General CNA Practice CNA Practice Safety and Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which intervention is most appropriate for a CNA to implement for a patient identified as a high fall risk?
- Apply soft wrist restraints during nighttime hours
- Ensure the call light is always within the patient's reach (Correct answer)
- Raise all four side rails to prevent the patient from getting up
- Restrict the patient to complete bed rest
Correct answer: Ensure the call light is always within the patient's reach
Keeping the call light accessible allows patients to request assistance, reducing the likelihood of unsafe independent attempts to get up.
Question 2: Before a CNA applies a physical restraint to a patient, what must first be in place?
- Apply the restraint first and then notify the nurse afterward
- A physician's order verified and authorized by the nurse (Correct answer)
- The patient's verbal consent alone
- A 30-minute trial period with close monitoring
Correct answer: A physician's order verified and authorized by the nurse
Restraints are a last resort and require a physician's order; they can only be applied after less restrictive measures have been attempted and failed.
Question 3: How frequently must a CNA monitor and reposition a patient who is in physical restraints?
- Every 4 hours as part of routine care
- Every 2 hours during standard checks
- At least every 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Once per shift unless a problem is noted
Correct answer: At least every 30 minutes
Restrained patients must be checked at minimum every 30 minutes for circulation, skin integrity, positioning, and comfort.
Question 4: Which type of knot must be used to secure a restraint so it can be released quickly in an emergency?
- Square knot tied twice for security
- Double slip knot used in bedding
- Half-bow (quick-release) knot (Correct answer)
- Figure-eight knot for durability
Correct answer: Half-bow (quick-release) knot
A quick-release (half-bow) knot allows the restraint to be freed immediately in an emergency without requiring scissors or tools.
Question 5: A patient's room is cluttered with personal items on the floor. Why is this a safety concern?
- It increases the risk of spreading infection to staff
- It creates tripping hazards that increase the risk of falls and injuries (Correct answer)
- It interferes with medical equipment function
- It violates HIPAA privacy regulations
Correct answer: It creates tripping hazards that increase the risk of falls and injuries
Floor clutter creates tripping hazards that significantly increase fall risk for both patients and healthcare workers.
Question 6: Providing a patient with non-slip footwear is an example of which type of safety intervention?
- A chemical restraint measure
- An environmental safety modification (Correct answer)
- A physical restraint approach
- A pharmaceutical fall prevention strategy
Correct answer: An environmental safety modification
Non-slip footwear modifies what the patient uses and is classified as an environmental modification that reduces fall risk without restricting freedom.
Question 7: A CNA discovers a large wet area on the floor near a patient's bed. What is the priority action?
- Document the hazard in the patient's chart immediately
- Clean and dry the area immediately or place a wet floor warning sign (Correct answer)
- Notify housekeeping and wait for their response
- Transfer the patient to a different room
Correct answer: Clean and dry the area immediately or place a wet floor warning sign
A wet floor is an immediate fall hazard that must be corrected or marked before someone is injured — safety action precedes documentation.
General CNA Practice CNA Practice Safety and Emergency Procedures 3
Which intervention is most appropriate for a CNA to implement for a patient identified as a high fall risk?