Certified Nurses Assistant Exam Questions And Answers

1. What four areas of the body can you use to obtain a body temperature reading?

Oral, rectal, axilla, ear canal

Rectal, behind the ear, axilla, nostril

Oral, sole of foot, thigh, bladder

The four areas of the body that can be used to obtain a body temperature reading are the oral cavity, rectum, axilla (armpit), and ear canal. These areas are commonly used because they provide accurate readings and are easily accessible. The oral cavity and rectum are internal areas that can provide core body temperature readings, while the axilla and ear canal are external areas that can provide surface temperature readings.

Explanation

The four areas of the body that can be used to obtain a body temperature reading are the oral cavity, rectum, axilla (armpit), and ear canal. These areas are commonly used because they provide accurate readings and are easily accessible. The oral cavity and rectum are internal areas that can provide core body temperature readings, while the axilla and ear canal are external areas that can provide surface temperature readings.

2. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the nursing assistant?

Obtaining vital signs on the assigned patients

Providing personal hygiene to the assigned patients

Taking telephone orders from the physician for the assigned patients

Assisting the assigned patients with meals

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Explanation

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3. Which of the following pieces of information would require the RN to be notified immediately?

Temperature of 103 F, BP 200/100, Blood Sugar of 250

Temperature of 100 F, BP 150/88, Blood Sugar of 150

Temperature of 99 F, BP 120/80, Blood Sugar of 120

Temperature of 98.6 F, BP 110/70, Blood Sugar of 90

The combination of a high temperature (103 F), high blood pressure (200/100), and high blood sugar (250) indicates a potentially serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. These symptoms could be indicative of an infection, hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes, which can have serious complications if left untreated. The nurse should be notified immediately to assess the patient's condition and provide appropriate medical intervention.

Explanation

The combination of a high temperature (103 F), high blood pressure (200/100), and high blood sugar (250) indicates a potentially serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. These symptoms could be indicative of an infection, hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes, which can have serious complications if left untreated. The nurse should be notified immediately to assess the patient's condition and provide appropriate medical intervention.

4. You are walking with a client in the hallway. The client suddenly becomes weak and starts to fall. What is your first action?

Catch the patient and prevent the fall

Scream for help

Ease the patient to the floor, preventing them from injuring themselves

Hold the patient upright until a wheelchair arrives

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Explanation

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5. A rectal temperature reading is usually more accurate than an oral temperature.

True

False

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Explanation

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6. Care of the patient includes all of the following EXCEPT:

Assisting in their physical needs

Assisting in their spiritual needs

Assisting in their financial needs

Assisting in their psychosocial needs

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Explanation

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7. What is the most effective means of preventing the spread of germs?

Wearing gloves for all procedures

Washing hands briskly with soap and water or alcohol based agent

Wearing a gown

Wearing a mask

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Explanation

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8. Poor skin turgor and a dry mouth are symptoms of:

Diabetes

CVA

Dehydration

Poor skin turgor and a dry mouth are classic signs of dehydration. When the body is lacking adequate fluid, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes less resilient, resulting in poor skin turgor. Additionally, dehydration can cause a decrease in saliva production, leading to a dry mouth. While diabetes and CVA (cerebrovascular accident) can have various symptoms, they do not typically present with poor skin turgor or a dry mouth. Therefore, the correct answer is dehydration.

Explanation

Poor skin turgor and a dry mouth are classic signs of dehydration. When the body is lacking adequate fluid, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes less resilient, resulting in poor skin turgor. Additionally, dehydration can cause a decrease in saliva production, leading to a dry mouth. While diabetes and CVA (cerebrovascular accident) can have various symptoms, they do not typically present with poor skin turgor or a dry mouth. Therefore, the correct answer is dehydration.

9. Edema is a condition caused by retention of body fluid and usually occurs in what areas of the body?

Feet, ankles, hands, face

Hips, hands, face

Neck, legs, feet

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Explanation

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10. What is normal body temperature?

101º F

96.8º F

98.6º F

The normal body temperature is typically considered to be 98.6º F. This is the average temperature of a healthy human body when measured orally. However, it is important to note that body temperature can vary slightly from person to person and can also fluctuate throughout the day.

Explanation

The normal body temperature is typically considered to be 98.6º F. This is the average temperature of a healthy human body when measured orally. However, it is important to note that body temperature can vary slightly from person to person and can also fluctuate throughout the day.

