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A wide range of topics relevant to the role of a nursing assistant, including patient care, medical terminology, and healthcare procedures. It provides information on various medical conditions, symptoms, and treatments, as well as guidelines for proper patient handling, infection control, and communication. The document aims to equip nursing assistants with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings. The content covers topics such as circulatory issues, shock, stroke recovery, mouth care, heart rates, diets, precautions, skin care, and more. This comprehensive resource can serve as a valuable reference for nursing assistants, helping them to better understand their responsibilities and effectively support the healthcare team in delivering optimal patient outcomes.
Typology: Exams
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How long should you soak a patient's fingernails before performing nail care? - ✔️ 10 - 20 minutes (in warm water)
Some patients may have special nail care instructions due to circulatory issues in the hands or feet. Name two diseases that are likely causes of these circulatory issues. - ✔️ Raynaud's disease and diabetes
Signs and symptoms of shock may include - ✔️ low blood pressure, tachycardia (rapid hears rate), clammy & pale skin
What are the two parts of the nervous system? - ✔️ CNA-central nervous system (the brain & the spinal cord) and PNS- peripheral nervous system (the body's nerves)
When not in use, where should dentures be stored? - ✔️ In a denture cup filled with clean water --Storing your dentures in a cup filled with clean water helps prevent damage to the dentures.
When helping a patient who is recovering from a stroke to walk, the nurse aide should assist where? - ✔️ on the patient's weak side
When providing mouth care to a patient, which position should they be in? - ✔️ Fowler's
When feeding a patient, how often should you offer fluids? - ✔️ At minimum, every 3 to 4 bites of food
When shaving a patient, you should always shave in the direction of what? - ✔️ hair growth --When shaving a patient's face, you should shave downward; when shaving the neck, you should shave upward.
What is a partial bath? - ✔️ A partial bath occurs in bed. It differs from a complete bed bath in that the patient is able to perform some of the bath himself, and the healthcare worker is only there for assistance.
When is the best time to bathe a patient? - ✔️ When they choose.
--Although this may be inconvenient to the busy schedule of the nursing assistant, patients have the right to choose when and how often they bathe.
What are some ways you can ensure a safe showering experience for your independent patient? - ✔️ Check the water temperature before the patient gets in the shower, make sure the floor is uncluttered and free of slippery substances, ensure the patency of safety rails and chairs, and have all supplies in easy reaching distance of the patient.
What type of tooth brush bristle is considered the universal best choice? - ✔️ soft --Medium or hard bristle toothbrushes may be considered too irritating for some patients.
What is the normal pulse rate in the average adult? - ✔️ 60 - 100 beats per minute --The average adult should have a pulse rate of 60 beats to 100 beats per minute.
Where would you take a radial pulse? - ✔️ On the radial (thumb) side of the patient's wrist --The radial pulse should be taken using the index and middle fingers.
How far should an enema be inserted into the anus? - ✔️ 2 - 4 inches --If you feel resistance or if the patient complains of pain, stop inserting the enema and report the incident to the nurse.
What is the standard unit of measurement to record fluid intake and output? - ✔️ Cubic centimeters (cc) or milliliters (ml) --Although cc and ml are equal units of measurement, always use the value that is preferred by your facility.
A bedridden patient has a urinary catheter. Where should the drainage bag be stored? - ✔️ The urinary drainage bag should be secured to the bed frame --Never place the urinary drainage bag on a movable part of the bed (such as a side rail) because that may dislodge the catheter.
Your patient has been placed on I&O this means you should... - ✔️ Record all the fluid intake and output
Muscle astrophy - ✔️ muscles decrease, typically due to lack of movement and exercise
Before meals & After meals - ✔️ before= AC After= PC
Muskuloskeletal System -
✔️ gives the body framework, protects organs, allows movement, and maintains structure
7 Signs of Cancer - ✔️ 1 Change in bowel or bladder habits 2 A sore that does not heal 3 Unusual bleeding or discharge 4 Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere 5 Indigestion or difficulty swallowing 6 Obvious change in wart or mole 7Nagging cough or hoarseness
Fecal Incontinence - ✔️ The inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak or ooze unexpectedly from the rectum.
Tachycardia - ✔️ fast heart rate (greater than 100 bpm)
Brachycardia - ✔️ slow heart rate (less than 60 bmp)
Clear Liquid Diet - ✔️ foods that turn to liquid at room temperature & you can see through ex. grape juice, broth, jell-o, popsicles NOT ORANGE JUICE OR PUDDING
Abbreviation for 3x a day - ✔️ TID or T.I.D.
The last sense to leave the body - ✔️ hearing
Varicose Veins - ✔️ Result from weakened valves --abnormally swollen and twisted veins, usually occurring in the legs
Which is the best way to prevent joint and muscle damage? - ✔️ active & passive exercises
Range of Motion (ROM) - ✔️ provide a way to maintain joint flexibility Passive-- someone moves joints w/ no help from the client Active-- client does on own or with help of devices
Your patient is in contact precautions. What does this mean? - ✔️ Contact precautions signal that a patient has an infection that can be transmitted through touch.
It is necessary to wear a gown, gloves, and sometimes a mask when caring for these patients, as their infection could be transmitted to you or others.
ex. MRSA, VRE, Diarrheal illnesses
Droplet precautions - ✔️ Must be followed for a patient known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large-particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing.
Wear mask, gown, and gloves
Ex. influenza, pneumonia, Corona virus
Airborne precautions - ✔️ used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet
Eye protection, N95 respirator, gown, gloves
Ex. TB, chicken pox, measles
When heat is applied to the skin, blood vessels... - ✔️ dilate or open up --delivers more blood, letting muscles relax.. heat also brings more oxygen & nutrients to site which promotes healing
Proper temperature for a soapsuds enema - ✔️ 105 degrees, warmer than body temperature
What is the most important thing you can do to prevent infection? - ✔️ Wash your hands.
Apical Pulse - ✔️ pulse taken with a stethoscope and near the apex of the heart (count for 1 full minute)
Edema - ✔️ swelling
QD QOD - ✔️ Every day = Q is Every, D is day Evert other day = Q is every, O is other, D is day
When making a bed raise the bed.... -
✔️ to your waist level, you should be able to stand straight to prevent back injury
Colostomy - ✔️ creation of an artificial opening into the colon
Blood Pressure - ✔️ normal blood pressure = systolic less than 120 & diastolic less than 80
systolic blood pressure - ✔️ the point where the 1 st sound is hear the top # of the read (systolic=sky so it is upper)
Systole= the period where the heart muscles contract
Prehypertension & Hypertension - ✔️ pre = 120 - 139 & 80 - 89 hypertension = 140 & 90 or higher
Major risks for a stroke - ✔️ hypertension
Diabetics & toe nail clipping - ✔️ diabetics often have neuropathy, nerve damage, so they can't feel if their feet are injured... they should receive expert care on their feet from a podiatrist
What acronym can be used to direct your actions in the event of a fire? - ✔️ RACE R - Rescue everyone in danger. A - Pull the fire alarm. C - Confine or contain the fire. E - Extinguish the fire if you can safely do so.
How often should you reposition an immobile patient? - ✔️ at least every 2 hours --Prolonged exposure to pressure is the primary factor of a pressure ulcer, and repositioning an immobile patient every 2 hours helps avoid or minimize this exposure.
What is the first sign a patient may be developing a pressure sore? - ✔️ The skin appears reddened or discolored, and it does not blanch (turn white) when touched. It also may feel hard or warm.
What are acceptable reasons for discharge or transfer? - ✔️ Medical reasons, for the benefit of patient welfare or the welfare of other patients/residents, or for nonpayment
Patients have the right to be free from restraints unless what is obtained? - ✔️ An authorization (order) from a physician --Orders for restraints must be written for a specific and limited time period, with the intention of preventing the patient from harming himself or others.
