CNA Patient Care Procedure — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before performing any care procedure on a resident, what should a CNA always do?
- Read the care plan in the break room
- Identify the resident by checking their ID band and confirming their name (Correct answer)
- Ask a co-worker who the resident is
- Begin the procedure and verify the resident's name afterward
Correct answer: Identify the resident by checking their ID band and confirming their name
Identifying the resident before any procedure is a critical patient safety step. The CNA should check the resident's identification band and/or confirm their name to ensure the correct procedure is performed on the correct person.
Question 2: When transferring a resident from bed to a wheelchair, which principle should guide the CNA's technique?
- Use upper body strength to lift the resident quickly
- Twist the torso to swing the resident into the wheelchair
- Use proper body mechanics: wide base, bent knees, straight back, and pivot (Correct answer)
- Ask the resident to stand on their own without assistance
Correct answer: Use proper body mechanics: wide base, bent knees, straight back, and pivot
Safe body mechanics—including a wide base of support, keeping the back straight, bending at the knees, keeping the load close to the body, and pivoting rather than twisting—protect both the CNA and the resident from injury during transfers.
Question 3: How frequently should a CNA reposition a bedridden resident to prevent pressure injuries?
- Once per shift
- Every 4–6 hours
- Every two hours (Correct answer)
- Only when the resident requests it
Correct answer: Every two hours
Bedridden residents should generally be repositioned every two hours to relieve sustained pressure on bony prominences. Pressure injuries can develop rapidly in immobile patients, and consistent repositioning is the primary prevention strategy.
Question 4: When measuring and recording urine output, what unit of measurement does the CNA use?
- Ounces (oz)
- Liters only (L)
- Milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc) (Correct answer)
- Cups
Correct answer: Milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc)
Urine output and all fluid measurements in healthcare settings are measured in milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cc), which are equivalent. Accurate intake and output (I&O) recording requires consistent use of this unit.
Question 5: A resident's care plan indicates they require a partial bed bath. How should the CNA proceed?
- Bathe the entire body as they would for a complete bath
- Clean only the face and hands
- Focus on the face, hands, underarms, back, and perineal area as directed in the care plan (Correct answer)
- Skip the bath entirely and document it as completed
Correct answer: Focus on the face, hands, underarms, back, and perineal area as directed in the care plan
A partial bed bath focuses on the face, hands, underarms, back, and perineal area. The CNA should explain the procedure to the resident, provide privacy, use warm water, and wash from clean to dirty areas to prevent spreading bacteria.
Question 6: What action must a CNA always take after completing a care procedure?
- Tell the next shift verbally so they know what was done
- Document the care provided accurately and in a timely manner (Correct answer)
- Wait until the end of the shift to document all care at once
- Ask the charge nurse to document on the CNA's behalf
Correct answer: Document the care provided accurately and in a timely manner
Documentation is a legal and professional requirement after providing care. It ensures continuity of care, provides a record for all team members, and protects both the resident and the CNA. Documentation should be accurate, timely, and objective.
CNA Patient Care Procedure
Before performing any care procedure on a resident, what should a CNA always do?