General CNA Practice CNA Practice Basic Nursing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing passive range-of-motion exercises, the CNA should stop if the patient:
- Asks to rest for a moment
- Reports pain or discomfort during movement (Correct answer)
- Has not eaten in 2 hours
- Is wearing a hospital gown
Correct answer: Reports pain or discomfort during movement
Pain during range-of-motion exercises signals possible injury risk and the CNA must stop immediately and report it.
Question 2: A patient is placed in the Sims' position. Which body position does this describe?
- Lying on the back with head elevated 45 degrees
- Lying on the left side with upper knee bent forward (Correct answer)
- Sitting upright with legs dangling off the bed
- Lying face-down with arms at the sides
Correct answer: Lying on the left side with upper knee bent forward
The Sims' position places the patient on the left side with the upper knee flexed forward and is commonly used for enemas and rectal exams.
Question 3: To prevent footdrop in a bedridden patient, the CNA should:
- Keep the feet unsupported to allow free movement
- Apply a foot board or foot cradle to maintain dorsiflexion (Correct answer)
- Elevate the legs above heart level
- Massage the soles of the feet every hour
Correct answer: Apply a foot board or foot cradle to maintain dorsiflexion
A foot board keeps the feet in dorsiflexion, preventing the downward drop that leads to footdrop contracture.
Question 4: When using a gait belt to assist a patient to walk, the CNA should position the belt:
- Around the patient's chest under the arms
- Around the patient's waist over clothing (Correct answer)
- Around the patient's hips at the widest point
- Around the wrists for better control
Correct answer: Around the patient's waist over clothing
A gait belt is secured snugly around the patient's waist over clothing, allowing the CNA to grasp it firmly for safe ambulation.
Question 5: A patient has a left-sided weakness following a stroke. When assisting them to dress, the CNA should:
- Dress the strong right side first, then the weak left side
- Dress the weak left side first, then the strong right side (Correct answer)
- Have the patient dress only the strong side independently
- Ask the nurse to dress the patient instead
Correct answer: Dress the weak left side first, then the strong right side
When dressing a patient with weakness, dress the affected (weaker) side first so the limb doesn't have to be maneuvered around clothing.
Question 6: How often should a CNA reposition a bedbound patient to prevent pressure injuries?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 8 hours
- Once per shift
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every 2 hours is the standard to relieve pressure on bony prominences and prevent skin breakdown.
Question 7: When transferring a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, the wheelchair should be placed:
- Directly in front of the bed, facing the patient
- At a 45-degree angle to the bed on the patient's stronger side (Correct answer)
- At a 90-degree angle on the patient's weaker side
- Behind the bed so it doesn't block the path
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle to the bed on the patient's stronger side
Placing the wheelchair at a 45-degree angle on the stronger side gives the patient leverage to pivot safely with minimal steps.
General CNA Practice CNA Practice Basic Nursing Skills 2
When performing passive range-of-motion exercises, the CNA should stop if the patient: