GNA - Geriatric Nursing Assistant Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A GNA discovers a small fire contained in a trash can in a resident's empty bathroom. After rescuing the resident from the room and activating the alarm, what is the next step according to the RACE fire safety protocol?
- A. Evacuate the entire wing immediately.
- B. Search for other residents to rescue.
- C. Confine the fire by closing the bathroom and room doors. (Correct answer)
- D. Yell 'fire' repeatedly in the hallway.
Correct answer: C. Confine the fire by closing the bathroom and room doors.
The acronym RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Extinguish/Evacuate. After ensuring the resident is safe (Rescue) and activating the alarm (Alarm), the next critical step is to Confine the fire by closing doors to prevent it from spreading.
Question 2: While assisting in the dining room, a GNA observes a resident who is conscious, clutching their throat with both hands, and unable to cough or speak. Which of the following is the GNA's immediate priority?
- A. Offer the resident a glass of water.
- B. Begin performing abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). (Correct answer)
- C. Leave the resident to immediately find the charge nurse.
- D. Perform a blind finger sweep of the resident's mouth.
Correct answer: B. Begin performing abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
The resident is displaying the universal sign for a severe airway obstruction. The correct and immediate response is to perform abdominal thrusts to dislodge the object. Giving water could worsen the situation, leaving the resident is dangerous, and a blind finger sweep could push the object further down.
Question 3: A GNA is with a resident who suddenly loses consciousness, falls to the floor, and begins to convulse with rigid, jerking motions. Which action is most appropriate for the GNA to take to ensure the resident's safety?
- A. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck and place a soft item under the head. (Correct answer)
- B. Attempt to insert a padded tongue blade into the resident's mouth.
- C. Firmly hold the resident's arms and legs to stop the jerking movements.
- D. Immediately begin chest compressions and rescue breaths.
Correct answer: A. Loosen any tight clothing around the neck and place a soft item under the head.
During a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure, the priority is to protect the person from injury. Loosening restrictive clothing and cushioning the head are essential safety measures. Nothing should ever be placed in the mouth, and restraining the person can cause musculoskeletal injury. CPR is not indicated unless the person stops breathing after the seizure has ended.
Question 4: A GNA is speaking with a resident who suddenly develops a facial droop on one side, slurred speech, and weakness in their right arm. The GNA should recognize these as signs of what potential medical emergency?
- A. A heart attack
- B. A seizure
- C. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- D. A stroke (CVA) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: D. A stroke (CVA)
Facial drooping, Arm weakness, and Speech difficulty are classic signs of a stroke, often remembered by the acronym FAST. Recognizing these signs and immediately notifying the nurse is critical for the resident to receive timely, life-saving treatment.
Question 5: When operating a fire extinguisher to combat a small fire, the GNA should follow the PASS acronym. The 'A' in PASS stands for:
- A. Activate the building's main fire alarm.
- B. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. (Correct answer)
- C. Assess the situation before acting.
- D. Aim the nozzle at the top of the flames.
Correct answer: B. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
The PASS acronym for using a fire extinguisher stands for: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Aiming at the base is crucial to extinguish the fuel source.
Question 6: A GNA enters a room and finds a resident unresponsive, without a pulse, and not breathing. The GNA is aware the resident has a valid "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order. What is the GNA's most appropriate action?
- A. Begin chest compressions immediately and call for help.
- B. Position the resident comfortably and wait for a family member to arrive.
- C. Immediately notify the charge nurse of the findings without initiating CPR. (Correct answer)
- D. Leave the room to find the resident's chart to re-verify the DNR order.
Correct answer: C. Immediately notify the charge nurse of the findings without initiating CPR.
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a legal medical directive that must be honored. The GNA's responsibility is to confirm the absence of vital signs and immediately alert the licensed nurse. Initiating CPR would violate the resident's end-of-life wishes. The GNA should act on their knowledge of the code status and notify the nurse, who will then follow facility protocol.
