CNA EXAM 25

A patient is placed in a bed with the head elevated at a 30-degree angle. What is this position called?

Semi-Fowler’s

What is the primary purpose of handwashing in healthcare settings?

To prevent the spread of infection

What is the normal range for respirations in an adult at rest?

12-20 breaths per minute

What is important in terms of environment to consider when a patient is at risk of falling?

Maintain a clean and clutter free environment

What is the most important action when performing CPR on an adult?

Administering chest compressions

A patient is confused and asking for help, but becomes combative when you try to assist. What is the best course of action?

Call for help from other healthcare professionals

What should be done if a patient’s oxygen mask becomes dislodged?

Reposition the mask and ensure it is snug

What is the proper technique for lifting a patient from a bed to a wheelchair?

Use your legs and bend at the knees

What is the term for an excessive accumulation of fluid in the body?

Edema

What is a priority when caring for a patient with a chest tube?

Checking the tube for kinks or obstructions

A patient is showing signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face and difficulty breathing. What should you do first?

Call for emergency assistance immediately

What is the acronym for spotting a stroke?

FAST (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, time to call 911)

What is most important when documenting patient information?

Ensuring documentation is accurate and objective

What should be done if a CNA observes a coworker neglecting a patient?

Report the incident to the supervisor immediately

What can be signs of dehydration?

Dry mouth and skin

When caring for a patient with a urinary catheter, what is most important for the CNA to do?

Ensure the catheter tubing is secured and not kinked

What should a CNA do if they notice a patient has an open wound with excessive bleeding?

Apply pressure to stop the bleeding

How can a CNA ensure they maintain patient confidentiality?

Discuss patient information only with authorized individuals

What is the most common cause of a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?

Improper hand hygiene

A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and begins to feel itchy and has difficulty breathing. What should the CNA do first?

Stop the transfusion immediately

What should a CNA do before entering a patient’s room?

Knock on the door

When should a CNA report a change in a patient’s condition?

Immediately to the nurse or supervisor

What can be a sign of hypoglycemia in a a diabetic patient?

Shaking and confusion

What is the proper technique to measure a patient’s blood pressure?

Use the stethoscope to listen for the first and last sound

How should a CNA assist a patient with a walker?

Place the walker in front of the patient and assist with walking

What is the first thing a CNA should do if they find a patient unresponsive?

Call for help immediately

What is a common symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Frequent urination

What is the proper procedure in regards to water temperature for performing a bed bath for a patient?

Ensure the water temperature is comfortable

How should a CNA handle a patient who is in isolation?

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment

What can be symptoms of a heart attack?

Pain in the chest or arms

What is the correct way for a CNA to handle patient medications?

Administer medications as prescribed

What should a CNA do if a patient starts choking?

Perform the Heimlich maneuver

What actions are most important when assisting a patient to the bathroom?

Assist the patient with transferring safely

How should a CNA handle a patient who is refusing to take medication?

Inform the nurse and document the refusal

What should a CNA do if they notice a patient showing signs of depression?

Offer support and notify the nurse

When transferring a patient with a weak side, which side should move first?

The strong side

How often should a bedridden patient be repositioned to prevent pressure ulcers?

Every 2 hours

What is the first step in responding to a fire in a healthcare facility?

Rescue patients in immediate danger

What does the RACE protocol stand for when having a fire emergency in a healthcare facility?

Rescue, alarm, confine, extinguish or evacuate

What is the correct action for a CNA to take if they accidentally spill a cleaning solution on the floor?

Notify housekeeping and block off the area

You have an infant that you are caring for on your unit. What is the most accurate way to retrieve a temperature on this patient?

Rectally

You are turning a patient during your rounds. What is the best way to ensure you do not pull the Foley catheter out?

Ensure that the catheter is secured to the inner thigh

A fracture-type bedpan is used for patients with what condition?

Back injury

You have a new 65 year old diabetic patient on your unit. What is the most important thing to do before leaving the room?

Ensure that the patient is aware of how to use the call light system

What can be considered subjective information?

The patients pain level is 7/10

You have a patient in restraints. You know the proper place to always tie restraints to is where?

A non-movable part of the bed frame

What is the proper measurement for measuring bodily fluids?

Milliliters

You are coming on shift to meet your patient. What is the best way to ensure patient safety while meeting the patient?

Have the patient tell you his name, DOB while you make sure it matches what is on his armband

What is the medical abbreviation for before meals and at bedtime?

ACHS

The patient is lying in the supine position. In what position is the patient’s bed?

Flat

You are working a 12 hour shift. How often should you reposition your patients?

Q2hr (every 2 hours)

You have a patient that you need to chart I/O on for breakfast. The patient had 6 oz of coffee, 8 oz of a protein shake, and 9 oz of orange juice. How will you document this in the patients chart?

690 mL

You have a 70 year old patient that is usually pleasant and easy going. Today she has cognitive delays, is hitting and kicking, and does not know who the staff are. Which condition is the patient likely experiencing?

Urinary tract infection

What is the best way to palpate a carotid pulse?

Place two fingers lightly on the side of the neck just underneath the mandible and over the trachea

You have a patient that has pneumonia and is weak. What teaching would you provide to the patient?

Make sure to cough and deep breathe often throughout the day

You are taking care of a patient with MRSA. You need to dispose of your gown and gloves. Where is the proper place to dispose of your gown and gloves?

In the patient’s room (cuts down on cross-contamination)

You are performing CPR on an adult patient. What is the correct depth per compression you should use?

2 inches

You have a patient who is incontinent of bowel and bladder. You know this patient is at increased risk for what?

Pressure wounds

A patient has fallen and broken his foot. The foot is now in a cast. What is important to assess during your shift?

Color and temperature of the toes

You have a patient with dark amber colored urine. You know this is a sign or what?

Dehydration

What is the best way to take an apical pulse?

To the left of the sternum at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line

Your patient is on a fluid restriction and asks for water. You bring the patient an 8 oz cup of water. How would you document the water in the chart?

240 mL

You have a patient with generalized weakness to transfer from the bed to the chair. Which transfer device would you use?

A gait belt

Your patient with a Foley catheter bag is wanting to ambulate in the hall to get out of his room. Where should the bag be when carried?

Beneath the level of the bladder

You are performing CPR with a second rescuer available to you. You are performing chest compressions. The second rescuer is giving oxygen via bag and mask. At what rate should the second rescuer provide breaths to the patient who is in cardiac arrest?

1 breath every 6 seconds (at a rate of 10 breaths per minute)

The patient that is bed bound is at risk for what in relation to muscle condition?

Atrophy

You have a patient that has incontinence who wears briefs. What is necessary for patients with stress incontinence?

Frequent toileting breaks throughout the day

You have a patient with a reddened area on her coccyx. What is best practice to keep the area from becoming a stage II pressure ulcer?

Turning the patient q2hr and offloading pressure to the reddened area

Contact precautions include what?

Gloves and a gown

You are providing perineal care to a patient. What is the proper way to clean the patient to avoid contamination or a UTI?

Wash from the meatus out

You have a patient on strict dysphasia precautions. The cafeteria sent her up a lunch tray. What item would you question if it arrived on the patient’s tray?

Regular orange juice (needs to be thickened with a thickener)

What is considered a normal sign of aging?

Slower response time

What is a common infection found in the healthcare setting that would require contact precautions?

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

When should a patient’s weight be taken to obtain an accurate reading?

At the same time everyday

You assess your patient and he has a fever of 102.1, HR 101, RR 22. The patient appears sweaty. He most likely has what?

An infection

When taking blood pressure it is important to consider what in relation to the position of the patients legs?

They should not be crossed

A patient is experiencing dark stools. Which of the following conditions is the patient likely experiencing?

GI bleed

You are putting linens on a patient’s bed. You know that not having wrinkles in the sheets is important because…

It can prevent a decubitus ulcer

You are performing CPR on an adult patient. At what rate should you use to properly provide CPR?

100-120 compressions per minute

You have a patient that has a colostomy bag. You are changing the colostomy bag and realize the stoma is dark purple. What is your next step?

Report it immediately to the charge nurse (this could indicate a lack of oxygen to the stoma, it should normally be a pink to red color)

Which type of precautions would be used for a patient with C.Diff?

Enteric (contact precautions)

Your patient is on strict I/O status. What is important to measure for this patient?

Measure all liquids the patient consumes and measure all urine output

What is important for the care of a diabetic patient in relation to their feet?

Keeping their feet dry and warm with dry, clean socks

A patient tells you that she has had a left sided mastectomy 2 years ago. Where would you take her blood pressure?

On the right arm only

You are going to help a patient transfer from the wheelchair to the bed. Where would you stand while transferring the patient?

In front of the wheelchair

What is the best way to prevent the spread of germs?

Handwashing

You are using a pulse oximeter on a patient. You know a pulse oximeter is used to measure what?

The amount of O2 in the patient’s blood

You have been busy during your 12 hour shift and haven’t been able to empty your patient’s Foley bag. You go in right before your shift is over to document output. What output amount would bring caution?

350 mL (this could be an indication of acute kidney failure, 30 mL per 1 hour is minimum)

A patient is experiencing a seizure. What is the proper thing to do?

Lay them on their left side

You are feeding a patient who has orders from speech therapy to perform a chin tuck while drinking liquids. What is the reason for this?

To prevent the patient from choking

You are counting respirations on a patient. What is the proper way to count respirations for a patient?

Look at the patient’s chest rise and watch simultaneously for 60 seconds

Your patient has an indwelling Foley catheter. Where is the best place to position the drainage bag?

At or below the bladder

You have a patient who states that her left calf hurts. You asses it and it is red and warm to the touch. Which condition are you concerned that your patient may be suffering from?

Blood clot

You have a patient on oxygen that wants to use his new electric shaver to shave his face. You know that…

A patient using oxygen should only use a standard razor due to the risk of fire

You are transferring a patient that is weak. The patient begins to fall. What is the best thing for you to do?

Grab the transfer belt and help lower the patient gently to the floor

What medical abbreviation is inappropriate for use?

QD for daily or QID for every other day (it can easily be confused with QOD or other abbreviations, it must be written out and no abbreviations can be used for these terms)

How many fingers should you be able to slide under wrist restraints?

2

You are changing the linens of a patient’s bed. Where should the linen be placed while you are performing the bed change?

In the laundry bag

The patient tells you his pain is 10/10. However, the patient is smiling and talking to his visitors. You report the pain to the charge nurse because you know that…

Pain is whatever the patient says it is

There is a fire on your unit. What is the first thing you should do?

Rescue your patients