Free CNA Emergency Procedure Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first action a CNA should take if they find an unresponsive patient?
- Call for help and check for breathing (Correct answer)
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Administer oxygen if available
- Shake the patient to wake them
Correct answer: Call for help and check for breathing
If a patient is unresponsive, the CNA should immediately call for help and check for signs of breathing and a pulse. After assessing the situation, if the patient is not breathing, the CNA should initiate CPR following the facility's emergency protocols. Shaking the patient or delaying the assessment could worsen the situation.
Question 2: A patient starts choking during mealtime. What should the CNA do first?
- Perform a blind finger sweep to clear the airway
- Encourage the patient to cough forcefully (Correct answer)
- Begin abdominal thrusts immediately
- Lay the patient down and call the nurse
Correct answer: Encourage the patient to cough forcefully
If a patient is choking but still able to cough, the CNA should encourage them to cough forcefully to try and clear the airway. If the patient cannot cough, speak, or breathe, abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) should be performed. A blind finger sweep should never be done as it can push the object further into the airway.
Question 3: A fire breaks out in a patient’s room. What is the CNA's first responsibility?
- Grab the nearest fire extinguisher
- Evacuate the patient to a safe area (Correct answer)
- Call the fire department
- Attempt to put out the fire with water
Correct answer: Evacuate the patient to a safe area
In case of a fire, the primary responsibility of the CNA is the safety of the patients. The CNA should follow the R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) protocol: first rescue the patient, then activate the alarm, confine the fire by closing doors, and, if possible, extinguish the fire. Safety and evacuation should always come first.
Question 4: A patient with diabetes suddenly becomes weak, confused, and shaky. What should the CNA do?
- Call for emergency assistance immediately
- Provide the patient with water
- Give the patient a small amount of sugar, like juice or candy (Correct answer)
- Administer insulin to the patient
Correct answer: Give the patient a small amount of sugar, like juice or candy
These symptoms suggest that the patient may be experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The CNA should provide a fast-acting source of sugar, like juice, candy, or glucose tablets, and notify the nurse immediately. Insulin is only administered under a nurse’s direction and would worsen hypoglycemia in this case.
Question 5: What should a CNA do first if a patient falls while trying to get out of bed?
- Help the patient back into bed
- Call for assistance and stay with the patient (Correct answer)
- Pick the patient up off the floor immediately
- Leave the patient to get the nurse
Correct answer: Call for assistance and stay with the patient
If a patient falls, the CNA should not attempt to move them without assistance, as this could cause further injury. The CNA should stay with the patient to ensure their safety, call for help, and observe for any injuries. The nurse will assess the patient and determine the appropriate action based on the patient’s condition.
Free CNA Emergency Procedure Questions and Answers 1
What is the first action a CNA should take if they find an unresponsive patient?