CNA State Examination Practice Questions (Part Four)

QUESTION: The resident has returned to the nursing home this afternoon after having undergone a minor same-day surgery at a freestanding surgical center earlier this morning. The resident has a doctor’s order to receive a full liquid diet for the rest of the day. The resident is now telling the nursing assistant, “I am getting really hungry right now.” Which food items and fluids would be appropriate on the meal tray of a resident who has been prescribed a full liquid diet?

A. Cream soup, broth, vanilla ice cream, water, and orange juice

B. Chicken noodle soup, sliced apples, side salad, and hot tea

C. Turkey bacon sandwich, corn on the cob, pudding, and milk

D. Spaghetti with meatballs, green beans, chocolate cake, and cola

ANSWER: A (The full liquid diet consists of fluids and food items that are usually in liquid form, as well as food items that will melt into liquid form when they are at room temperature, such as ice cream, ice cubes and popsicles. The full liquid diet allows the resident’s body to heal from the recent surgical procedure).

QUESTION: The charge nurse has told the nursing assistant, “The patient in room 209 is in shock.” The nursing assistant knows to place the patient in which of the following positions in bed if any signs and symptoms of shock are noted:

A. The high Fowler’s position

B. The Trendelenberg position

C. The Sims’ position

D. The low Fowler’s position

ANSWER: B (The nursing assistant would place the patient in the Trendelenberg position when the signs and symptoms of shock are being experienced by the patient. This position places the legs of the patient in an elevated position that is higher than the head. This position also promotes return of the blood in the extremities (arms and legs) back into the circulating blood, therefore increasing the patient’s blood volume and blood pressure. The Sims and Fowler’s positions cannot produce these effects).

QUESTION: The instructor is teaching a group of nurse aide students about the various roles of the different members of the multidisciplinary team within a typical nursing home setting. The instructor knows that her teaching has been effective if the nurse aide student is able to correctly pair the following healthcare worker with the associated duties and functions:

A. Dietitian: meal preparation

B. Speech language pathologist: instruction of new languages

C. Physical therapist: ambulation and balance/gait exercises

D. Certified nursing assistant: ordering medications

ANSWER: C (Physical therapists deliver rehabilitative and restorative care techniques, including assistance with ambulation and balance/gait exercises. Speech language pathologists, also known as speech therapists, assess and treat residents who are afflicted with swallowing disorders; in addition, they assess and treat residents with speech disorders and communicative problems that sometimes happen after a stroke. Speech language pathologists do not teach people new languages.

The primary role of a dietitian in the nursing home setting is to formulate nutritional programs designed to improve or maintain the health statuses of the residents who reside there; conversely, they do not prepare meals in the nursing home setting. Ordering medications is not within the scope of practice for certified nursing assistants).