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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 is the best way to speak with a resident who is hard of hearing?
ASpeak quickly so the resident does not get tired of listening
BStand behind the resident and speak into the better ear
CFace the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
DShout each word so that the resident can hear everything clearly
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A visitor asks the nursing assistant which residents on the unit have HIV, so that she can avoid them. What should the nursing assistant do?
APoint out the rooms of those residents without saying any of their names
BGive her the names, because she is only trying to protect her own health
CTell her she may read the residents' charts at the nurses' station if she is careful
DSay that health information is private, and HIV is not spread by casual contact
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for an injection gives 7.3177 mL. The rule in this exercise is that volumes of 1 mL or more are rounded to the nearest tenth of a mL. What value x do you record?
7.3177 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A haemoglobin result is 163 g/L. Express it in g/dL Hb.
163 g/L1 L = 10 dL
Hb = g/dL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · Face the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
Why this is the answer
Get the resident's attention, face them in good light, reduce background noise and speak clearly at a normal or slightly lower pitch. Shouting distorts speech. Check that hearing aids are in and working.
Answer
C · Face the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Say that health information is private, and HIV is not spread by casual contact
Why this is the answer
Health information, including HIV status, is confidential and never shared with visitors. The nursing assistant can reassure the visitor that HIV is not spread by casual contact such as talking or touching.
Answer
D · Say that health information is private, and HIV is not spread by casual contact
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 7.3 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 tenths place
7.3177 → 3
Only the next digit decides
7.3177 → 1
1 is 4 or less, so 3 stays.
The digits after it (77) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 7.3 mL
Answer
x = 7.3 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: Hb = 16.3 g/dL
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.
Convert
Hb = 163 g/L × (1 L/10 dL) = 16.3 g/dL
Answer
Hb = 16.3 g/dL
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