A patient requests details regarding their medical condition. What should you do? - ✔️ Report their request to a registered nurse (RN) or doctor. --As a nursing assistant, you can only answer questions that are within your scope of practice. Any questions related to a patient's medical condition should be directed toward the attending physician or RN.
Who is responsible for choosing which pharmacy a patient uses? - ✔️ The patient or their power of attorney --Every patient has the right to choose their own pharmacy.
Visitation for married couples is an example of which patient right? - ✔️ Privacy --Every married couple has the right to a private visitation.
A patient has elected to have her daughter manage her finances. To do this legally, what document must be obtained? - ✔️ a power of attorney --A power of attorney is a legal document that grants decision-making power to someone else.
A patient is refusing a treatment that the doctor prescribed. What should you do? - ✔️ Report the refusal to a supervisor and document what happened in the patient's chart. --Patients have a legal right to refuse any treatment that is recommended to them.
Your patient is DNR. What does this mean? - ✔️ Do Not Resuscitate --Patients have the legal right to refuse life-prolonging treatments, such as CPR or mechanical ventilation. DNR orders must be obtained from a physician.
What is informed consent? - ✔️ The process of getting a patient's written permission before performing a healthcare procedure. --To give informed consent, the patient must have complete understanding of the facts and risks associated with a procedure.
Which conditions would prevent a patient from being able to give informed consent?
What is empathy? - ✔️ Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another without pitying them.
Smiling at a patient is which type of communication? - ✔️ nonverbal --Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, and body language
Would vital signs be considered primary or secondary data? - ✔️ Primary --Any type of information obtained directly from the patient and not an outside source is considered primary data.
Your patient says he feels feverish and you noticed he is flushed and shaking. In this scenario, which information is subjective and which is objective? - ✔️ The patient stating he feels feverish is subjective; the fact that he is flushed and shaking is objective. --Subjective data cannot be measured or observed, whereas objective data can be.
The patient's blood pressure is 145/79. Would this data be considered qualitative or quantitative? - ✔️ Quantitative --Quantitative data deal with numbers and things that can be measured, whereas qualitative data deal with words.
How might a diagnosis of Parkinson's affect a patient's ability to communicate? - ✔️ Those with Parkinson's may have trouble speaking or develop a "masklike" expression that makes it difficult for them to convey how they are feeling through facial expressions.
You are meeting new patients for the first time. How should you address them? - ✔️ Mr., Mrs., Ms, or Dr. (depending on their title), followed by their last name --Unless the patient asks you to call them otherwise, it is best to address them by their title and last name. This is both professional and respectful.
You are caring for a patient who is hearing impaired. What are some things you can do to make sure you are communicating effectively? - ✔️ Face the patient so they can see your mouth, speak clearly and distinctly, try to minimize background noise, have them repeat information back to you, and provide information in writing when necessary.
Crossing your arms in front of you may convey what? - ✔️ Crossing your arms in front of you can be a nonverbal way of communicating defensiveness, lack of trust, or resistance. --Try to avoid crossing your arms in front of your patient so they do not view you as unapproachable.
When documenting patient care, you should write as if who were going to read it? - ✔️ A legal professional
--Documentation of patient care should always be thorough and accurate. If an investigation is ever done regarding patient care or outcomes, patient care documentation will be reviewed by legal professionals.
What are some symptoms of delirium? - ✔️ inability to recognize familiar things, places, or people; hallucinations; combative, restless, agitated, fearful, or angry behavior; inability to focus; rambling speech
What is a perceived loss? - ✔️ a loss that is unable to be verified by others --For example, a resident may feel he is no longer valuable to society now that he is not in the workforce.
Spiritual and religious needs often ____ with injury or illness. - ✔️ increase --Usually when patients face a terminal illness, religious and spiritual factors become part of their coping strategy.
