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1Formulas and methods
Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Method
Check whether the resident is in danger right now (not breathing, choking, a fall, chest pain, stroke signs); if so, keep them safe and get the nurse at once.
Ask whether the task is within the nursing assistant’s scope and training; if not, decline politely and tell the nurse.
Respect the resident’s rights: privacy, choice, refusal of care, dignity and freedom from abuse and unneeded restraints.
Apply the basic rules: hand hygiene, body mechanics, bed low and call light within reach, weak side first when dressing.
Observe and report: compare with the resident’s usual state and report changes promptly and objectively.
Nursing math & unit conversions
Metric steps
1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg, 1 mg = 1000 mcg, 1 L = 1000 mL
Weight and length
1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 lb = 16 oz, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 ft = 12 in
Household measures
1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
Pick the equivalent: 1000 between kg, g, mg and mcg or L and mL; 1 kg = 2.2 lb; 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 240 mL.
Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.
2Practice problems
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeMedium
When a resident is discharged, what does the nursing assistant usually do?
AGive the resident instructions about new medicines to take at home
BDecide whether the resident is ready to go home and sign the discharge
CHelp pack, check belongings against the list and help the resident out safely
DKeep the resident's belongings at the facility until the family asks for them
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
An alert resident tells the nursing assistant that she is leaving the facility today and starts packing. No discharge is planned. What should the nursing assistant do?
ATake her suitcase away and hide it
BTell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
CHelp her pack and walk her to the front door
DLock her in her room until she changes her mind about leaving
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for a small injection gives 0.86547 mL. The rule in this exercise is that volumes below 1 mL are rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mL. What value x do you record?
0.86547 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 6 fl oz of juice, 3 tbsp of liquid supplement, 1½ cups of tea, 2 tsp of cough syrup. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.
1 fl oz = 30 mL1 tbsp = 15 mL1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL1 tsp = 5 mL
V = mL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · Help pack, check belongings against the list and help the resident out safely
Why this is the answer
For discharge, the nursing assistant helps collect and check belongings and assists the resident out safely, often by wheelchair, following policy. The nurse gives medical instructions.
Answer
C · Help pack, check belongings against the list and help the resident out safely
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Tell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
Why this is the answer
A competent resident has the right to leave, but the nurse must know at once to talk with her, contact the doctor and family and make it safe. Hiding belongings or locking her in would violate her rights.
Answer
B · Tell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 0.87 mL
Rounding: look at the digit just after the place you round to: 5 or more rounds up, 4 or less leaves the digit as it is. Round only the final answer, never the steps. Typical exam rules: volumes of 1 mL or more to the nearest tenth, volumes below 1 mL to the nearest hundredth, drip rates to whole drops and weights to one decimal place; always follow the rule the question states.
Digit in the hundredths place
0.86547 → 6
Only the next digit decides
0.86547 → 5
5 is 5 or more, so round 6 up.
The digits after it (47) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 0.87 mL
Answer
x = 0.87 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: V = 595 mL
Household measures and weight: nursing exams use rounded equivalents: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL = 3 tsp, 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 mL = 2 tbsp, and 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL. For weight, 1 kg = 2.2 lb and 1 lb = 16 oz; for length, 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Set the conversion up so that the unit you do not want cancels out.
Each item in mL
6 fl oz = 6·30 = 180 mL
3 tbsp = 3·15 = 45 mL
1½ cups = 1.5·240 = 360 mL
2 tsp = 2·5 = 10 mL
Add
V = 180 + 45 + 360 + 10 = 595 mL
Answer
V = 595 mL
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