, or even ice chips.
Question 5: To encourage a resident to drink more fluids, the nurse aide should:
- Only offer water, as it is the healthiest option.
- Wait for the resident to ask for a drink.
- Offer small amounts of fluids the resident likes frequently throughout the day. (Correct answer)
- Fill a large pitcher and tell the resident to finish it by the end of the day.
Correct answer: Offer small amounts of fluids the resident likes frequently throughout the day.
Proactively offering small amounts of preferred beverages between meals is an effective strategy. This makes the goal of hydration seem more manageable and respects the resident's preferences, increasing the likelihood they will drink.
Question 6: When recording a resident's fluid intake, what should the CNA measure?
- Only water and juice.
- Only fluids consumed during meals.
- All liquids the resident drinks, including soup, gelatin, and ice cream. (Correct answer)
- An estimate of what the resident drank.
Correct answer: All liquids the resident drinks, including soup, gelatin, and ice cream.
Fluid intake includes all liquids a person consumes. This also includes foods that are liquid at room or body temperature, such as ice cream, gelatin (Jell-O), popsicles, and broth-based soups.
Free CNA-Aide Nutrition and Hydration Management Questions and Answers 1
A resident is on a "low-sodium" diet.
Which food item should the CNA question if it appears on the resident's meal tray?