CNA Exam Questions

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141.

The best time to obtain an individual's weight is:

  • First thing in the morning; before breakfast

  • At bedtime

  • In the middle of the day; before lunch

  • Only after exercise

Correct answer: First thing in the morning, before breakfast

The best time to obtain a weight is first thing in the morning, before any food or fluids have been eaten. Weigh patients at the same time each day. Be sure to have them remove their shoes and clothing - they may wear a gown for weighing.

142.

The Grant family has just lost a loved one. A family member informs you that their culture does not permit a deceased person to be left alone before burial. Hospital policy states that all bodies are to be stored in the hospital morgue. How would you best handle this situation?

  • Notify the nurse about the cultural concern

  • Gently explain the hospital policy to the family and then implement it

  • Call the deceased patient's primary care provider for advice

  • Move the deceased patient to an empty room and stay with the body yourself

Correct answer: Notify the nurse about the cultural concern

You should notify the nurse about the family's cultural concern. Do not try to explain the hospital policy to the family and do not take the matter into your own hands.

143.

CNAs are responsible for:

  • Performing tasks as assigned by a licensed nurse

  • Planning patient care

  • Evaluating outcomes

  • Assessment of patients

Correct answer: Performing tasks as assigned by a licensed nurse

Assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation fall under the role of the registered nurse. CNAs perform nursing tasks related to the patient's care that are assigned to them by a licensed nurse. 

144.

What is the best way to support a blind patient when helping him or her walk?

  • Allow the patient to hold on to your arm

  • Allow the patient to use a cane

  • Ask the patient to buy a guide dog

  • Hold the patient around their waist

Correct answer: Allow the patient to hold on to your arm

You should allow the blind patient to hold your arm while walking. This allows the patient some independence and promotes safety while ambulating.

145.

Which of the following is true regarding washing a patient's face and eyes?

  • Wipe the eyes from the inner canthus to the outer canthus

  • Wipe the eyes from the outer canthus to the inner canthus

  • Use soap, warm water and a washcloth

  • Use your index finger to remove dried secretions from the inner canthus

Correct answer: Wipe the eyes from the inner canthus to the outer canthus

To avoid irritation, use warm water only (no soap) when washing the face and cleaning around the eyes. Wipe the eyes from the inner canthus to the outer canthus, changing to a clean part of the washcloth between eyes. Never use your fingers to remove secretions from the eye.

146.

All of the following statements regarding a patient's skin as death approaches are true except:

  • Pressure ulcers are an expected consequence of dying

  • Skin may appear mottled or pale

  • The person may experience sweating to the upper body as circulation to the extremities fails

  • Body temperature often rises as death approaches

Correct answer: Pressure ulcers are an expected consequence of dying

Pressure ulcers result from unrelieved pressure. You can prevent pressure ulcers from occurring by repositioning the patient frequently, maintaining proper body alignment. As death approaches, many changes in the skin occur, including mottling of the extremities, pallor or flushing of the face, and sweating and fever related to dehydration.

147.

All of the following activities support the patient's rights except:

  • Providing treatment after the patient has refused because it is in the best interest of the patient

  • Encouraging the patient to feed themselves, even if it takes a long time

  • Encouraging the patient to walk with assistance

  • Allowing the patient to choose what clothes to wear

Correct answer: Providing treatment after the patient has refused because it is in the best interest of the patient

The patient always has the right to refuse treatment. A patient who does not give consent or refuses treatment cannot be treated against his or her wishes.

Patients should always be encouraged to be as independent as possible. This means allowing them to do all that they can for themselves, even if these activities take longer. A sense of independence strengthens self-esteem and coping skills.

148.

When cleaning dentures you should be sure to:

  • Wear gloves

  • Hold the dentures with tongs

  • Wear a mask

  • Use hot water

Correct answer: Wear gloves

Always wear gloves when cleaning dentures. Do not use very hot water as the dentures may warp. Use a clean cloth or piece of gauze to hold the dentures and clean them over a basin of water lined with a towel to prevent the dentures from breaking if you should drop them. You do not need to wear a mask. 

149.

Cords and wires should be ______ to prevent individuals from tripping over them.

  • Out of the way

  • Cut

  • Wrapped with yellow tape

  • Stapled to the floor

Correct answer: Out of the way

Cords and wires can be easily tripped over, particularly by individuals with impaired mobility. Tape cords and wires next to the wall to prevent falls due to tripping.

Never cut a cord. Wrapping a cord with tape or stapling it to the floor still poses a hazard for tripping.

150.

You are assisting in admitting a new elderly patient to the unit. You are assisting the patient to change into a hospital gown. Which of the following should be reported to the patient's nurse?

  • A large bruise

  • Long fingernails

  • Unkempt hair

  • Dirt in the navel

Correct answer: A large bruise

A bruise may be a sign of a recent fall and may be associated with injury. Bruises in unusual places may also be a sign of abuse. Report all bruises to the nurse so that the bruise(s) can be assessed and documented. The other choices are observations that should be documented, but are not necessarily cause for alarm.

151.

You go to plug in a patient's fan and notice that the electrical cord is frayed. What should you do?

  • Remove the fan from the patient's room and notify maintenance or the nurse

  • Plug in the patient's fan and watch to see if any sparks or smoke can be seen. If you don't notice anything, the fan is safe to use.

