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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 speaking with a resident who has dementia, which nonverbal approach helps?
AStanding over the resident with crossed arms
BApproaching quickly from behind so that care can start sooner
CSpeaking while walking out of the room
DApproaching from the front with eye contact and a calm tone
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
At lunch, a resident suddenly grabs her throat, cannot speak and is not coughing. What should the nursing assistant do?
ALay her flat in bed to rest
BWait to see whether she starts to cough
CCall for help and give abdominal thrusts
DPat her back while giving her sips of water
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient is 179 cm tall. Using 1 in = 2.54 cm, find the height h in inches. Round to one decimal place.
179 cm1 in = 2.54 cm
h = in
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion delivers 0.5 mg/h. Express this dose rate D in mcg/min. Round to one decimal place.
0.5 mg/h1 mg = 1000 mcg1 h = 60 min
D = mcg/min
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Approaching from the front with eye contact and a calm tone
Why this is the answer
Approaching from the front, at eye level, with a calm voice and relaxed body language reduces fear and helps the resident with dementia focus. Being startled can trigger agitation.
Answer
D · Approaching from the front with eye contact and a calm tone
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · Call for help and give abdominal thrusts
Why this is the answer
Hands at the throat and an inability to speak or cough mean a severe airway obstruction. Ask "Are you choking?", call for help and give abdominal thrusts (in many courses, back blows are also taught) until the object comes out or she becomes unresponsive. Water could make it worse.
Answer
C · Call for help and give abdominal thrusts
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: h = 70.5 in
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.
Centimetres to inches
h = 179/2.54 = 70.47 ≈ 70.5 in
Answer
h = 70.5 in
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 8.3 mcg/min
Dimensional analysis: write the given quantity, then multiply by conversion factors written as fractions (for example 60 min/1 h or 1 mg/1000 mcg) so that each unwanted unit appears once on top and once underneath and cancels. When only the wanted unit is left, calculate. Use the equivalents the question gives and round only the final answer.
Set up the chain
D = 0.5 mg/h × (1000 mcg/1 mg) × (1 h/60 min)
Calculate
D = 500/60 = 8.333 ≈ 8.3 mcg/min
Answer
D = 8.3 mcg/min
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