GNA - Geriatric Nursing Assistant Role of the Nursing Assistant Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA)?
- Applying a sterile dressing to a deep wound. (Correct answer)
- Assisting a resident with their meal tray.
- Measuring and recording a resident's blood pressure.
- Documenting the amount of fluid a resident drinks.
Correct answer: Applying a sterile dressing to a deep wound.
Applying a sterile dressing is a complex task that requires sterile technique and the assessment skills of a licensed nurse. GNAs are trained to perform non-sterile procedures and assist with activities of daily living, such as feeding, vital signs, and recording intake and output.
Question 2: A resident's family member is very grateful for the care you have provided and offers you a $50 bill as a 'thank you.' What is the most professional response?
- Accept the money but do not tell anyone.
- Suggest they use the money to buy a gift for the entire unit.
- Politely refuse the gift, explaining that it is against facility policy. (Correct answer)
- Take the money and give it to your supervising nurse.
Correct answer: Politely refuse the gift, explaining that it is against facility policy.
Accepting personal cash gifts from residents or their families creates a conflict of interest, violates professional boundaries, and is against the policy of nearly all healthcare facilities. The most professional action is to politely decline and explain that you are happy to provide care as part of your job.
Question 3: A licensed nurse delegates the task of obtaining a resident's weight to a GNA. Before performing the task, the GNA has a responsibility to:
- Ask another GNA to supervise the procedure.
- Ensure the task is specifically listed in their original job description.
- Politely decline if they have performed the task before.
- Confirm they understand the instructions and feel competent to perform the task safely. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Confirm they understand the instructions and feel competent to perform the task safely.
According to the 'Five Rights of Delegation,' the person being delegated a task (the delegatee) must have the skills and knowledge to perform it. It is the GNA's responsibility to seek clarification if they are unsure about any part of the delegated task to ensure resident safety.
Question 4: A GNA notices that a resident's urine is dark, cloudy, and has a strong odor. Which statement best describes the GNA's role in this situation?
- Encourage the resident to drink more cranberry juice and re-check in the morning.
- Report the objective observations to the nurse for further assessment. (Correct answer)
- Document the observation and diagnose the resident with a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Ask the resident's family if this is a normal occurrence for them.
Correct answer: Report the objective observations to the nurse for further assessment.
The GNA's role is to be an observer and reporter of facts. Noting the color, clarity, and smell of the urine are objective observations. The GNA must report these findings to the licensed nurse, who will then use their clinical judgment to assess the resident and determine the cause. Diagnosing a condition like a UTI is outside the GNA's scope of practice.
Question 5: The GNA's role in providing direct care and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) is performed under the direct supervision of which healthcare team member?
- The facility administrator
- The physical therapist
- The licensed nurse (RN/LPN) (Correct answer)
- The medical doctor
Correct answer: The licensed nurse (RN/LPN)
Geriatric Nursing Assistants work as part of the nursing team and are supervised by licensed nurses (Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses). The nurse delegates tasks to the GNA and is ultimately responsible for the resident's overall nursing care plan.
Question 6: During rounds, a GNA discovers a frayed electrical cord on a resident's personal lamp. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Unplug the lamp, remove it from the resident's room, and report the hazard. (Correct answer)
- Wrap the frayed part with electrical tape and plug it back in.
- Inform the resident not to use the lamp and check on it later.
- Wait until the end of the shift to report it to the maintenance department.
Correct answer: Unplug the lamp, remove it from the resident's room, and report the hazard.
A frayed electrical cord is a significant fire and electrical shock hazard that must be dealt with immediately. The proper procedure is to eliminate the immediate danger by unplugging and removing the device, and then reporting it to the nurse or appropriate department for repair or disposal.
GNA - Geriatric Nursing Assistant Role of the Nursing Assistant Questions and Answers
Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA)?