CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant Activities of Daily Living 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When bathing a resident in bed, the CNA should change the water:
- Only when it becomes visibly dirty
- After washing the face and before washing the perineal area (Correct answer)
- At the end of the bath to rinse the resident
- Once during the entire bed bath
Correct answer: After washing the face and before washing the perineal area
Water should be changed after washing the face and upper body and before washing the perineal area to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of infection.
Question 2: A resident with right-sided weakness needs help putting on a shirt. The CNA should:
- Dress the strong (left) side first
- Dress the weak (right) side first (Correct answer)
- Have the resident put the shirt on independently
- Ask the charge nurse to complete the task
Correct answer: Dress the weak (right) side first
When dressing a resident with one-sided weakness, always dress the weak side first. This makes it easier to maneuver the garment over the affected limb without causing discomfort or injury.
Question 3: After providing nail care, the CNA notices the resident's toenails are thick and yellow. The CNA should:
- Trim the nails carefully using nail clippers
- Apply lotion and ignore the discoloration
- Report the observation to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Soak the feet longer next time
Correct answer: Report the observation to the nurse
Thick, yellow toenails can indicate a fungal infection or other medical condition. CNAs should not trim abnormal toenails (especially on diabetic residents) and must report the finding to the nurse.
Question 4: When shampooing a resident's hair in bed using a shampoo basin, the CNA should:
- Use hot water to open the hair cuticles
- Check the water temperature on the inner wrist before use (Correct answer)
- Keep the resident flat to prevent water from splashing
- Skip drying the hair if the room is warm
Correct answer: Check the water temperature on the inner wrist before use
Water temperature should always be tested on the CNA's inner wrist (or had the resident confirm comfort) before applying to the resident's head to prevent scalding or discomfort.
Question 5: While assisting a resident with ambulation, the CNA should place the gait belt:
- Around the resident's chest under the arms
- Around the resident's waist over clothing (Correct answer)
- Around the resident's hips below the waist
- Around the resident's wrist for a firm grip
Correct answer: Around the resident's waist over clothing
The gait belt is placed securely around the resident's waist, over clothing, to give the CNA a safe and stable handhold for guiding and supporting the resident during ambulation.
Question 6: A resident who is visually impaired is about to eat a meal. To help the resident locate food on the plate, the CNA should:
- Feed the resident entirely to save time
- Describe the food placement using clock positions (e.g., meat is at 6 o'clock) (Correct answer)
- Cut all food into very small pieces without explanation
- Move the tray closer and let the resident figure it out
Correct answer: Describe the food placement using clock positions (e.g., meat is at 6 o'clock)
Using clock positions to describe food placement promotes the resident's independence and dignity by allowing them to locate and self-feed as much as possible without requiring full assistance.
CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant Activities of Daily Living 1
When bathing a resident in bed, the CNA should change the water: