CNA Practice Basic Nursing Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real General practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 CNA Practice Basic Nursing Skills flashcards as text
When measuring an oral temperature with a glass thermometer, the CNA should wait how long after the patient has had a hot or cold beverage?
Answer: 15 minutes
Waiting 15 minutes after oral intake ensures the beverage temperature no longer affects the reading.
A patient's radial pulse is irregular. The CNA's best action is to:
Answer: Count it for a full 60 seconds and report the irregularity to the nurse
An irregular pulse must be counted for a full minute for accuracy, and the nurse must be notified of the irregularity.
Normal resting respiratory rate for an adult is:
Answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12–20 breaths per minute; values outside this range should be reported.
Which site is considered the MOST accurate for measuring core body temperature?
Answer: Rectal
Rectal temperature is closest to the body's core temperature and is considered the gold standard for accuracy.
A patient's blood pressure reads 158/96 mmHg. The CNA should:
Answer: Recheck it in the other arm and report the finding to the nurse promptly
An elevated reading should be verified in the other arm and reported to the nurse — a CNA never administers medications.
When counting a patient's respirations, the CNA should:
Answer: Count without informing the patient, often while appearing to take the pulse
Patients alter their breathing pattern when they know it is being observed, so CNAs typically count respirations inconspicuously.
Pain is often called the 'fifth vital sign.' When a patient reports pain, the CNA should:
Answer: Assess pain on a 0–10 scale, document it, and report to the nurse
CNAs assess and report pain using a numeric scale; administering any medication is outside their scope of practice.