STNA Personal Care and Hygiene 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which observation should the nurse aide report immediately while giving a patient a bath?
- The patient's skin feels slightly dry
- A new reddened area over a bony prominence (Correct answer)
- The patient requests a different soap
- The water cools slightly during the bath
Correct answer: A new reddened area over a bony prominence
A new reddened area over a bony prominence may indicate the early stage of a pressure injury and must be reported promptly.
Question 2: When trimming or filing a diabetic patient's nails, the nurse aide should:
- File straight across and report any abnormalities to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Cut nails in a curved shape close to the skin
- Soak feet first then cut nails deeply at the corners
- Perform nail care only when ordered by family
Correct answer: File straight across and report any abnormalities to the nurse
Diabetic patients have poor circulation and healing; the nurse aide should file straight across and always report foot abnormalities to the nurse for professional evaluation.
Question 3: After applying lotion to a patient's skin, what should the nurse aide avoid?
- Rubbing the lotion in gently
- Applying lotion between the toes (Correct answer)
- Leaving excess lotion on the skin surface
- Warming the lotion in hands before applying
Correct answer: Applying lotion between the toes
Lotion between the toes traps moisture and promotes fungal growth and skin breakdown, especially in patients with diabetes.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of providing range-of-motion exercises during personal care?
- To entertain the patient during bathing
- To maintain joint flexibility and prevent contractures (Correct answer)
- To assess the patient's pain tolerance
- To substitute for repositioning
Correct answer: To maintain joint flexibility and prevent contractures
Passive and active range-of-motion exercises preserve joint mobility and prevent the stiffening contractures that result from immobility.
Question 5: When shaving a male patient with a safety razor, the nurse aide should shave in which direction?
- Against the direction of hair growth only
- In the direction of hair growth (Correct answer)
- In a circular motion regardless of hair direction
- Alternating directions with each stroke
Correct answer: In the direction of hair growth
Shaving in the direction of hair growth reduces skin irritation, razor burn, and the risk of cuts or ingrown hairs.
Question 6: A patient has a hearing aid. When performing morning care, the nurse aide should:
- Remove the hearing aid and store it away from the patient
- Leave the hearing aid in place during all water-based care
- Remove the hearing aid before bathing and replace it after drying the ear (Correct answer)
- Clean the hearing aid with running water
Correct answer: Remove the hearing aid before bathing and replace it after drying the ear
Hearing aids must be removed before water-based care to prevent moisture damage and should be replaced after the ear is thoroughly dry.
STNA Personal Care and Hygiene 2
Which observation should the nurse aide report immediately while giving a patient a bath?