What are the five stages of grief put forth by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross? - ✔️ Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance --The five stages of grief are more easily remembered by the acronym DABDA.
Insomnia, tachycardia, sweating, loss of appetite, and feelings of fright and worry are all symptoms of what? - ✔️ anxiety
How does aging affect sexual desire? - ✔️ Aging does not affect sexual desire. --Although conditions such as diabetes or a stroke may limit or prevent the response to sexual desire, sexual desire itself does not decrease with age.
According to Maslow, what is the third level of human need after physical and safety needs are met? - ✔️ love and belonging
In Alzheimer's and dementia patients, the fear, sadness, anxiety, and/or anger that occurs in the evening may attributed to what phenomena? - ✔️ sundowning --Many dementia and Alzheimer's patients exhibit signs of Sundowners Syndrome in the evening, though scientists are not entirely sure why it occurs.
A patient with dementia is agitated and pacing her room. What are some things you can do to calm her down? - ✔️ Listen to her frustration, provide reassurance, minimize background noise and distractions, check for triggers (such as hunger, a full bladder, or signs of infection), offer a simple enjoyable activity, such as a walk.
Your patient seems to be eating less and is withdrawing from friends and activities she used to like. You suspect she may exhibiting signs of '__'. -
✔️ depression --A CNA cannot diagnose depression but should recognize its symptoms so that the proper professionals can be contacted.
The "Resident's Bill of Rights" was put out by which group? - ✔️ The American Hospital Association (AHA) --The American Hospital Association put out the Patient's Bill of Rights in 1973. It was quickly followed by the Resident's Bill of Rights for those living in long-term care facilities.
You witness a co-worker sexually abusing a patient and do not report it. Which type of liable act are you guilty of committing? - ✔️ Aiding and abetting --Knowing about an unlawful act and failing to report it is considered aiding and abetting. Previous FlashcardNext Flashcard
When handling a patient's valuables (such as money or jewelry), you should always have a ____ to avoid potential legal issues. - ✔️ A witness
As it regards to abuse complaints, what is meant by the term "grievance without retaliation"? - ✔️ A patient should be able to express concerns or displeasure with their care without fear of punishment or retaliation from staff or the healthcare facility.
What or who determines the scope of practice for healthcare professionals? - ✔️ the laws of the state where you reside --Laws in each state outline specific tasks healthcare workers such as RNs, LPNs, and CNAs can and cannot preform.
A CNA leaves a confused patient outside without supervision and she wanders off and is struck by a car and killed. What legal behavior would the CNA likely be found guilty of? - ✔️ criminal negligence --Criminal negligence occurs when a healthcare professional is very reckless with a patient's health or safety.
What is nonmaleficence? - ✔️ Simply put, it means "do no harm." --Furthermore, nonmaleficence is a principle that states that medical practitioners must refrain from providing ineffective treatments or acting with malice toward patients.
What is the difference between assault and battery? - ✔️ Assault is the threat of harm; battery is the actual inflicting of injury.
You overhear a coworker saying cruel things about a patient that you know to be false. Your coworker could be found guilty of what? -
✔️ slander --Slander is the act of verbally making false or damaging statements about someone. Slander can carry legal repercussions if brought to court.
What is false imprisonment? - ✔️ the unlawful restraint of someone against his/her will and without legal justification --In a hospital or nursing home environment, false imprisonment can occur with physical restraints, drugs, or threats.
You are working with a DO. What does this mean? - ✔️ A DO is a a Doctor of Osteopathy. Their credentials are largely the same of that as an MD, but their training focuses on a more holistic approach.
What is the role of a phlebotomist? - ✔️ The phlebotomist collects blood for laboratory or clinical tests.
Which member of the healthcare team is responsible for recommending and instructing a patient on how to use adaptive equipment that can assist with ADLs? - ✔️ Occupational Therapist
A patient is on mechanical ventilation that keeps reading an error code. The nurse in charge is unable to solve the problem. Who should you call next? - ✔️ a respiratory therapist --Among other things, respiratory therapists are responsible for and familiar with care involving mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP).