11. The higher of the two numbers on a blood pressure is the systolic.

True

False

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Explanation

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12. Which of the following can contribute to the development of decubitus ulcers?

Pressure on one body area

Poor skin care

Compromised nutrition status

All of the above

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Explanation

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13. You are providing care to a patient who is hearing impaired. The best method for communicating with the patient is to:

Provide paper and pencil to the patient

Speak loudly into the patient’s ear

Position yourself directly in front of the patient and speak slowly and clearly in a normal tone

Ask the patient which ear is their “good” ear

Positioning yourself directly in front of the patient and speaking slowly and clearly in a normal tone is the best method for communicating with a hearing impaired patient. This allows the patient to see your facial expressions, gestures, and lip movements, which can aid in understanding. Speaking loudly into the patient's ear may distort the sound and make it more difficult for the patient to understand. Providing paper and pencil may be helpful in certain situations, but it should not be the primary method of communication. Asking the patient about their "good" ear is not necessary for effective communication.

Explanation

Positioning yourself directly in front of the patient and speaking slowly and clearly in a normal tone is the best method for communicating with a hearing impaired patient. This allows the patient to see your facial expressions, gestures, and lip movements, which can aid in understanding. Speaking loudly into the patient's ear may distort the sound and make it more difficult for the patient to understand. Providing paper and pencil may be helpful in certain situations, but it should not be the primary method of communication. Asking the patient about their "good" ear is not necessary for effective communication.

14. You are assisting a Parkinson’s patient with the bath. You should:

Complete the total bath for the patient

Encourage the patient to bathe as much of his body as possible

Leave the patient on the side of the bed and unattended while he completes the bath

Bathe the patient in silence

The correct answer is to encourage the patient to bathe as much of his body as possible. This is because Parkinson's disease can cause difficulties with movement and coordination, making it challenging for the patient to perform tasks such as bathing independently. By encouraging the patient to bathe as much of his body as possible, you are promoting independence and self-care, which can help maintain the patient's dignity and sense of control.

Explanation

The correct answer is to encourage the patient to bathe as much of his body as possible. This is because Parkinson's disease can cause difficulties with movement and coordination, making it challenging for the patient to perform tasks such as bathing independently. By encouraging the patient to bathe as much of his body as possible, you are promoting independence and self-care, which can help maintain the patient's dignity and sense of control.

15. The immediate supervisor of the nursing assistant is:

The RN

The LPN

The experienced nursing assistant

All of the above

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Explanation

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16. You have been pulled from the acute care floor to a psych floor to sit with a patient requiring constant observation. You recognize you have been given this assignment because the patient:

Has threatened to hurt himself or others

Is loud and disruptive to the other patients

Requires assistance with eating and toileting

Requires too much time from the nurses

The correct answer is that the patient has threatened to hurt himself or others. This is evident from the given options as the other options do not indicate any immediate danger or harm. The fact that the patient requires constant observation suggests that they pose a risk to themselves or others and need to be closely monitored to prevent any potential harm.

Explanation

The correct answer is that the patient has threatened to hurt himself or others. This is evident from the given options as the other options do not indicate any immediate danger or harm. The fact that the patient requires constant observation suggests that they pose a risk to themselves or others and need to be closely monitored to prevent any potential harm.

17. Which of the following requests is outside the responsibilities of a CNA?

Administration of medications

Auscultation of breathing sounds

Performing procedures requiring the use of sterile technique

All of the above

The responsibilities of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) include assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and providing basic patient care. Administration of medications, auscultation of breathing sounds, and performing procedures requiring sterile technique are all tasks that fall outside the scope of a CNA's responsibilities. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

Explanation

The responsibilities of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) include assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and providing basic patient care. Administration of medications, auscultation of breathing sounds, and performing procedures requiring sterile technique are all tasks that fall outside the scope of a CNA's responsibilities. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above."

18. A nurse has just left a patient’s room when you enter to take the vital signs. You find the patient flat in bed and the bed in high position and all side rails down. You should:

Take the vital signs

Position the patient on their left side and lower the bed

Raise the side rails and consult with the nurse regarding your findings

Document your findings

Upon entering the patient's room, it is important to prioritize the safety of the patient. Finding the patient flat in bed with the bed in a high position and all side rails down poses a potential risk for falls or injury. Therefore, the correct course of action would be to raise the side rails to ensure the patient's safety and then consult with the nurse regarding the findings. This allows for immediate intervention to address any potential safety concerns. Taking vital signs and documenting the findings can be done after ensuring the patient's safety.

