Basic Nursing Skills 18 Flashcards
6 cards from real CNA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Basic Nursing Skills 18 flashcards as text
Which technique is MOST important to prevent injury to the CNA when assisting a patient to stand?
Answer: Using proper body mechanics: bending at the knees, keeping the back straight, and staying close to the patient
Proper body mechanics — wide base of support, bending at knees (not waist), keeping back straight, and staying close — protect the CNA's spine and transfer the workload to larger leg muscles.
When assisting a patient to transfer from bed to wheelchair, the wheelchair should be positioned:
Answer: At a 45-degree angle on the patient's stronger side with the brakes locked
Positioning the wheelchair at 45 degrees on the patient's stronger side minimizes the arc of rotation and allows the patient to lead the pivot step with their stronger leg.
A patient uses a quad cane for ambulation assistance. On which side should the CNA walk when guiding this patient?
Answer: On the patient's weaker side, slightly behind them
The CNA walks on the patient's weaker side during ambulation, where the greatest fall risk exists, while the cane is used on the stronger side for weight-bearing support.
How should a gait belt be applied before assisting a patient to stand?
Answer: Around the patient's waist over clothing with enough room to fit two fingers under the belt
A gait belt is applied around the waist over clothing, snug enough to be secure (CNA can fit only 1–2 fingers under it) but not so tight it restricts breathing or causes pain.
During ambulation, a patient suddenly becomes dizzy and starts to lose balance. The CNA should:
Answer: Ease the patient to the floor in a controlled manner to prevent an uncontrolled fall
When a patient begins to fall, the CNA's priority is a controlled descent to the floor — this is safer than trying to hold up the patient's full weight, which risks injuring both the patient and the CNA.
What is the CORRECT method for assisting a patient from a seated position to standing?
Answer: Have the patient scoot to the chair edge, place feet flat, lean forward, and assist to stand using the gait belt
The correct sit-to-stand technique has the patient scoot forward, plant feet, lean forward (nose over toes), and use leg muscles to stand — the CNA supports using the gait belt, never pulling by the arms.