Question 1: What is one of the primary duties of a CNA when assisting patients with daily living activities?

• Administer medications
• Perform surgery
• Assist with bathing and dressing (Correct answer)
• Diagnose medical conditions

Correct answer: Assist with bathing and dressing

One of the primary duties of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is to assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes providing direct hands-on care for essential personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding. CNAs play a crucial role in supporting patient comfort, hygiene, and overall well-being.

Question 2: Which vital sign is a CNA typically responsible for measuring?

• Blood pressure (Correct answer)
• Blood sugar
• X-rays
• MRI scans

Correct answer: Blood pressure

CNAs are trained and routinely responsible for accurately measuring and documenting vital signs, which include temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. These measurements provide essential information about a patient's physiological status and are crucial for monitoring changes, assessing health, and reporting to the nursing staff. Other options like blood sugar, X-rays, and MRI scans are typically handled by different healthcare professionals.

Question 3: If a CNA notices a patient is having difficulty breathing, what should the CNA do first?

• Administer oxygen
• Report the issue to a nurse or supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
• Ignore the issue and monitor the patient for a few hours
• Diagnose the issue as a respiratory condition

Correct answer: Report the issue to a nurse or supervisor immediately

A CNA's scope of practice does not include administering oxygen or diagnosing medical conditions. Difficulty breathing is a serious symptom requiring immediate medical assessment by a licensed nurse or doctor. Reporting promptly ensures the patient receives timely and appropriate intervention, which is crucial for patient safety.

Question 4: How can a CNA help prevent bedsores in a bedridden patient?

• Feed the patient more frequently
• Turn and reposition the patient regularly (Correct answer)
• Administer antibiotics
• Increase the patient’s water intake

Correct answer: Turn and reposition the patient regularly

Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, develop when prolonged pressure on the skin restricts blood flow. Regularly turning and repositioning a bedridden patient redistributes pressure, preventing it from building up in one area. This simple yet critical intervention promotes circulation and significantly reduces the risk of skin breakdown.

Question 5: What should a CNA do if they notice that a patient has not eaten their meal?

• Remove the tray without saying anything
• Feed the patient immediately
• Report the situation to the nurse or dietitian (Correct answer)
• Scold the patient for not eating

Correct answer: Report the situation to the nurse or dietitian

A CNA's role involves observing and reporting changes or concerns about a patient's condition, including their nutritional intake. Not eating meals can indicate various issues, such as illness, pain, or difficulty swallowing, which require assessment by a nurse or dietitian. Reporting ensures the patient's nutritional needs are addressed and potential underlying problems are investigated.

Question 6: What is the role of a CNA in documenting patient care?

• Accurately recording observations and patient status in medical records (Correct answer)
• Writing physician orders for the next shift
• Interpreting lab results and updating care plans independently
• Diagnosing changes in patient condition

Correct answer: Accurately recording observations and patient status in medical records

CNAs are responsible for accurately recording observations such as vital signs, intake and output, and changes in patient condition. Accurate documentation ensures continuity of care and helps the healthcare team make informed decisions.

Documentation is a critical CNA responsibility. CNAs record observations including vital signs, food and fluid intake, output measurements, skin condition, and behavioral changes. Accurate and timely documentation provides the nursing team and physicians with information needed to adjust care plans. Poor documentation can lead to missed care, medical errors, or legal issues. CNAs should always document factually and promptly after providing care.