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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
A dying resident asks to see a priest. What should the nursing assistant do?
AAsk him to wait until his family visits next week
BSuggest that he talk to the nursing assistant instead
CTell the nurse so the visit can be arranged promptly
DTell him that religion is not allowed in the facility
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident's weight today is 8 lb (about 3.6 kg) less than last week. Today she was weighed on a different scale in heavier clothes. What should the nursing assistant do?
ARecord the new weight in the chart without any comment
BSubtract 8 lb from last week's weight and record that
CWait until next week and weigh her again then
DReweigh her the usual way and report the result
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient’s temperature is 98.9 °F. Convert it to degrees Celsius T with °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Round to one decimal place.
98.9 °F
T = °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A prescription reads ½ tbsp of an oral suspension every 8 hours for 7 days. The suspension comes in 150 mL bottles. Using 1 tbsp = 15 mL, how many whole bottles N must be supplied so the course is complete?
½ tbspevery 8 hours7 days150 mL1 tbsp = 15 mL
N =
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · Tell the nurse so the visit can be arranged promptly
Why this is the answer
Residents have the right to practice their religion. Requests for clergy are passed on promptly so the visit can be arranged, and privacy is given during the visit.
Answer
C · Tell the nurse so the visit can be arranged promptly
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Reweigh her the usual way and report the result
Why this is the answer
Weights should be taken with the same scale, at the same time of day and in similar clothing. When a change is surprising, the nursing assistant reweighs correctly and reports the result, because real weight loss needs follow-up.
Answer
D · Reweigh her the usual way and report the result
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: T = 37.2 °C
Temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = °C × 9/5 + 32. Subtract 32 before you multiply when going from °F, and add 32 after you multiply when going from °C. A quick check: 37 °C is 98.6 °F, and every 1 °C is 1.8 °F.
Subtract 32
98.9 − 32 = 66.9
Multiply by 5/9
T = 66.9·5/9 = 37.17 ≈ 37.2 °C
Answer
T = 37.2 °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: N = 2
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.