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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
Why should nursing assistants keep their fingernails short and avoid artificial nails?
ALong and artificial nails hold germs and can scratch residents
BShort nails help the nursing assistant write and type faster on the chart
CArtificial nails are not allowed outside of work
DLong nails make it harder to use the call light
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
After a stroke, a resident ignores the food on the left side of her tray. Which approach can help, if it is in the care plan?
AAssume she is not hungry and take the tray away after a few minutes
BTell her where the food is and prompt her to look to the left
CFeed her everything without letting her try
DRemove the food from the left side of the tray
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for a small injection gives 0.44769 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?
0.44769 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion delivers 1 mg/h. Express this dose rate D in mcg/min. Round to one decimal place.
1 mg/h1 mg = 1000 mcg1 h = 60 min
D = mcg/min
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Long and artificial nails hold germs and can scratch residents
Why this is the answer
Germs collect under long and artificial nails and are harder to remove with hand hygiene. Long nails can also tear fragile skin and gloves.
Answer
A · Long and artificial nails hold germs and can scratch residents
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Tell her where the food is and prompt her to look to the left
Why this is the answer
Some residents after a stroke neglect one side of their body and surroundings. Reminding them to turn the head and scan that side, or turning the plate, helps them eat. The care plan describes the approach.
Answer
B · Tell her where the food is and prompt her to look to the left
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 0.45 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
0.44769 → 4
Only the next digit decides
0.44769 → 7
7 is 5 or more, so round 4 up.
The digits after it (69) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 0.45 mL
Answer
x = 0.45 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 16.7 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 = 1 mg/h × (1000 mcg/1 mg) × (1 h/60 min)
Calculate
D = 1000/60 = 16.67 ≈ 16.7 mcg/min
Answer
D = 16.7 mcg/min
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