Free CNA Patient Care Procedure Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the best way for a CNA to help prevent pressure ulcers in bedridden patients?
- Elevate the head of the bed for long periods
- Reposition the patient every 4 hours
- Reposition the patient every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Keep the patient in the same position to avoid discomfort
Correct answer: Reposition the patient every 2 hours
To prevent pressure ulcers, CNAs should reposition patients who are bedridden or have limited mobility at least every 2 hours. This helps to alleviate prolonged pressure on bony areas such as the tailbone, heels, and hips. Keeping patients in the same position increases the risk of skin breakdown and pressure sores.
Question 2: How should a CNA assist a patient with limited mobility out of bed and into a wheelchair?
- Use the patient’s arms to lift them
- Use a gait belt and assist the patient using proper body mechanics (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to stand on their own and support their weight
- Lift the patient by yourself if you are strong enough
Correct answer: Use a gait belt and assist the patient using proper body mechanics
When transferring a patient with limited mobility, a CNA should use a gait belt and proper body mechanics to safely assist the patient. The CNA should encourage the patient to participate as much as possible in the transfer. Never lift a patient by their arms or attempt to lift them alone, as this could cause injury to both the patient and the CNA.
Question 3: What should a CNA do if they notice that a patient is unable to swallow during feeding?
- Keep feeding the patient slowly
- Encourage the patient to take larger bites
- Stop feeding immediately and report the situation to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Provide water to help the patient swallow
Correct answer: Stop feeding immediately and report the situation to the nurse
If a patient shows signs of difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), the CNA should stop feeding immediately and report the issue to the nurse. Continuing to feed or giving water can increase the risk of aspiration, which can lead to choking or pneumonia. The nurse will assess the patient and decide on the next steps.
Question 4: When providing perineal care to a female patient, how should the CNA clean the area?
- Wipe from back to front
- Wipe in a circular motion
- Wipe from front to back (Correct answer)
- Wipe from side to side
Correct answer: Wipe from front to back
When performing perineal care for a female patient, the CNA should always wipe from front to back to prevent the spread of bacteria from the anal area to the urethra and vaginal area, which can cause infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Question 5: What is the best way for a CNA to assist a patient with oral care if the patient is unconscious?
- Brush the patient’s teeth with regular toothpaste
- Perform oral care with minimal fluid to avoid aspiration (Correct answer)
- Avoid oral care because the patient is unconscious
- Place the patient in a supine position for easier access
Correct answer: Perform oral care with minimal fluid to avoid aspiration
When performing oral care on an unconscious patient, CNAs should use minimal fluid and position the patient in a lateral (side-lying) position to prevent aspiration. Aspiration can occur when fluids enter the lungs, leading to serious complications like pneumonia. Oral care is still important for unconscious patients to maintain oral hygiene and comfort.
What is the best way for a CNA to help prevent pressure ulcers in bedridden patients?