CNA Personal Care Skills 4 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Before helping a client into a bath or shower, the nurse aide should FIRST

apply a moisturizer to prevent dry skin.
shampoo the client’s hair.
soak the client’s feet.
check the temperature of the water. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: check the temperature of the water.

Before helping a client into a bath or shower, the nurse aide must always check the temperature of the water first. This is a critical safety measure to prevent burns or discomfort for the client. The water should be warm but not too hot, typically between 105°F and 115°F (40.6°C to 46.1°C), depending on facility policy and client preference.

Question 2: Which action would help prevent skin breakdown around a stoma if the resident has a colostomy?

Apply baby lotion and talcum powder.
Clean the stoma with water and mild soap. (Correct answer)
Clean the stoma with alcohol.
Use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around the stoma site.

Correct answer: Clean the stoma with water and mild soap.

Cleaning the stoma with water and mild soap is the correct action because it gently removes waste and irritants without damaging the delicate skin. Unlike harsh chemicals like alcohol or occlusive substances like petroleum jelly, mild soap and water maintain skin integrity and prevent irritation that could lead to breakdown. This method ensures the area remains clean and healthy, promoting proper adhesion of ostomy appliances.

Question 3: A sitz bath is helpful

when residents refuse to take a shower.
when a patient has been sitting for too long.
after all surgical procedures.
after rectal surgery. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: after rectal surgery.

A sitz bath is specifically designed to provide therapeutic relief and promote healing in the perineal and anal areas. The warm water helps to increase blood flow, reduce pain, and soothe discomfort, making it particularly beneficial after rectal surgery, hemorrhoidectomies, or childbirth. It is not a general bath alternative or a treatment for prolonged sitting.

Question 4: Which will NOT prevent pressure sores?

massaging and rubbing the skin vigorously (Correct answer)
repositioning or turning every two (2) hours
applying lotion to dry skin
keeping bed linens clean, dry, and free of wrinkles

Correct answer: massaging and rubbing the skin vigorously

Vigorously massaging and rubbing the skin, especially over bony prominences, can actually damage fragile capillaries and underlying tissues, increasing the risk of pressure sore development. Instead, gentle massage around the area (not directly on reddened skin) may improve circulation. Effective pressure sore prevention focuses on relieving pressure, keeping skin clean and dry, and maintaining wrinkle-free linens.

Question 5: At supper, Mrs. Sparks needs feeding assist. Her diet is low Sodium, mechanical soft. Which food selection is appropriate?

Pizza and a tossed salad
Chicken broth and a bologna sandwich
Hot dog and potato chips
Mashed potatoes and a hamburger patty (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mashed potatoes and a hamburger patty

The resident requires a low sodium, mechanical soft diet. Mashed potatoes are naturally soft and can be prepared with low sodium. A hamburger patty, when cooked tender and without high-sodium seasonings, also fits the mechanical soft and low sodium criteria. The other options like pizza, bologna, hot dogs, and potato chips are typically high in sodium and/or not mechanically soft.

Question 6: Right before dinner a client is incontinent of urine. The nurse aide SHOULD

take the client to the dinner table and clean up after dinner.
do a quick change and then clean the client after dinner.
clean the client and take to dinner as soon as possible. (Correct answer)
insist that the client eat dinner in their room.

Correct answer: clean the client and take to dinner as soon as possible.

Maintaining a client's dignity, comfort, and hygiene is a top priority. If a client is incontinent before dinner, the nurse aide should clean them promptly to prevent skin irritation and discomfort. Delaying care is unacceptable and can lead to skin breakdown and embarrassment, so cleaning the client as soon as possible allows them to enjoy dinner in a clean and comfortable state.

Question 7: When a client has left-sided weakness, what part of a sweater is put on first?

Left sleeve (Correct answer)
Right sleeve
Both sleeves
Client’s choice

Correct answer: Left sleeve

When dressing a client with unilateral weakness, the general principle is to dress the weaker side first. This technique allows for easier manipulation of the garment over the affected limb and minimizes discomfort or strain. By putting the left sleeve on first, the stronger right side can then assist in pulling the rest of the sweater into place.

Question 8: When assisting a resident with a weak left side from a wheelchair, the nurse aide should support the client’s

back side
weak side (Correct answer)
strong side
front side

Correct answer: weak side

When assisting a resident with unilateral weakness during a transfer, the nurse aide should stand on and support the client's weak side. This provides crucial stability and prevents the weak side from collapsing or giving way, ensuring the resident's safety throughout the transfer. Supporting the weak side allows the resident to use their stronger side to bear weight and assist with the movement.

