Free STNA Basic Nursing Skills Test 2 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following should you observe and record when admitting a client?
- The color of the stool and amount of urine voided
- How much the client has eaten and drunk
- Bruises, marks, rashes, or broken skin (Correct answer)
- Insurance information
Correct answer: Bruises, marks, rashes, or broken skin
Upon admission, it is crucial for a nurse aide to thoroughly observe and document the client's skin condition, including any existing bruises, marks, rashes, or areas of broken skin. This baseline assessment is vital for identifying potential neglect, abuse, or pre-existing conditions, and for monitoring changes in skin integrity throughout their stay, contributing to comprehensive care.
Question 2: When arranging a patient's room, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:
- Check signal cords
- Adjust the back and knee rests as directed
- Administer medications (Correct answer)
- Check lighting
Correct 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.
Question 3: The MOST serious problem that wrinkles in bedclothes can cause is:
- Restlessness
- Sleeplessness
- Decubitus ulcers (Correct answer)
- Bleeding and shock
Correct answer: Decubitus ulcers
Wrinkles in bedclothes create friction and pressure points against a patient's skin, especially for those with limited mobility. This constant pressure and shearing force can impede blood flow to the affected areas, leading to tissue damage and the formation of decubitus ulcers, also known as pressure sores. Preventing these ulcers is a critical aspect of an STNA's role in maintaining patient skin integrity and comfort.
Question 4: You are assigned a hemiplegia patient. Which of the following options BEST describes what the patientās medical condition is?
- The patient has been diagnosed with a blood condition
- The patientās entire right side of his or her body is paralyzed (Correct answer)
- The patient has blood clots in his or her lower extremities
- The patientās lower half of his or her body is paralyzed
Correct answer: The patientās entire right side of his or her body is paralyzed
Hemiplegia is a medical term derived from 'hemi-' meaning half, and '-plegia' meaning paralysis. Therefore, a patient with hemiplegia experiences paralysis affecting one entire side of their body, either the right or the left. This condition is distinct from paralysis of only the lower half of the body (paraplegia) or general blood conditions.
Question 5: Due to ethnic, racial, and cultural factors, which of the following groups is LESS likely to be diagnosed with diabetes?
- Hispanics
- White Americans (Correct answer)
- Native Americans
- African Americans
Correct 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.
Question 6: In order for a microbe to survive it must have somewhere to live. What is the term used to describe the area where the microbe lives?
- Reservoir (Correct answer)
- Portal of entry
- Source
- Method of transmission
Correct answer: Reservoir
In the chain of infection, a 'reservoir' is defined as the natural environment or habitat where a pathogen or microbe normally lives and multiplies. This can be a human, an animal, soil, water, or inanimate objects. For a microbe to survive and potentially cause an infection, it must have a suitable reservoir to reside in and reproduce.
Question 7: Which of the following options is NOT when you would use a gait belt on a patient?
- When you are moving a patient from a chair to a bed
- When you are moving a patient from the supine position to the Simās position (Correct answer)
- When you are moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair
- When you are moving a patient from a bed to a stretcher
Correct answer: When you are moving a patient from the supine position to the Simās position
A gait belt, also known as a transfer belt, is a safety device used by healthcare professionals to assist patients with standing, walking, or transferring between surfaces like a bed, chair, or stretcher. Moving a patient from the supine position (lying on their back) to Sim's position (a semi-prone side-lying position) is a repositioning task performed within the bed, which typically does not require the use of a gait belt.
Question 8: An adult patientās heart rate is regular and 85 bpm. What action should the nursing assistant take?
- Document the vital sign (Correct answer)
- Document and report it to the nurse
- No action is needed
- Notify the doctor immediately
Correct 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.
Question 9: A personās radial pulse is 40 beats in 30 seconds. What is this personās pulse rate?
- 70 beats per minute
- 75 beats per minute
- 80 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 90 beats per minute
Correct answer: 80 beats per minute
To calculate a pulse rate per minute from a shorter measurement, you multiply the count by the factor needed to reach 60 seconds. If a person's radial pulse is 40 beats in 30 seconds, you multiply 40 by 2 (since 30 seconds x 2 = 60 seconds). Therefore, 40 beats * 2 equals 80 beats per minute.
Question 10: What are protozoa?
- 1-celled organism that can cause an infection
- Plant-like organisms
- Things that grow in living cells
- 1-celled animals (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 1-celled animals
Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that are classified as animal-like protists. They are microscopic and possess characteristics similar to animals, such as motility and heterotrophic nutrition. While some can cause infections, their fundamental classification is as one-celled animals, distinguishing them from bacteria (which are prokaryotes) or fungi (plant-like organisms).
Question 11: How should you record a patientās output?
- Using cubic meters and liters
- Using millimeters and centimeters
- Using grams and kilograms
- Using cubic centimeters or milliliters (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Using cubic centimeters or milliliters
In healthcare, patient output, such as urine, emesis, or wound drainage, is consistently measured and recorded using the metric units of cubic centimeters (cc) or milliliters (mL). These units are equivalent (1 cc = 1 mL) and are the standard for accurate fluid balance tracking. This ensures uniformity and precision in patient care documentation.
Which of the following should you observe and record when admitting a client?