Who is the most important part of the healthcare team? - ✔️ the patient --Doctors, nurses, CNAs, and other support staff all work together to focus on the most important member of the healthcare team: the patient.
A doctor asks you to change a patient's IV. What should you do? - ✔️ Tell her that is not within your scope of practice and offer to get someone who can assist, such as the RN caring for the patient.
The duties a CNA is legally able to perform can vary according to what? - ✔️ where the CNA lives
What is meant by the term "resident physician"? - ✔️ A resident physician is an MD or DO who is both training in a specialty and practicing as a healthcare provider.
List the following in order of medical responsibility (from greatest to least): Physician's Assistant (PA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Doctor, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Registered Nurse (RN). -
✔️ Doctor, Physician's Assistant (PA), Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
How is a CNA different from a Medical Assistant (MA)? - ✔️ Although the patient care aspect of their jobs can be similar, CNAs typically have more direct patient care, while MAs tend to take on a more administrative and clerical role. CNAs typically require more training and report to LPNs or RNs, whereas MAs often report to office managers or physicians.
The patient you will be assisting has a flaccid extremity. What does this mean? - ✔️ "Flaccid" is another word for "limp." --Limp arms or legs are often caused by a stroke.
A patient has hemiplegia on his right side due to stroke. Which part of his brain was affected? - ✔️ The left side --A stroke on one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body.
If you are assisting a patient with left-sided hemiplegia to walk, in what hand should you place their cane? - ✔️ the right
A patient is on a dysphagia diet. Name a few ways you can help them have a safe feeding experience. - ✔️ Allow them lots of time to chew and swallow, offer them thickened liquids, and keep them upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding.
While performing passive range of motion on a patient's lower legs, she suddenly begins complaining of sharp pains in her left calf. What should you do? - ✔️ Stop and report the complaint to a nurse. --Pain in the calves can be a symptom of blood clots and should be reported immediately.
Walking is an example of which type of motor function? - ✔️ Gross --Gross motor functions are bigger movements. They typically involve the arms, legs, and torso.
When should cold therapy be used to treat an injury? - ✔️ immediately after the injury occurs to decrease blood flow and swelling --Cold therapy should be used with care because it can cause tissue damage if done improperly.
What is a TENS machine? - ✔️ A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine uses nerve signals to help treat the pain associated with arthritis, sprains, and other aliments.
Which government act, signed by President Reagan, set a minimum standard for long-term care facilities so that each resident could "attain and maintain her highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being"? - ✔️ Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA)
What are some health risks associated with immobility? - ✔️ pressure sores, constipation, blood clots, edema, muscle atrophy, contractures, pneumonia, osteoporosis, and loss of apetite
During Lent, it would be inappropriate to offer a Catholic patient which food on Friday? - ✔️ meat --During the Lenten season, many Catholics abstain from eating meat, though most do make an exception for fish.
In some Asian and Hispanic cultures, direct eye contact may be seen as ____? - ✔️ aggressive, rude, or confrontational
What is culture? - ✔️ Culture is the shared set of customs, practices, beliefs, and attitudes that are unique to a specific group of people.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur would most likely be important to which type of patient? - ✔️ Jewish
To overcome language barriers, your patient requires the use of an interpreter. How should this change your interactions with the patient? - ✔️ It shouldn't. You should still address the patient like you would normally.
What should you do if you are uncomfortable participating in a patient's religious practices? - ✔️ Talk to a the RN caring for the patient, who can help direct you toward a hospital chaplain or other religious figure who will assist in meeting the patient's religious and spiritual needs.
How can you best support a patient's spiritual needs? - ✔️ Take the time to listen to what matters most to them. Treat their beliefs and ideas with caring and respect, even if you do not necessarily agree with them.
What is ethnocentrism? - ✔️ Ethnocentrism is judging another culture based on your own cultural beliefs and experiences.
You have a patient who insists on praying five times a day at specific times. Based on this information, you know he likely is a practicing "__ ." - ✔️ Muslim --Salat, or Muslim prayer, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Generally speaking, which cultures typically would frown upon a male caretaker caring for a female patient? - ✔️ Arab, Middle Eastern, Orthodox Jewish --Other groups may be uncomfortable with a male caretaker as well, such as female abuse victims or elderly women.
The circulatory system consists of... - ✔️ heart, arteries, veins, capillaries
The opening of the colostomy to the outside of the body is called the - ✔️ stoma --the artificial opening in the body done during surgery
CVA - ✔️ also known as a stroke
Which of the following personal qualities is a nursing assistant demonstrating when he or she accepts his or her own limitations? - ✔️ Honesty
Honesty is the personal quality in which the nursing assistant demonstrates his or her acceptance of his or her own limitations, along with understanding the job's duties and holding oneself accountable for what he or she does.
Caring - ✔️ is the act of having an earnest concern for the patients' safety and wellbeing and having the willingness to care for and about the patients
Dependability - ✔️ is your employer's ability to count you to show up for work and to care for your patient
Accountability - ✔️ is your ability to perform the job duties for which you have been trained and to bring up any concerns privately with your immediate supervisor
When a facility decides to transfer or to discharge a patient, how much time MUST the facility provide to the resident or resident's representative before they may do so? - ✔️ Within 30 days
this rule is enforced by the "Resident's Bill of Rights" that was issued after the American Hospital Association issued "A Patient's Bill of Rights" in 1973
An elderly patient who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease may be affected by all of the following EXCEPT: - ✔️ The ability to learn new skills
Parkinson's disease may cause patients to have chronic conditions, which include muscle tremors or arthritis that may affect their ability to walk, stand, or stoop. Patients who have difficulty walking or standing are more apt to fall, which could lead to injuries that will require hospitalization. However, Parkinson's disease will not affect an elderly patient's ability to learn, nor does the aging process
MRSA - ✔️ A life threatening skin disease that spreads through the blood stream
Scabies - ✔️ skin rash that is caused by an infestation of tiny mites
Shingles - ✔️ is a viral skin condition that infects the patient's nerve path
What are two general goals of skin care when bathing a patient? - ✔️ Promote comfort and remove pathogens
Physical signs that a resident is in pain - ✔️ tachycardia (increased pulse), tachypnea (increased respirations), and dyspnea (difficulty breathing) are all physical signs of pain.
Other indicators of pain can include: sweating, grunting, crying, or moaning
What should you do when recording observations? - ✔️ You are only permitted to use blue or black ink when recording patient information. It is mandatory that you sign your name and title to all entries that you make. It is okay to make mistakes when documenting; however, you should not scratch out the mistakes, nor should you erase them or use a liquid eraser.
If you are asked to place a patient in the Sim's position, how will you place them? - ✔️ On his or her side with the patient's undermost arm positioned at his or her back
The tympanic membrane temperature is one in which you - ✔️ take the patient's temperature using his or her ear
When applying a condom catheter, what do you need to do? - ✔️ Leave a one-inch space between the catheter and the penis
A patient who is dysphasic is one who has trouble - ✔️ Speaking
If a patient is in tears, his or her pain level is at a - ✔️ 5
Which of the following actions do NOT decrease with age? - ✔️ Need to sleep
An elderly patient needs just as much sleep as any other adult; therefore, their need to sleep does not decrease with age. It is essential that an elderly patient has time to rest and to take naps, as it is essential for the patient's health. An elderly patient's appetite does decrease with age, along with their need to urinate or pass feces from their body
What approach should be taken with your patient? - ✔️ Prevention
You should take the preventative approach with your patients. You should help your patients by preventing them from being harmed or becoming weaker or immobile