Free STNA Personal Care Skills Test 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The doctor has told the resident that his cancer is growing and that he is dying. When the resident tells the nurse aide that there is a mistake, the nurse aide should:
- Understand that denial is a normal reaction. (Correct answer)
- Remind the resident the doctor would not lie.
- Suggest the resident ask for more tests.
- Ask if the resident is afraid of dying.
Correct answer: Understand that denial is a normal reaction.
Denial is one of the five stages of grief and is a common initial reaction when facing a terminal diagnosis. It serves as a psychological defense mechanism to cope with overwhelming news. The nurse aide should recognize this as a normal part of the grieving process and offer supportive presence without challenging the resident's current state of mind.
Question 2: When responding to a client on the intercom you should:
- Ask for the client's name.
- Say, "What do you want?"
- Give your name and position and say “May I help you?" (Correct answer)
- Say, "The nurse will answer your call."
Correct answer: Give your name and position and say “May I help you?"
When responding to a client on the intercom, it is professional and reassuring to identify yourself and your role, then offer assistance. This provides clarity, establishes trust, and ensures the client knows who they are speaking with and that their needs will be addressed promptly and respectfully.
Question 3: Which of the following things should you do to familiarize a new client with his or her surroundings?
- Show the client where the call light is and how to work it. (Correct answer)
- Tell the client not to operate the TV.
- Ask visitors to leave the room while you finish admitting the client.
- Raise the side rails of the bed and raise the bed to a high position.
Correct answer: Show the client where the call light is and how to work it.
Familiarizing a new client with their surroundings, especially showing them where the call light is and how to operate it, is paramount for their safety and sense of security. Knowing how to use the call light empowers them to summon help when needed, which is a fundamental aspect of client care and safety in a healthcare setting.
Question 4: When assisting a client in and out of bed, the nurse aide should always:
- Employ body mechanic techniques. (Correct answer)
- Get another person to help.
- Pull the client's fee out first, and then lift the back up.
- Put shoes on the client because the patient may slip
Correct answer: Employ body mechanic techniques.
Proper body mechanics are essential for nurse aides to prevent injury to themselves and the resident when assisting with transfers. Using correct posture, lifting with legs, and keeping the resident close to the body minimizes strain and ensures a safe and efficient move. This protects both the caregiver and the patient from potential harm.
Question 5: Which of the following is the correct procedure for serving a meal to a client who must be fed?
- Serve the tray along with all the other trays, and then come back to feed the client
- Bring the tray to the client last; feed after you have served all other clients
- Bring the tray into the room when you are ready to feed the client (Correct answer)
- Have the kitchen hold the tray for one hour
Correct answer: Bring the tray into the room when you are ready to feed the client
For a client who needs to be fed, bringing the tray into the room only when the nurse aide is ready to feed them ensures the food remains at the appropriate temperature and is served fresh. This practice prevents the client from waiting unnecessarily or the food getting cold, promoting a more pleasant and nutritious meal experience.
Question 6: An immobile patient is susceptible to all of the following alterations EXCEPT:
- Respiratory infections
- Blood clots
- An increased appetite (Correct answer)
- Bedsores
Correct answer: An increased appetite
Immobility typically leads to a decrease in metabolic rate and physical activity, which often results in a decreased appetite, not an increased one. Conversely, immobility significantly increases the risk for respiratory infections due to poor lung expansion, blood clots due to venous stasis, and bedsores due to prolonged pressure on the skin.
Question 7: Which of the following options BEST identifies what a nursing assistant should do after feeding a dysphagic patient?
- Give the patient a bath
- Swab out the patient’s mouth and position the patient on his or her infected side
- Keep the patient upright for at least 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Position the patient on his or her back and check his or her injuries
Correct answer: Keep the patient upright for at least 30 minutes
After feeding a dysphagic patient (one with difficulty swallowing), it is crucial to keep them in an upright position for at least 30 minutes. This helps gravity assist the food in moving down the esophagus and significantly reduces the risk of aspiration, where food enters the airway. Aspiration can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia.
Question 8: Which of the following options is FALSE in regards to feeding a patient?
- Allow the patient time to swallow before offering another bite
- Record the amount of food that the patient consumed using a percentage
- Feed the patient while they are in a sitting position
- Use a fork to feed the patient (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Use a fork to feed the patient
Using a fork to feed a patient is generally considered unsafe, especially for those with swallowing difficulties or impaired motor skills. Forks can be sharp and pose a risk of injury to the mouth or throat, or increase the risk of choking. STNAs should typically use a spoon for feeding to ensure patient safety and better control of food portions.
Question 9: You can promote sleep for your patients by all of the following actions EXCEPT:
- Change the patient’s routine on a daily basis (Correct answer)
- Decrease noise and confusion in the patient’s environment
- Provide the patient with positioning devices to enhance his or her comfort
- Provide emotional support when patients are experiencing pain
Correct answer: Change the patient’s routine on a daily basis
Changing a patient's routine on a daily basis disrupts their natural sleep-wake cycle and can make it harder for them to fall asleep. To promote sleep, STNAs should aim to establish a consistent daily routine, including regular bedtimes and wake times. A predictable environment and routine help regulate the body's circadian rhythm, which is essential for restful sleep.
Question 10: Which of the following options is NOT an age-related condition that all residents must adapt to?
- Inability to learn new skills (Correct answer)
- Reduced ability to feel pain
- Varying sleep habits
- Reduced ability to see
Correct answer: Inability to learn new skills
The inability to learn new skills is a false statement regarding age-related conditions. While the speed of learning may change, older adults retain the capacity to learn throughout their lives, often benefiting from different teaching methods or more time. Other options like reduced pain sensation, varying sleep habits, and reduced vision are common physiological changes associated with aging, but the ability to learn is not inherently lost.
Question 11: You’ve asked a patient about their pain but have received a lengthy response without an answer. You then state “Describe for me your hip pain.” <br><br> This statement demonstrates what aspect of communication?
- Focusing (Correct answer)
- Clarifying
- Silence
- Repeating
Correct answer: Focusing
When a patient gives a lengthy, unhelpful response, stating "Describe for me your hip pain" is an example of focusing. This communication technique helps to narrow the conversation to a specific, relevant topic. It guides the patient to provide more precise and useful information, preventing them from straying off-topic and ensuring the nurse aide gathers the necessary details.
Free STNA Personal Care Skills Test 3
The doctor has told the resident that his cancer is growing and that he is dying.
When the resident tells the nurse aide that there is a mistake, the nurse aide should: