Basic Nursing Skills Flashcards
16 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 16 Basic Nursing Skills flashcards as text
A restraint should always be tied to the
Answer: Bed frame
A restraint should always be tied to the movable part of the bed frame, not the side rail. Tying it to the bed frame ensures that the restraint moves with the patient when the head of the bed is raised or lowered, preventing injury from excessive tension or pulling. Tying to a side rail could cause injury if the rail is lowered while the restraint is attached.
Some common causes of constipation include all of the following EXCEPT
Answer: Being active
Being active is generally beneficial for bowel regularity and helps prevent constipation, as physical activity stimulates intestinal movement. Conversely, common causes of constipation include decreased fluid intake, certain medications, and the natural slowing of the digestive system that can occur with aging. Therefore, being active is an exception to the causes of constipation.
Your client has been placed on I & O. This means that you should
Answer: Record all the fluid intake and output.
"I & O" stands for Intake and Output, which means carefully measuring and recording all fluids a patient consumes (intake) and all fluids they eliminate (output). This includes oral fluids, IV fluids, urine, vomit, and drainage from wounds. Monitoring I&O is crucial for assessing fluid balance, kidney function, and detecting potential dehydration or fluid overload.
When muscles atrophy, they become
Answer: Smaller
When muscles atrophy, they become smaller and weaker due to disuse, disease, or aging. This reduction in muscle mass can lead to decreased strength and impaired mobility. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are important for preventing or slowing muscle atrophy.
The medical abbreviation for “before meals” is
Answer: ac
The medical abbreviation "ac" stands for "ante cibum," which is Latin for "before meals." This abbreviation is commonly used in medication orders to indicate that a drug should be administered prior to eating. Other common abbreviations include "pc" for after meals and "npo" for nothing by mouth.
One of the differences between an RN and a CNA is that only the RN can ________.
Answer: give medication
One of the key differences in scope of practice between a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is that only an RN (or other licensed personnel like an LPN/LVN under RN supervision) is authorized to administer medications. CNAs provide direct patient care, assist with activities of daily living, and report observations, but medication administration falls outside their scope.
When preparing a new patient's room, the CNA should collect
Answer: All of the above
When preparing a new patient's room, a CNA should ensure that essential items for assessment, personal care, and comfort are available. This includes a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer for vital signs, a patient pack with personal hygiene items and a gown, and an admission checklist and scale for initial assessments. Having all these items ready facilitates a smooth and efficient admission process.
What body system provides framework for the body and allows the body to move?
Answer: Musculoskeletal
The musculoskeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, provides the body's framework, supports its structure, and enables movement. Bones provide support and protection, while muscles contract to move the bones, allowing for a wide range of motion. This system is vital for posture, locomotion, and protecting internal organs.
A warning sign of cancer is
Answer: All of the above
All the listed options—an obvious change in a wart or mole, a change in bowel or bladder habits, and a sore that does not heal—are important warning signs of cancer. Recognizing these signs early and reporting them to a healthcare professional is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. CNAs play a vital role in observing and reporting such changes in patients.
The CNA can do all of these to assist a patient for discharge EXCEPT
Answer: Explain the discharge orders to the patient
CNAs assist with activities of daily living and physical tasks, such as helping a patient change clothes, pack belongings, or transport them. However, explaining discharge orders, which involve medical instructions, medication schedules, and follow-up care, falls under the scope of practice for a licensed nurse (RN or LPN) or physician. This requires medical knowledge and the authority to provide medical teaching, which CNAs do not possess.
If a nurse aide needs to wear a gown to care for a patient in isolation, the nurse aide should
Answer: take the gown off before leaving the patient’s room.
Gowns are worn in isolation to prevent the spread of pathogens from the patient's room to other areas. Removing the gown *before* leaving the room ensures that any contaminants on the gown are contained within the isolation environment. This is a critical step in infection control protocols, protecting other patients, staff, and visitors from potential exposure.
A resident has a slow heart rate; less than 60 beats per minute. The nurse tells you she is having
Answer: Bradycardia
Bradycardia is the medical term used to describe a heart rate that is abnormally slow, specifically less than 60 beats per minute in adults. The prefix 'brady-' means slow, and '-cardia' refers to the heart. Conversely, tachycardia refers to a fast heart rate, while bradypnea and tachypnea refer to slow and fast breathing, respectively.
Which of the following foods is allowed in a clear liquid diet?
Answer: Jello
A clear liquid diet consists of foods that are transparent and liquid at room temperature, providing hydration and some electrolytes while leaving minimal residue in the digestive tract. Jello is allowed because it is clear and melts into a liquid form. Tomato juice, milkshakes, and pudding are opaque and contain solids, making them unsuitable for a clear liquid diet.
The medical abbreviation for “three times a day” is
Answer: tid
The medical abbreviation 'tid' stands for 'ter in die,' which is Latin for 'three times a day.' This abbreviation is commonly used in healthcare to indicate the frequency of medication administration or treatments. Understanding these abbreviations is crucial for accurate communication and patient safety in a healthcare setting.
As death nears, the last sense to leave the body is
Answer: Hearing
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that hearing is often the last sense to remain active as a person approaches death. Even when a person appears unresponsive, they may still be able to hear and process sounds. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to continue speaking to the dying person and to be mindful of what is said in their presence.
The safety device used to transfer a weak or dependent patient from a bed to a chair is called a
Answer: Transfer/gait belt
A transfer or gait belt is a safety device specifically designed to be placed around a patient's waist to provide a secure grip for the caregiver during transfers or ambulation. It allows the CNA to assist the patient safely and maintain control, reducing the risk of falls for both the patient and the caregiver. Other devices like slide boards are for lateral transfers, and Posey vests are restraints.