CNA Practice Basic Nursing Skills Flashcards

A patient on a thickened-liquid diet asks for a glass of water. The CNA should:

Answer: Check with the nurse before giving unthickened liquids

Thickened-liquid diets are ordered for patients with dysphagia; any deviation — including plain water — requires the nurse's approval.

Which observation about a patient's urine should the CNA report to the nurse immediately?

Answer: Dark amber color with a strong, foul odor

Dark amber urine with foul odor may indicate dehydration or infection and requires prompt reporting to the nurse.

When assisting a patient who has a urinary catheter, the drainage bag should always be kept:

Answer: Below the level of the bladder to allow gravity drainage

The catheter drainage bag must always remain below bladder level so gravity promotes urine flow and prevents backflow contamination.

A patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days and reports feeling bloated. The CNA should:

Answer: Document the observation and report it to the nurse

Reporting constipation symptoms to the nurse allows for appropriate intervention; administering laxatives is outside the CNA's scope.

The most effective way for a CNA to break the chain of infection is:

Answer: Performing thorough hand hygiene before and after patient contact

Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to interrupt the transmission of infectious agents.

A patient in contact precautions for MRSA requires wound care. Before entering the room, the CNA must don PPE in which order?

Answer: Gown, mask/goggles, then gloves last

The correct donning order is gown, then mask/eye protection, then gloves so the gloves (most contaminated item) go on last and can be changed.

When measuring and recording urinary output, 1 fluid ounce is equivalent to approximately:

Answer: 30 mL

One fluid ounce equals approximately 30 mL, a conversion CNAs must know for accurate intake and output documentation.