Mixed Deck — All STNA Topics Flashcards

Due to ethnic, racial, and cultural factors, which of the following groups is LESS likely to be diagnosed with diabetes?

Answer: White Americans

Statistical data consistently shows that certain ethnic and racial groups, including Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans, have a significantly higher prevalence and incidence of diabetes compared to White Americans. These disparities are attributed to a complex interplay of genetic predispositions, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, and access to healthcare. Therefore, White Americans are less likely to be diagnosed with diabetes among the options provided.

When responding to a client on the intercom you should:

Answer: Give your name and position and say “May I help you?"

When responding to a client on the intercom, it is professional and reassuring to identify yourself and your role, then offer assistance. This provides clarity, establishes trust, and ensures the client knows who they are speaking with and that their needs will be addressed promptly and respectfully.

When arranging a patient's room, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:

Answer: Administer medications

Administering medications is a task that falls outside the scope of practice for a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA). This responsibility requires specialized training, assessment skills, and licensure held by registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs). STNAs focus on direct patient care, comfort, and safety, which includes checking signal cords, adjusting bed positions, and ensuring adequate lighting, but not medication administration.

An agitated resident must be turned every two hours all night long. The first action of the nurse aide when waking up this resident is to:

Answer: Speak quietly and calmly.

When waking an agitated resident, a calm and quiet approach is crucial to avoid startling or further distressing them. Speaking gently helps to orient the resident and reduces the likelihood of an escalated agitated response. This promotes a sense of safety and minimizes confusion.

All long-term-care nurse aides must be competency evaluated and must complete a distinct education course, These requirements are set by:

Answer: OBRA

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 established federal standards for nursing home care, including comprehensive requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation. These regulations were put in place to improve the quality of care provided to residents in long-term care facilities.

A resident asks the nursing assistant to keep a secret about abuse from another staff member. What should the CNA do?

Answer: Report the abuse immediately as a mandatory reporter

CNAs are mandatory reporters and must immediately report all suspected or disclosed abuse, regardless of confidentiality requests.

Which of the following statements is true about residents who are restrained?

Answer: They are at a greater risk of developing pressure sores.

Residents who are restrained are at a significantly higher risk of developing pressure sores. Restraints restrict movement, leading to prolonged pressure on specific body areas and impaired circulation. This lack of repositioning and reduced blood flow increases the likelihood of skin breakdown and the formation of pressure ulcers.

You are told to put a client in Fowler's position. Before changing the position of the client's bed you should:

Answer: Explain the procedure to the client

Before performing any procedure, including changing a client's position, it is a fundamental principle of patient care to explain what you are going to do. This practice respects the client's autonomy, helps them understand the procedure, reduces anxiety, and encourages cooperation. It ensures informed consent and builds trust between the caregiver and the client.

A resident gets dressed and comes out of his room wearing shoes that are from two different pairs. The nurse aide should:

Answer: Ask if the resident realizes that the shoes do not match.

The most respectful and appropriate response is to gently inquire if the resident is aware of the mismatch in their shoes. This approach maintains the resident's dignity, allows them to correct the error if they are capable, and provides an opportunity for the nurse aide to offer assistance without causing embarrassment or making the resident feel incompetent.

While flossing the client's teeth, which motion is incorrect?

Answer: For each tooth, use a fresh piece of floss.

It is not required to floss every tooth with a fresh piece of floss. Take an eighteen-inch length of floss out of the dispenser; this will cover every tooth. After flossing every other tooth, simply move on to a new section of floss. The other options are the proper flossing techniques.

Which of the following is the correct method for measuring a patient's radial pulse?

Answer: Use the index and middle fingers to press lightly on the patient's wrist and count the beats for one full minute.

To accurately measure a radial pulse, the nurse aide should use the pads of their index and middle fingers (not the thumb, which has its own pulse) to lightly press on the radial artery on the patient's wrist. Counting the beats for a full minute provides the most accurate reading, especially if the pulse is irregular, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of heart rate.

When a sink has hand-control faucets, the nurse aide should use:

Answer: A paper towel to turn the water off.

When using hand-control faucets, a nurse aide should use a paper towel to turn the water off after washing hands. This prevents recontamination of clean hands from the faucet handles, which are considered dirty. This practice is essential for maintaining proper hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection.

An adult patient’s heart rate is regular and 85 bpm. What action should the nursing assistant take?

Answer: Document the vital sign

An adult heart rate of 85 beats per minute (bpm) is considered within the normal range, which typically falls between 60 and 100 bpm. Since the pulse is regular and within normal limits, the appropriate action for the nursing assistant is to accurately document this vital sign. There is no immediate need to report it to the nurse or doctor unless other concerning symptoms are present or it deviates significantly from the patient's baseline.

Which of the following is a job task performed by the nurse aide?

Answer: Participating in resident care planning conferences.

Nurse aides are vital members of the healthcare team and their observations about a resident's daily needs, preferences, and responses to care are crucial for effective care planning. Participating in resident care planning conferences allows them to contribute valuable insights and ensure the care plan is person-centered. Other tasks listed are typically within the scope of licensed nurses.

Validation therapy is most appropriate for which type of resident?

Answer: Residents with dementia experiencing confusion about time and place

Validation therapy acknowledges and respects the feelings of residents with dementia, reducing distress by entering their reality rather than correcting it.

When a resident is combative and tries to hit the nurse aide, it is important for the nurse aide to:

Answer: Step back to protect yourself from harm while speaking in a calm manner.

When a resident is combative and attempts to hit, the nurse aide's first priority is to ensure their own safety and de-escalate the situation. Stepping back creates a safe distance, while speaking calmly can help reduce the resident's agitation. This approach prioritizes safety and attempts to calm the resident without escalating the confrontation.

When a nursing assistant walks into a client's room, she discovers a trashcan on fire. The first thing a nursing assistant does is:

Answer: Take the patient out.

When referring to fire scenarios, the term "RACE" stands for rescue, alarm, contain, and extinguish. To avoid danger, you must first save the client.

Which action protects a resident's right to receive information about their care?

Answer: Explaining procedures to the resident before performing them

Residents have the right to be informed about all aspects of their care before and during procedures.

A resident is found on the floor. After calling for help, what is the CNA's next priority?

Answer: Stay with the resident and keep them calm until the nurse arrives

The CNA must stay with the resident to monitor and provide reassurance while preventing further injury until a nurse assesses the situation.

A resident who is normally talkative suddenly becomes withdrawn and tearful. What should the CNA do?

Answer: Report the change in behavior to the nurse and document observations

Sudden changes in a resident's mood or behavior are significant clinical observations that must be reported to the nurse promptly.