General CNA Practice Communication and Interpersonal Skills Questions and Answers

Question 1

A resident with expressive aphasia becomes frustrated while trying to communicate a need, pointing insistently at the water pitcher on their table. What is the CNA's most therapeutic response?

Accepted Answer

"Do you need a drink of water?"

Answer

"I'll come back in a few minutes when you can speak more clearly."

Answer

"You need to calm down first, then I can help you."

Answer

"Just try to say the word, I'm sure you can do it."

Question 2

Which of the following actions by a CNA best demonstrates positive and effective non-verbal communication when speaking with a resident who is sitting in a chair?

Accepted Answer

Sitting or squatting to be at the resident's eye level.

Answer

Standing over the resident with arms folded across the chest.

Answer

Avoiding eye contact to prevent making the resident feel pressured.

Answer

Tapping a pen on a clipboard while waiting for the resident to speak.

Question 3

The daughter of a resident is upset and tells the CNA, "You all are not taking good care of my father!" Which response best de-escalates the situation while remaining within the CNA's scope of practice?

Accepted Answer

"I understand you're concerned. Let me listen, and then I will get the nurse to speak with you."

Answer

"That's not true, we provide excellent care here."

Answer

"I'm sorry you feel that way, but we are very busy."

Answer

"You should file a formal complaint with the administrator."

Question 4

When documenting care in a resident's chart, which of the following statements is an example of objective information?

Accepted Answer

Skin tear noted on left forearm, 3 cm in length.

Answer

Resident reported feeling dizzy after standing up.

Answer

Resident appeared angry during lunch.

Answer

Resident's family was pleased with the care provided.

Question 5

When communicating with a resident who has a significant hearing impairment, which technique is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Facing the resident directly and speaking in a clear, lower-pitched voice.

Answer

Shouting the words so the resident can hear them better.

Answer

Speaking very quickly and directly into the resident's ear.

Answer

Exaggerating mouth movements to an extreme degree when speaking.

Question 6

A resident with dementia is pacing and repeatedly saying, "I need to go home now!" Which of the following is the most therapeutic response from the CNA?

Accepted Answer

"This is your home. Tell me about the house you grew up in."

Answer

"You cannot go home. You live in this facility now."

Answer

"Let's get a snack first, and then we can talk about going home."

Answer

"Why do you keep asking to go home? There's no reason to."

A resident with expressive aphasia becomes frustrated while trying to communicate a need, pointing insistently at the water pitcher on their table.What is the CNA's most therapeutic response?

A resident with expressive aphasia becomes frustrated while trying to communicate a need, pointing insistently at the water pitcher on their table.
What is the CNA's most therapeutic response?