Question 9: When transferring a heavy resident from the bed to a wheelchair for the first time

one person should be enough to transfer the resident.
tell the resident they are too heavy for you to transfer.
teach the resident to do the transfer alone.
the aide should review the care plan or check with the nurse. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: the aide should review the care plan or check with the nurse.

Before transferring a heavy resident for the first time, especially if the aide is unsure of the best approach or the resident's specific needs, it is crucial to consult the care plan or check with the nurse. This ensures that the appropriate transfer technique, necessary equipment (like a lift), and adequate staffing are utilized, prioritizing the safety of both the resident and the aide and preventing injury.

Question 10: When a patient is receiving nasogastric (NG) tube feeding, what should the nursing assistant do?

Keep the head of the bed flat
Provide no mouth care until it is removed
Report any signs of choking or vomiting immediately (Correct answer)
All of the above

Correct answer: Report any signs of choking or vomiting immediately

When a patient is receiving nasogastric (NG) tube feeding, it is critical to monitor for and immediately report any signs of choking or vomiting. These symptoms can indicate complications such as aspiration (food entering the lungs) or intolerance to the feeding, which require immediate nursing intervention to prevent serious health risks. Keeping the head of the bed elevated and providing mouth care are also important, but reporting acute distress is paramount.

Question 11: A contracture is caused by

Loss of memory about exercise
Excessive aerobic exercise
Chronic lack of exercise (Correct answer)
Localized pressure on the muscle

Correct answer: Chronic lack of exercise

A contracture is a permanent shortening of a muscle or joint, leading to a loss of range of motion and often deformity. This condition is primarily caused by a chronic lack of movement or exercise, which allows muscles to shorten and connective tissues to stiffen over time. Regular mobilization and range of motion exercises are essential to prevent contractures.

Question 12: To clean a resident's eyeglasses, what should you do?

Clean the glasses with warm water. (Correct answer)
Dry the lens with an abrasive cloth.
Use liquid soap that contains lotion.
Allow the eyeglasses to air dry.

Correct answer: Clean the glasses with warm water.

Cleaning eyeglasses with warm water is the safest and most effective method to remove dirt and smudges without scratching the lenses. Using abrasive cloths can damage the lens coating, liquid soaps with lotion can leave residue, and air drying can result in water spots. A gentle rinse with warm water followed by drying with a soft, clean cloth is recommended.

Question 13: Mr. Mac begins to fall as you are ambulating him. The first thing you do is

Call for help
Lower him to the floor (Correct answer)
Take him back to his room
Try to hold him up

Correct answer: Lower him to the floor

If a resident begins to fall during ambulation, the immediate and safest action is to gently lower them to the floor. Attempting to hold them up can result in injury to both the resident and the aide due to the sudden shift in weight and loss of balance. Guiding them down in a controlled manner minimizes the impact and reduces the risk of serious injury, after which help can be called.

Question 14: When the nurse aide gives evening care to a client with a full set of dentures, proper procedure requires that the dentures be placed

in a tissue on the client's bedside stand.
under the client’s pillow.
in a denture cup with the client’s name on it. (Correct answer)
in the client’s bathroom on the sink.

Correct answer: in a denture cup with the client’s name on it.

Proper denture care requires storing them in a clean, labeled denture cup, typically filled with water or a denture cleaning solution, when not in use. This prevents the dentures from drying out, becoming warped, damaged, or lost. Placing them in tissue, under a pillow, or on a sink is unsanitary and risks damage or misplacement.

Question 15: The female perineum should be cleansed

from front to back. (Correct answer)
from back to front.
without soap.
with a disinfectant.

Correct answer: from front to back.

When cleansing the female perineum, it is essential to wipe from front to back (from the urethra towards the anus). This technique prevents the transfer of bacteria from the anal area to the urethra and vagina, significantly reducing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other infections. This is a fundamental principle of infection control.

Question 16: Water for the resident’s bath should be

100 degrees F (Correct answer)
90 degrees F
160 degrees F
75 degrees F

Correct answer: 100 degrees F

The recommended water temperature for a resident's bath is typically around 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8-40.6 degrees Celsius). This temperature is warm enough to be comfortable and promote relaxation without being too hot to cause burns or discomfort, especially for individuals with sensitive skin or impaired sensation. Always check the temperature with a thermometer or the inside of your wrist.

CNA Personal Care Skills 4

Before helping a client into a bath or shower, the nurse aide should FIRST