Free STNA MCQ Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is TRUE regarding a patient requesting that you pray with them?
- It is never acceptable to discuss your religious beliefs with patients.
- You must lead patients in prayer to help them feel more at ease.
- You may accompany a patient as they pray, but you must not participate in the prayer.
- It is permissible to pray with patients, but it is not required. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It is permissible to pray with patients, but it is not required.
It is permissible for a nursing assistant to pray with a patient if the patient initiates the request and the assistant feels comfortable doing so. This can provide comfort and spiritual support, which is part of holistic patient care. However, it is never required, and the assistant should always respect their own beliefs and professional boundaries.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST represents what you should do if a patient starts to fall during ambulation?
- Spread your feet apart and bend your knees to assist in lowering the patient to the ground. (Correct answer)
- Hold onto the gait-transfer belt to prevent the patient from falling.
- Call the patient's nurse right away for assistance with the patient.
- Allow the patient to fall to the floor freely.
Correct answer: Spread your feet apart and bend your knees to assist in lowering the patient to the ground.
If a patient starts to fall, the safest action is to use good body mechanics to assist in lowering them gently to the ground. Spreading your feet apart and bending your knees allows you to control the descent, protecting the patient's head and minimizing injury to both the patient and yourself. Attempting to prevent the fall entirely can result in greater injury.
Question 3: Whenever you wash your hands and remove the soap from them, you should always:
- Use a linen towel.
- Make use of cold water.
- Turn off the water using your left hand.
- Keep your fingers lower than your wrist. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Keep your fingers lower than your wrist.
When rinsing hands, keeping your fingers lower than your wrist ensures that water and contaminants flow downwards, away from the cleanest areas. This technique prevents contaminated water from running back up the arms and re-contaminating the hands, maintaining proper hand hygiene.
Question 4: What should you do as soon as the patient's buttocks are exposed in order to obtain their rectal temperature?
- To expose the patient's anus, use your dominant hand.
- After removing the thermometer pack from its charger, attach the rectal probe to the thermometer. (Correct answer)
- Use a tissue to lubricate the probe.
- Instruct the patient to relax and take deep breaths.
Correct answer: After removing the thermometer pack from its charger, attach the rectal probe to the thermometer.
After ensuring the patient's privacy and exposing the area, the immediate next step is to prepare the equipment for the procedure. This involves attaching the rectal probe to the thermometer, ensuring it is ready for lubrication and insertion. This sequence ensures efficiency and proper setup before proceeding with the temperature measurement.
Question 5: When taking a patient's blood pressure, where should the stethoscope diaphragm's bell be placed?
- Over the femoral artery
- Over the fibular artery
- Over the cystic artery
- Over the brachial artery (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Over the brachial artery
When taking a patient's blood pressure, the stethoscope diaphragm or bell should be placed directly over the brachial artery. This artery, located in the antecubital fossa of the upper arm, is where the Korotkoff sounds are best heard, allowing for accurate measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Question 6: What should you do first when providing a person with a partial bed bath?
- The patient's hands and arms should be washed with a small amount of soap.
- Make sure the water is at a temperature that is both comfortable and safe. (Correct answer)
- Put a towel under the patient to protect the bedding.
- Wash the resident's face with a washcloth without soap.
Correct answer: Make sure the water is at a temperature that is both comfortable and safe.
Before beginning any bathing procedure, the first and most crucial step is to ensure the water temperature is both comfortable and safe for the patient. This prevents burns or discomfort, promotes patient cooperation, and ensures their overall well-being. All subsequent steps follow this initial safety check.
Question 7: Which of the following does not indicate that a patient with hypoglycemia is experiencing excessive blood sugar levels?
- Clammy skin
- A sluggish mood (Correct answer)
- Shallow respirations
- Rapid pulse
Correct answer: A sluggish mood
A sluggish mood is a classic symptom of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which is the opposite of excessive blood sugar. When a patient with hypoglycemia exhibits this symptom, it directly indicates their current low blood sugar state. Therefore, a sluggish mood does not suggest or 'indicate' that the patient is experiencing high or excessive blood sugar levels.
Question 8: One of your patients has a depression diagnosis. He admits to you that he has considered suicide while you are monitoring his vital signs. Which of the above statements BEST describes what you ought to do?
- Promise the patient that you will keep his secret.
- Ensure the privacy of the depressed patient's thoughts.
- Inform his nurse of his suicide thoughts. (Correct answer)
- Talk with the patient about his motivations for considering suicide.
Correct answer: Inform his nurse of his suicide thoughts.
Any mention of suicidal thoughts by a patient is a medical emergency and must be reported immediately to the supervising nurse. As an STNA, you are not equipped to handle such a crisis independently, and ensuring patient safety requires prompt intervention from qualified nursing staff or mental health professionals. Maintaining confidentiality in this situation would put the patient at severe risk.
Question 9: Recently, the analgesic dosage for one of your terminally sick patients was raised. Which of the following BEST sums up what you ought to do?
- Track the patient's state of alertness for any changes. (Correct answer)
- Inform the patient's nurse right away.
- Every two hours, check the patient's vital signs.
- Give the patient more food or liquids
Correct answer: Track the patient's state of alertness for any changes.
When an analgesic dosage is increased, especially in terminally ill patients, it is crucial to monitor for changes in the patient's level of consciousness and alertness. Increased medication can lead to sedation, respiratory depression, or other adverse effects. Tracking alertness helps assess the medication's impact, ensuring patient comfort and safety.
Question 10: The nurse locked the patient in the closet for two hours because she couldn't keep her quiet at dinner. Which of the above statements BEST describes this action?
- False imprisonment
- Invasion of privacy
- Involuntary seclusion (Correct answer)
- Neglect
Correct answer: Involuntary seclusion
Locking a patient in a closet against their will is an act of involuntary seclusion. This is a severe form of abuse and a direct violation of patient rights, depriving them of their freedom and dignity. Such actions are unethical, illegal, and strictly prohibited in healthcare settings.
Question 11: When a nursing assistant accepts a new task without complaint, which of the following personal attributes is exhibited?
- Self-responsibility
- Accountability
- Flexibility (Correct answer)
- Being considerate
Correct answer: Flexibility
Accepting new tasks without complaint demonstrates flexibility, a highly valued personal attribute in healthcare. It shows a willingness to adapt to changing demands, learn new skills, and contribute to the team's needs. This adaptability is essential for effective patient care and maintaining a positive work environment.
Free STNA MCQ Questions and Answers
Which of the following is TRUE regarding a patient requesting that you pray with them?