CNA Basic Nursing Skills 12 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Continuing education is

a professional standard.
necessary for recertification in many states.
important for keeping abreast of new development.
all of the above. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: all of the above.

Continuing education is vital for CNAs for multiple reasons. It is often a professional standard, required for recertification in many states to maintain licensure, and essential for staying updated on new techniques, best practices, and developments in healthcare. All these aspects contribute to providing high-quality patient care.

Question 2: The opening of the colostomy to the outside of the body is called the

Stoma (Correct answer)
Rectum
Insertion site.
None of the above

Correct answer: Stoma

The stoma is the surgically created opening on the abdomen that allows stool to exit the body from the colon in a colostomy. It is the visible part of the colostomy and is where the ostomy bag is attached to collect waste. Understanding this terminology is crucial for proper ostomy care.

Question 3: Post-partum refers to

The period of time right before delivery of a baby
The period of time right after death.
The period of time just before death.
The period of time after a delivery of a baby (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The period of time after a delivery of a baby

"Post-partum" is a medical term that specifically refers to the period of time immediately following childbirth. This phase typically lasts for about six weeks and involves the mother's body recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, as well as adjusting to caring for a newborn. It is distinct from other life events.

Question 4: Mrs. Shumway's nursing care plan lists CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) as her primary dx. (diagnosis). You would expect her ADL routine to include

Placement of TED hose after ambulation
Daily am weight measurement (Correct answer)
Daily jog around the facility for 1 hour
Encourage oral fluids

Correct answer: Daily am weight measurement

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) often causes fluid retention, which can lead to rapid weight gain. Daily morning weight measurements are crucial for monitoring fluid balance and detecting early signs of worsening CHF, allowing for timely medical intervention. Encouraging oral fluids would be contraindicated, and daily jogging is inappropriate for CHF.

Question 5: A patient appears more pale than usual. The nurse aide should

note it on the chart.
ask the patient how he feels and take his vital signs immediately. (Correct answer)
offer a glass of water.
get the patient a snack.

Correct answer: ask the patient how he feels and take his vital signs immediately.

Pallor (paleness) can be a sign of various underlying issues, including anemia, shock, or other serious medical conditions. The most appropriate initial action for a CNA is to assess the patient's subjective symptoms and objectively measure vital signs to gather more information, then report these findings to the nurse for further evaluation.

Question 6: A patient who was given insulin in the morning is pale and sweaty and appears confused two hours later. It would be helpful to find out whether the patient

has diabetes.
had visitors that day.
had breakfast. (Correct answer)
ate too much sugar.

Correct answer: had breakfast.

A patient who received insulin and then becomes pale, sweaty, and confused two hours later is exhibiting classic signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Insulin lowers blood sugar, and if the patient did not eat breakfast after receiving insulin, their blood sugar could drop dangerously low. Knowing if they ate is critical for understanding and addressing the situation.

Question 7: When caring for a resident with an indwelling Foley catheter it is important to

Check the bag and tubing frequently for adequate urinary flow (Correct answer)
Tuck the tubing under the patient’s leg to keep it off the floor
Withhold fluids if the bag is too full
Pin the tubing to the resident gown

Correct answer: Check the bag and tubing frequently for adequate urinary flow

Maintaining adequate urinary flow is paramount for a patient with an indwelling Foley catheter to prevent urinary stasis, which can lead to infection or kidney damage. The CNA should regularly check for kinks in the tubing, ensure the bag is below bladder level, and monitor the amount and characteristics of urine output.

Question 8: Mrs. Hernandez had a hip replacement and is admitted to the long term care facility for rehabilitation. Her condition is

Chronic
Tonic
Obstetric
Acute (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Acute

An "acute" condition is one that has a sudden onset and a relatively short duration, often requiring immediate medical attention or rehabilitation. A hip replacement is a surgical event, and the subsequent rehabilitation is a focused, time-limited recovery period, making it an acute care need rather than a chronic (long-term) condition.

Question 9: On what side should the patient lie for an enema?

The side closer to the restroom.
Right.
Whichever side is more comfortable.
Left (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Left

For an enema, the patient should typically be positioned on their left side in a Sim's position (left side-lying with the right knee bent). This anatomical position allows gravity to assist the flow of the enema solution into the sigmoid colon and descending colon, which are on the left side, facilitating better retention and effectiveness.

Question 10: The goal of the health care team is to

Assign tasks and responsibilities
Obtain reimbursement
Provide quality care (Correct answer)
Provide case management

Correct answer: Provide quality care

The overarching goal of any healthcare team, including CNAs, nurses, and doctors, is to provide the highest possible quality of care to patients. This encompasses ensuring patient safety, promoting well-being, meeting individual needs, and achieving positive health outcomes, which supersedes administrative or financial objectives.

Question 11: If a resident drinks four ounces of water with a meal, how many milliliters (ml) has he consumed?

30
6416
16
120 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 120

To convert ounces to milliliters, you use the conversion factor that 1 ounce is approximately equal to 30 milliliters (ml). Therefore, four ounces multiplied by 30 ml/ounce equals 120 ml. This calculation is essential for accurately documenting fluid intake in healthcare settings.

Question 12: What basic need is most essential?

Love and Belonging
Safety and security (Correct answer)
Self actualization
Self-esteem

Correct answer: Safety and security

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, basic physiological needs (like food, water, shelter) and safety and security needs are foundational. Without a sense of safety and security, individuals cannot effectively pursue higher-level needs such as love and belonging, self-esteem, or self-actualization. Therefore, ensuring a resident's safety and security is paramount.

Question 13: The medical term for hair loss is called

hirsutism
pediculosis
decubitus
alopecia (Correct answer)

Correct answer: alopecia

Alopecia is the correct medical term for hair loss, which can occur for various reasons, including genetics, medical conditions, or medication side effects. Hirsutism refers to excessive hair growth, pediculosis is a lice infestation, and decubitus refers to pressure ulcers. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurate communication in healthcare.

Question 14: Who is responsible for the entire nursing staff and the activities involved in providing safe care.

The case manager
The Director of Nursing (Correct answer)
The supervisor
A registered nurse

Correct answer: The Director of Nursing

The Director of Nursing (DON) is a senior leadership position responsible for the overall management and quality of nursing care within a facility. This includes overseeing all nursing staff, developing policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining high standards of patient safety and care. The DON's role encompasses the entire scope of nursing operations.

Question 15: Considering the resident’s activity, which of the following sets of vital signs should be reported to the charge nurse immediately?

After eating: 97.0°-64-24
Resting: 98.6°-98-32 (Correct answer)
While watching television: 98.8°-72-14
After walking exercise: 98.2°-98-28

Correct answer: Resting: 98.6°-98-32

A resting respiration rate of 32 breaths per minute is significantly elevated above the normal adult range (typically 12-20 breaths per minute). This could indicate respiratory distress, anxiety, or another underlying medical issue. Such an abnormal vital sign, especially when the resident is at rest, requires immediate reporting to the charge nurse for further assessment and intervention.

Question 16: The nervous system changes as people get older. Which change is considered normal?

Substantial loss in memory
Slower response time (Correct answer)
Sensitivity increases
Ability to reason diminishes

Correct answer: Slower response time

As people age, it is normal for the nervous system to experience a slower response time, which can manifest as slower reflexes or processing information. This is due to changes in nerve conduction velocity and neurotransmitter function. Substantial memory loss, increased sensitivity, or diminished reasoning ability are generally not considered normal aging and may indicate other conditions.

CNA Basic Nursing Skills 12

Continuing education is