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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
Which sense is thought to remain the longest in a dying person?
ATaste
BHearing
CSight
DSmell
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident sitting up in bed keeps sliding toward the foot of the bed. What should the nursing assistant do?
ATie a sheet across her chest to keep her from sliding down again
BMove her up with a lift sheet and a helper, and check the care plan
CLeave her where she is so she is not disturbed
DPull her up by her arms on your own so she is not kept waiting
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 65.5297 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
65.5297 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An order reads 3 mcg/kg/min for a patient who weighs 69 kg. Express the dose rate D in mg/h. Round to two decimal places.
3 mcg/kg/min69 kg
D = mg/h
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Hearing
Why this is the answer
Hearing is thought to be one of the last senses lost, so staff speak to the dying resident, explain care and avoid saying things they would not want the resident to hear. Families are encouraged to talk to them too.
Answer
B · Hearing
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Move her up with a lift sheet and a helper, and check the care plan
Why this is the answer
Using a lift sheet with another staff member moves the resident without dragging her skin. The care plan guides the head-of-bed angle and positioning aids. Pulling by the arms can injure the shoulders, and tying her is a restraint.
Answer
B · Move her up with a lift sheet and a helper, and check the care plan
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 65.5 kg
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 tenths place
65.5297 → 5
Only the next digit decides
65.5297 → 2
2 is 4 or less, so 5 stays.
The digits after it (97) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 65.5 kg
Answer
x = 65.5 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 12.42 mg/h
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 = 3 mcg/kg/min × 69 kg × (60 min/1 h) × (1 mg/1000 mcg)
Calculate
D = 3·69·60/1000 = 12.42 mg/h
Answer
D = 12.42 mg/h
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