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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 measuring blood pressure in the arm, where is the stethoscope placed?
AOver the heart on the chest
BOver the radial artery on the thumb side of the wrist
COver the carotid artery in the neck
DOver the brachial artery at the inner elbow
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A nursing assistant is assigned to a resident on airborne precautions but has never been fit-tested for an N95 respirator. What should the nursing assistant do?
AWear a surgical mask instead and keep the visit short
BTell the nurse before entering the room
CEnter without a mask if the care takes less than 5 minutes
DWear two surgical masks, one over the other, for extra protection
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A drip-rate calculation gives 113.086 gtt/min. The rule in this exercise is that drip rates are rounded to the nearest whole drop. What value x do you record?
113.086 gtt/min
x = gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 1 tbsp of liquid supplement, ½ cup of tea, 8 fl oz of juice, 1 tsp of cough syrup. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.
1 tbsp = 15 mL1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL1 fl oz = 30 mL1 tsp = 5 mL
V = mL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Over the brachial artery at the inner elbow
Why this is the answer
The brachial artery is felt on the inner side of the elbow. The stethoscope is placed over it, just below the cuff, to hear the blood pressure sounds.
Answer
D · Over the brachial artery at the inner elbow
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Tell the nurse before entering the room
Why this is the answer
An N95 respirator protects only when it fits and seals, so workers must be fit-tested before using one. Surgical masks, even doubled, do not filter airborne particles well enough. The nursing assistant tells the nurse before entering the room.
Answer
B · Tell the nurse before entering the room
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 113 gtt/min
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 ones place
113.086 → 3
Only the next digit decides
113.086 → 0
0 is 4 or less, so 3 stays.
The digits after it (86) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 113 gtt/min
Answer
x = 113 gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: V = 380 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
1 tbsp = 1·15 = 15 mL
½ cup = 0.5·240 = 120 mL
8 fl oz = 8·30 = 240 mL
1 tsp = 1·5 = 5 mL
Add
V = 15 + 120 + 240 + 5 = 380 mL
Answer
V = 380 mL
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