Explanation

Upon entering the patient's room, it is important to prioritize the safety of the patient. Finding the patient flat in bed with the bed in a high position and all side rails down poses a potential risk for falls or injury. Therefore, the correct course of action would be to raise the side rails to ensure the patient's safety and then consult with the nurse regarding the findings. This allows for immediate intervention to address any potential safety concerns. Taking vital signs and documenting the findings can be done after ensuring the patient's safety.

19. A patient is receiving continuous tube feedings via a nasogastric tube. Which of the following findings requires an immediate intervention?

The patient is lying flat in bed

The patient’s head is on 1 pillow

The patient is positioned on their right side

The patient is in high Fowler’s position

The patient lying flat in bed while receiving continuous tube feedings via a nasogastric tube requires immediate intervention because it increases the risk of aspiration. When the patient is lying flat, the tube feedings can flow back into the esophagus and potentially enter the lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia. To prevent this, the patient should be positioned in an elevated position, such as high Fowler's position, to promote proper digestion and prevent aspiration.

Explanation

The patient lying flat in bed while receiving continuous tube feedings via a nasogastric tube requires immediate intervention because it increases the risk of aspiration. When the patient is lying flat, the tube feedings can flow back into the esophagus and potentially enter the lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia. To prevent this, the patient should be positioned in an elevated position, such as high Fowler's position, to promote proper digestion and prevent aspiration.

20. 15. A patient has wrist restraints on, secondary to having pulled out their nasogastric tube 5 times. As the nursing assistant, your responsibility regarding restraints is to:

Tie the restraints to the side rails

Release the restraints every two hours and put the extremities through range of motion

Evaluate the need for the restraints every 4 hours

Maintain all 4 side rails up

The correct answer is to release the restraints every two hours and put the extremities through range of motion. This is because restraints should never be tied to the side rails as it can cause harm to the patient. Evaluating the need for restraints every 4 hours is important, but it is not the nursing assistant's responsibility. Maintaining all 4 side rails up is not necessary unless it is specifically ordered by the healthcare provider.

Explanation

The correct answer is to release the restraints every two hours and put the extremities through range of motion. This is because restraints should never be tied to the side rails as it can cause harm to the patient. Evaluating the need for restraints every 4 hours is important, but it is not the nursing assistant's responsibility. Maintaining all 4 side rails up is not necessary unless it is specifically ordered by the healthcare provider.

21. You are bathing an unconscious patient. Which of the following should be reported to the nurse immediately?

Urine in the foley bag appears cloudy

The patient is incontinent of stool

The patient appears to be trying to talk

There is redness and swelling at the IV insertion site

Redness and swelling at the IV insertion site should be reported to the nurse immediately because it could indicate an infection or infiltration of the IV site. Infections can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly, and infiltration can cause tissue damage and compromise the effectiveness of the IV therapy. Therefore, it is important to notify the nurse so that appropriate interventions can be initiated to prevent further harm to the patient.

Explanation

Redness and swelling at the IV insertion site should be reported to the nurse immediately because it could indicate an infection or infiltration of the IV site. Infections can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly, and infiltration can cause tissue damage and compromise the effectiveness of the IV therapy. Therefore, it is important to notify the nurse so that appropriate interventions can be initiated to prevent further harm to the patient.

22. You are assisting a patient to eat. The patient suddenly becomes choked and starts to cough. Which action should you take?

Encourage the patient to continue coughing

Pound the patient on the back

Place the patient on the floor

If a patient suddenly becomes choked and starts to cough, it is important to encourage the patient to continue coughing. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear the airway of any obstruction. By encouraging the patient to cough, it can help to dislodge the object that is causing the choking. This is the safest and most effective initial action to take in this situation. Standing behind the patient, pounding on the back, or delivering blows using a downward motion can potentially cause more harm or push the object further into the airway. Placing the patient on the floor is not necessary in this scenario.

Explanation

If a patient suddenly becomes choked and starts to cough, it is important to encourage the patient to continue coughing. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear the airway of any obstruction. By encouraging the patient to cough, it can help to dislodge the object that is causing the choking. This is the safest and most effective initial action to take in this situation. Standing behind the patient, pounding on the back, or delivering blows using a downward motion can potentially cause more harm or push the object further into the airway. Placing the patient on the floor is not necessary in this scenario.