CNA Practice Communication and Interpersonal 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 Communication and Interpersonal Skills flashcards as text
When communicating with a patient who has dementia, the CNA should:
Answer: Speak in short, simple sentences and use a calm, reassuring tone
Short, clear sentences and a calm tone reduce confusion and anxiety in dementia patients, promoting better comprehension and cooperation.
A confused patient with dementia insists it is 1985 and they need to go to work. The best CNA response is to:
Answer: Enter their reality gently and redirect to a calming activity
Validation and redirection, rather than repeated correction, reduces distress and agitation in dementia patients who cannot process reality orientation.
A terminally ill patient says, "I just want this to be over." The most appropriate CNA response is:
Answer: "I hear you. This must be very hard. I'm here with you."
Acknowledging the patient's emotional pain and offering compassionate presence validates their experience without dismissing feelings or rushing to fix them.
A patient who is visually impaired is being moved to a new room. The CNA should:
Answer: Announce your presence, explain every step of the move, and describe the new environment
Verbal orientation to the environment is essential for visually impaired patients to maintain safety, independence, and reduce anxiety during transitions.
A patient who was previously talkative has become withdrawn and stops participating in activities. The CNA should:
Answer: Document the behavioral change and report it to the charge nurse
Behavioral changes such as withdrawal can indicate depression, pain, or a medical change and must be documented and reported for further assessment.
Which of the following best supports therapeutic communication with a patient in pain?
Answer: Sit at eye level, acknowledge the pain, and ask what makes it better or worse
Positioning at eye level shows respect, acknowledging pain validates the patient's experience, and asking about modifying factors provides clinically useful information.
When a patient refuses a procedure, the CNA's primary responsibility is to:
Answer: Respect the refusal, do not force the procedure, and report the refusal to the nurse
Patients have the legal right to refuse care; the CNA must respect this decision, never force compliance, and immediately report the refusal to the charge nurse.