Personal Care Skills Flashcards

Before feeding a resident, what is the best reason to wash the resident's hands?

Answer: The resident may still touch his/her mouth or food.

Washing a resident's hands before a meal is a critical infection control measure. Even if the resident is being fed, they may still touch their mouth, face, or the food itself. Handwashing removes germs, preventing their transfer from the resident's hands to their mouth or food, thereby significantly reducing the risk of illness and infection.

Gloves should be worn for which of the following procedures?

Answer: Emptying a urinary drainage bag

Gloves should always be worn when there is a potential for contact with body fluids, secretions, excretions, or contaminated items, as per standard precautions. Emptying a urinary drainage bag involves direct contact with urine, which is a body fluid, making glove use essential to prevent the spread of microorganisms and protect the healthcare worker from potential pathogens.

When walking a resident, a gait or transfer belt is often:

Answer: Put around the resident's waist to provide a way to hold onto the resident.

A gait or transfer belt is a safety device specifically designed to be placed around a resident's waist, over their clothing. It provides a secure and firm grasp for the nurse aide, allowing them to safely support and stabilize the resident during transfers or ambulation. This helps prevent falls and allows the aide to assist without pulling on the resident's arms or clothing.

When providing foot care to a resident it is important for the nurse aide to:

Answer: Check the feet for skin breakdown

When providing foot care, especially for residents with conditions like diabetes or circulatory issues, it is paramount for the nurse aide to thoroughly inspect the feet for any signs of skin breakdown. Early detection of redness, sores, blisters, or other abnormalities can prevent serious complications such as infections or ulcers. Removing calluses or applying lotion between toes are generally not within an STNA's scope or recommended practice.

When feeding a resident, frequent coughing can be a sign that the resident is:

Answer: Having difficulty swallowing

Frequent coughing during feeding is a primary indicator of dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. This reflex occurs when food or liquid accidentally enters the trachea (windpipe) instead of the esophagus, triggering the body's attempt to prevent aspiration. It's a critical sign that requires immediate attention and often a swallowing evaluation to prevent serious complications like aspiration pneumonia.

When a resident refuses a bedbath, the nurse aide should:

Answer: Wait a while and then ask the resident again.

Residents have the right to refuse care, and their autonomy must be respected. If a resident initially refuses a bedbath, waiting a while and then gently asking again allows for a potential change in their mood or readiness. This approach maintains their dignity and provides an opportunity for them to accept care later without feeling coerced.

When giving a back rub, the nurse aide should:

Answer: Keep the resident covered as much as possible.

Maintaining a resident's privacy and dignity is paramount during personal care procedures like a back rub. Keeping the resident covered as much as possible, exposing only the area being massaged, ensures comfort and respect. This practice also helps keep the resident warm and prevents unnecessary embarrassment.

Which of the following is true about caring for a resident who wears a hearing aid?

Answer: Remove the hearing aid before showering.

Hearing aids are sensitive electronic devices that can be severely damaged by water. Removing them before showering, bathing, or swimming is essential to protect them from moisture. This preventative measure ensures the device's proper function and longevity, allowing the resident to continue hearing effectively.

Residents with Parkinson's disease often require assistance with walking because they:

Answer: Have a shuffling walk and tremors.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, which often manifest as a shuffling gait. This distinctive walking pattern, combined with tremors and impaired balance, significantly increases the risk of falls. Therefore, residents with Parkinson's frequently require assistance with walking to ensure their safety and mobility.

A resident who is inactive is at the risk of constipation. In addition to increased activity and exercise, which of the following actions helps to prevent constipation?

Answer: Adequate fluid intake

Adequate fluid intake is crucial for preventing constipation because water helps soften stool and adds bulk, making it easier to pass through the digestive system. Dehydration can lead to hard, dry stools, exacerbating constipation. Combined with increased activity and a high-fiber diet, proper hydration is a cornerstone of maintaining bowel regularity.

When cleansing the genital area during perineal care, the nurse aide should:

Answer: Replace the foreskin when pushed back to cleanse an uncircumcised penis.

When providing perineal care for an uncircumcised male, the foreskin must be gently retracted to ensure thorough cleaning of the glans. After cleaning, it is absolutely critical to return the foreskin to its natural position. Failure to do so can lead to paraphimosis, a painful and serious condition where the retracted foreskin becomes trapped and restricts blood flow.