  • Apply black electrical tape to the frayed area of the cord

  • Do nothing as maintenance is not your responsibility

Correct answer: Remove the fan from the patient's room and notify maintenance or the nurse

Faulty equipment can cause fires, burns, and electrical shocks. If you notice that a piece of equipment is in poor repair or is not functioning properly, do not use it. Remove it from the patient's room and notify either the nurse or maintenance, depending upon your facility's policy.

152.

Which of the following is a common complication of influenza (the flu)?

  • Pneumonia

  • Urinary tract infection

  • Cellulitis

  • Gastroenteritis

Correct answer: Pneumonia

Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Pneumonia is a frequent complication of influenza. Older individuals, small children, and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of developing pneumonia following infection with influenza. UTIs, cellulitis, and gastroenteritis are not typically complications from influenza.

153.

Which of the following is the least important factor to consider when providing personal hygiene care?

  • Age

  • Privacy

  • Dignity

  • Personal preferences

Correct answer: Age

Hygiene and personal care are private matters. It is important to preserve privacy and dignity as much as possible when providing personal care. It is also important to respect the individual's personal preferences. Patient safety must also be taken into consideration. Age isn't a primary factor, as the process is the same for all ages depending on gender.

154.

Your patient has a new cast on her arm, from the hand to just above the elbow. For which of the following should you routinely assess?

  • Color, movement, and sensation of fingers

  • Sensation and hardness of the cast

  • Core body temperature

  • Radial and brachial pulses

Correct answer: Color, movement, and sensation of fingers

Assessing the color and sensation of the fingers, as well as the patient's ability to move the fingers, tells you that blood supply to the affected fingers has not been compromised due to the cast being too tight. You will not be able to assess a radial pulse because the wrist will be covered by the cast. A brachial pulse would not provide any information about blood supply to the fingers. Core body temperature is irrelevant to assessment of a new cast. Hardness of the cast may be assessed, but not in conjunction with sensation.

155.

Your patient states he cannot eat the meal provided due to religious beliefs. You should:

  • Offer to substitute another acceptable meal

  • Tell him that he will have to go hungry because substitutions are not allowed

  • Insist that he eat the meal that was provided for him

  • Ask the nurse to inform the kitchen the next day

Correct answer: Offer to substitute another acceptable meal

Going without a meal is not an option. Waiting until the next day to inform the kitchen means that the patient will likely be offered another meal that goes against his religious beliefs. Patients have the right to care that respects their religious values and beliefs (within reason).

156.

You have been instructed to encourage your patient to bathe independently. What should you do?

  • Place the patient's bathing supplies within easy reach and assist as necessary

  • Place the patient's bathing supplies within easy reach and leave the patient alone

  • Place the patient's bathing supplies within easy reach and ask the patient's roommate to call if the patient needs assistance

  • Wash the patient and explain what you are doing so that the patient can do it himself the next time

Correct answer: Place the patient's bathing supplies within easy reach and assist as necessary

You should place the patient's bathing supplies within easy reach and stay with the patient. Encourage the patient to bathe independently and only intervene if it is clear that the patient cannot do something on his own. Do not leave the patient unattended.

157.

Which specimen will require the female patient to cleanse the perineum prior to collection?

  • Midstream clean-catch urine specimen

  • Stool for occult blood specimen

  • Vaginal swab for culture

  • 24-hour urine specimen for urine protein

Correct answer: Midstream clean-catch urine specimen

Female patients will be required to cleanse the perineum prior to collecting a midstream clean-catch urine specimen. This is done to reduce the number of microbes in the urethral area. The patient starts to void into the device. Then the patient stops the urine stream and a sterile specimen container is positioned. The person voids into the container until the specimen is obtained.

The vaginal swab, 24-hour urine specimen for protein, and the stool for occult blood specimen samples do not require cleansing the perineum prior to collecting the sample(s).

158.

Your patient insists that there are spiders crawling all over the walls. She is clearly terrified. What should you do?

  • Offer her comfort and report the hallucination to the patient's nurse

  • Tell her you see the spiders too

  • Pretend to kill the spiders with your shoe

  • Tell her she is imaging things and leave her alone while you complete your duties

Correct answer: Offer her comfort and report the hallucination to the patient's nurse

Stay with the hallucinating patient and offer comfort. Report the hallucination to the nurse. Do not tell the patient that you see what she is seeing. Remain calm and positive. Do not leave the patient alone. If possible, ask another worker to inform the patient's nurse while you stay with the patient.

159.

Your patient's leg has been splinted after the patient fell and suffered a sprain. The patient states that the splint is hurting his leg and asks you to remove it. What should you do?

  • Report the patient's complaint of pain to the patient's nurse

  • Remove the splint and massage the painful area

  • Remove the splint and assess the skin for redness, swelling, or irritation

  • Call the patient's physician

Correct answer: Report the patient's complaint of pain to the patient's nurse

Report the patient's complaint of pain to the nurse. Do not remove the splint yourself. You should not massage an area that is painful unless instructed that it is safe to do so. The nurse will assess the site and determine if she needs to notify the physician.

160.

How many servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day according to the Food Guide?

  • Five servings per day

  • Two servings per day

  • Four servings per day

  • Eight servings per day

Correct answer: Five servings per day

Fruits and vegetables provide many nutrients including vitamins, minerals, iron, magnesium, and carbohydrates. You should eat five servings daily and you should choose dark leafy green vegetables, orange fruits and vegetables, and cooked dry beans and peas as often as possible. Women should eat between two and 2 1/2 servings of vegetables and 1 1/2 to two servings of fruit daily, while men should aim for 2 1/2 to three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily.