CNA Certification (Written Exam) flashcards

During Active Range of Motion (AROM) exercises, residents perform movements themselves. Key safety rule: stop if pain occurs.

• Resident performs exercises independently.
• CNA observes and encourages.
• Pain is a warning sign; stop immediately.

Memory trick: Pain is the brain's warning signal, stop the motion, be vital!

The entry of formula or gastric contents into the respiratory tract, a serious complication of feeding tube care.

• Signs include coughing, choking, shortness of breath, gurgling breath sounds.
• Can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
• Requires immediate nursing assessment.
• Prevention includes proper positioning, checking tube placement, and monitoring feeding tolerance.

Memory trick: Coughing or breathless, tube feeding's distress; call the nurse, no less.

The immediate steps a nurse aide should take if a resident begins to fall or appears to be losing balance during ambulation.

• Do not try to stop the fall completely if it means injury to yourself or the resident.
• Gently lower the resident to the floor to control the fall.
• Protect the resident's head during the descent.
• Once on the floor, assess for injury and call for help.

Memory trick: When they sway, gently lay; safety first, don't delay.

Ensuring the commode is stable and secure before resident transfer is paramount to prevent falls and injuries.

• Always lock commode wheels.
• Position commode close to the bed/chair.
• Assist resident with transfer safely.

Memory trick: Lock the Wheels, Avoid the Tumblin' Reels!

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of patient health information. Healthcare providers, including CNAs, are legally and ethically bound to protect this information.

• PHI is Protected Health Information.
• Only share PHI on a 'need-to-know' basis.
• Sharing PHI without consent is a HIPAA violation.

Memory trick: HIPAA says 'Hands Off Private info, Always!'

Movement of a limb or body part away from the midline of the body.

• Often associated with lifting arms or legs outwards.
• Opposite of adduction.
• Important for daily activities like reaching.

Memory trick: AB-duct a kid from the midline, AD-duct them back.

Interventions for hand contractures focus on preventing skin breakdown and maintaining hygiene in fisted hands, often by utilizing hand rolls or cones.

• Prevents skin-on-skin irritation and maceration.
• Facilitates cleaning of palms.
• Hand rolls/cones provide gentle separation.

Memory trick: Contractures cause skin strife, hand rolls give hands new life.

Strategies used to prevent residents, especially those with cognitive impairments, from leaving a care facility unsupervised and potentially endangering themselves.

• Prioritize resident safety and dignity.
• Use non-pharmacological interventions first.
• Redirection and engagement are key techniques.

Memory trick: Wanderers need gentle guiding, not gates.

When assisting a resident with one-sided weakness, always position yourself on the weaker side to provide direct support and guard against falls.

• Stand on the weak side.
• Use a gait belt for secure grip.
• Be prepared to brace or lower the resident.

Memory trick: Weak side guard, strong side lead.

An advanced directive (e.g., living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare) is a legal document outlining a person's wishes regarding future medical care. CNAs must be aware of these and report changes in condition to the nurse, who will ensure the directive is followed.

• Advanced directives guide future medical decisions.
• CNAs do not interpret or act on directives directly.
• Always report relevant changes to the nurse.

Memory trick: Directive change? Notify the nurse, don't deviate.

For brittle nails and dry cuticles, soaking in warm water is crucial before trimming or managing to soften them and prevent injury or breakage.

• Soaking makes nails pliable and cuticles softer.
• Avoid harsh tools or chemicals that can further dry or damage nails.
• Report any signs of infection or severe dryness to the nurse.

Memory trick: Brittle Nails? Soak 'em, don't Poke 'em!

Strategies for assisting residents with cognitive impairment include simplifying choices, using visual cues, and providing step-by-step guidance to promote independence and reduce frustration.

• Break tasks into smaller steps.
• Use visual aids or gestures.
• Maintain a calm and patient demeanor.
• Offer choices when appropriate.

Memory trick: Simplify, Show, Support: The 3 S's for Success!

The sequence of washing during a partial bed bath progresses from cleanest to dirtiest areas to prevent cross-contamination and ensure proper hygiene.

• Wash face, neck, and ears first.
• Proceed to arms, hands, chest, abdomen.
• Wash legs and feet next.
• Perineal area is always washed last.

Memory trick: Clean First, Dirty Last, Stay Healthy Fast!

A technique for assisting residents with one-sided weakness to dress, prioritizing the affected limb for comfort and ease.

• Dress the weaker side first.
• Undress the stronger side first.
• Promotes comfort and prevents injury.

Memory trick: Weak FIRST, Strong LAST (when dressing).

Clinical indicators that a person is having difficulty breathing and is not getting enough oxygen.

• Labored breathing (dyspnea)
• Shallow respirations
• Use of accessory muscles (neck, shoulder, abdominal)
• Nasal flaring, grunting (especially in children)

Memory trick: Struggling to Breathe? Look for the '3 S's': Struggle, Shallow, Shoulder muscles!

Blood pressure readings consistently above 120/80 mmHg but below 140/90 mmHg are considered elevated or Stage 1 hypertension.

• Normal: <120/80 mmHg.
• Elevated: 120-129/<80 mmHg.
• Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89 mmHg.
• Requires reporting to the nurse.

Memory trick: Normal's Low, Elevated's Up, Crisis is High.

Conditions or recent activities that make the oral route unsuitable for accurate temperature measurement.

• Recent consumption of hot/cold food/drink
• Smoking within the last 15-20 minutes
• Oral surgery or injury
• Unconscious or confused resident

Memory trick: Don't Rush When Taking a Temp, Be Smart About the Mouth

An SpO2 reading below 95% (typically 90-94% depending on facility policy or baseline) indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate reporting.

• Normal SpO2: 95-100%.
• Below 95% is concerning.
• Below 90% is critical.
• Always report low readings to the nurse.

Memory trick: Oxy-GEN Levels: Good, Low, Report.

Accurate and complete labeling of all collected specimens (urine, stool, sputum, etc.) is a critical step to ensure patient safety, prevent misdiagnosis, and maintain the integrity and reliability of laboratory results.

• Prevents misidentification of specimens.
• Ensures correct test results for the correct patient.
• Required for legal and ethical compliance.
• Labeling occurs immediately after collection.

Memory trick: Label it, Lock it, Log it, or you've lost it!

After cast application, immediate reporting of signs like numbness, tingling, severe pain, pallor, or coldness in the affected extremity is crucial, as these can indicate serious circulatory or nerve compromise.

• Circulatory impairment is a critical concern with casts.
• Numbness/tingling indicates nerve compression or poor circulation.
• Prompt reporting prevents permanent tissue damage.

Memory trick: The 5 Ps: Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis. Report them fast!

Maintaining the quality and purity of a stool sample to ensure accurate diagnostic test results.

• Avoid urine contamination
• Avoid toilet paper
• Collect from different areas of the stool if possible
• Use a clean, dry container

Memory trick: Keep the stool clean and dry, don't let urine get nigh!

The proper technique for measuring a person's height using a standing scale with a height rod to ensure precision.

• Resident stands straight, heels together
• Back against the rod (if applicable)
• Head in neutral position, looking straight ahead
• Shoes off

Memory trick: Stand Tall, Look Straight, Feet Together, Get it Right!

The standard conversion of fluid ounces to milliliters, where 1 fluid ounce (oz) is equivalent to 30 milliliters (mL).

• 1 oz = 30 mL (standard for I&O)
• Essential for accurate intake/output charting
• Applies to all liquid intake (water, juice, soup, gelatin, ice cream)
• Helps monitor fluid balance

Memory trick: Ounces to mL: Just Multiply by 30, then Add!

The standard conversion for fluid measurement is 1 ounce (oz) equals 30 milliliters (mL).

• Crucial for accurate I&O charting.
• Applies to all fluids (water, juice, soup, etc.).
• Used in healthcare settings globally.

Memory trick: One Ounce, Thirty Milliliters, Easy to Remember.

Accurately measuring the weight of residents who cannot stand requires specialized equipment like bed scales or chair scales to ensure safety and precision in health monitoring.

• Essential for tracking fluid balance and nutritional status.
• Requires specific equipment for non-ambulatory individuals.
• Ensures resident safety during the weighing process.

Memory trick: Scales for all, big or small, to stand or fall.

The most frequently used location for assessing a routine pulse in adults, found on the thumb side of the wrist.

• Located on the thumb side of the wrist
• Easily accessible
• Used for routine pulse checks in adults
• Palpated with index and middle fingers

Memory trick: For a quick check, use the 'Radial Road' on the wrist!

The blood pressure cuff bladder length should be 80% of the arm circumference and the width should be 40% of the arm circumference.

• Too small cuff = falsely high reading
• Too large cuff = falsely low reading
• Ensure cuff is snug but not tight
• Position cuff 1 inch above antecubital fossa

Memory trick: Size the cuff right, or the numbers won't be bright!

The most accurate way to measure height for a standing resident is using a standing scale with a height rod, ensuring proper posture.

• Resident must stand erect.
• Shoes should be removed.
• Scale's height rod provides direct reading.

Memory trick: Stand Tall, Rod Up, Get the Right Number.

The expected volume of urine produced by an adult in a given timeframe, typically 30-50 mL per hour or 720-1200 mL per 24 hours.

• Minimum acceptable hourly output is 30 mL/hr
• Output below 30 mL/hr (oliguria) is concerning
• Output below 100 mL/24 hr (anuria) is critical
• Report significant deviations to the nurse

Memory trick: Think 30 an hour, or call the nurse with power!

A sterile procedure to obtain a urine sample directly from the catheter tubing, not the drainage bag, to ensure an uncontaminated specimen.

• Clamp tubing below port for 15-30 minutes
• Cleanse the specimen port thoroughly
• Use a sterile syringe to aspirate urine
• Do not collect from the drainage bag

Memory trick: Clamp, Clean, Collect, Unclamp – Keep it sterile, don't use the bag!

Collecting a sterile urine sample from a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter by clamping the tubing and aspirating from the port.

• Ensures a sterile sample.
• Minimizes infection risk.
• Requires clamping tubing 15-30 minutes prior.

Memory trick: Clamp, Wait, Aspirate, Port, Sterile, Safe.

Bradycardia refers to an adult heart rate that is unusually slow, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute (bpm). It can be normal for some individuals but may also indicate underlying health issues.

• Normal adult pulse range: 60-100 bpm.
• Bradycardia: < 60 bpm.
• Should be reported to the nurse for assessment.

Memory trick: Sixty to Hundred is normal, below is slow, above is fast.

A significant and sudden decrease in respiratory rate (bradypnea) is a critical sign of respiratory depression and requires immediate reporting to the nurse.

• Normal adult rate: 12-20 breaths/min.
• Bradypnea: <12 breaths/min.
• Can indicate over-sedation or respiratory failure.
• Always report immediately.

Memory trick: Breathing Down? Report Now!

The method for obtaining an accurate weight measurement depends on the resident's mobility and ability to stand.

• Standing scale for ambulatory residents.
• Chair scale for residents who can sit but not stand.
• Bed scale for bedridden residents.
• Always zero the scale before use.

Memory trick: S.C.B. - Stand, Chair, Bed.

Collecting a urine sample for general analysis, typically by having the resident void into a clean collection device before transferring to a specimen cup.

• Use a clean bedpan or urinal.
• Label the specimen cup correctly.
• Do not collect from a catheter drainage bag.

Memory trick: Routine Urination for Reporting Results.

Tachypnea is an abnormally rapid respiratory rate, typically exceeding 20 breaths per minute in adults, which can be a sign of respiratory distress or other underlying conditions.

• Rate above 20 breaths per minute (adult).
• Can be accompanied by shallow or labored breathing.
• Requires immediate reporting to the nurse.

Memory trick: Tachy is Top, Brady is Below.

The normal range for an adult's rectal temperature is typically 98.6°F to 100.6°F (37.0°C to 38.1°C), which is slightly higher than oral temperatures.

• Rectal temperature is considered a core body temperature.
• It is usually 0.5-1.0°F higher than oral temperature.
• Average oral temp is 98.6°F (37.0°C).

Memory trick: Rectal is Raised, Oral is Ordinary, Axillary is Absent.

Serious complications of a cast include impaired circulation, which can lead to tissue damage and loss of limb function if not addressed promptly.

• Signs include swelling, coolness, pallor/cyanosis, numbness, tingling, and severe pain.
• These signs indicate a medical emergency.
• Nurse aides must report these observations immediately.

Memory trick: Casts Can Cause Critical Circulation Challenges.