Basic Nursing Skills 19 Flashcards

When applying a non-sterile elastic bandage (Ace wrap), the CNA should wrap it:

Answer: From distal to proximal to prevent dependent edema

Wrapping from distal (farthest from the heart) to proximal pushes fluid toward the body and prevents swelling.

A resident on a fluid restriction of 1,000 mL/day has already consumed 750 mL by noon. The CNA should:

Answer: Offer the remaining 250 mL spread across remaining hours

Distributing the remaining allowed fluid over the rest of the day helps the resident stay within the restriction comfortably.

Which observation about a resident's stool should be reported to the nurse immediately?

Answer: Tarry, black stool

Tarry, black (melena) stool indicates possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding and requires immediate reporting.

A resident's pulse is irregular. The CNA's best action is to:

Answer: Count for a full 60 seconds and report to the nurse

An irregular pulse must be counted for a full minute for accuracy, and the irregularity must be reported to the nurse.

When giving a bed bath, the CNA should change the bath water when it becomes:

Answer: Visibly soiled or soapy

Water should be changed when visibly dirty or soapy to prevent transferring microorganisms between body areas.

The purpose of using a gait belt when assisting a resident to ambulate is to:

Answer: Provide a secure grip to guide and catch the resident safely

A gait belt provides the CNA a firm hold to guide, support, and catch the resident if they begin to fall.

A resident with a urinary catheter complains of lower abdominal pain and the urinary bag shows no output for 2 hours. The CNA should first:

Answer: Check for kinks in the tubing, then report to the nurse

Checking for tubing kinks is the first simple corrective step; if output remains absent, the nurse must be notified promptly.