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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 resident with a recent hip fracture needs to use a bedpan. Which type is usually used?
AA standard bedpan with the head of the bed flat
BA commode chair next to the bed
CA urinal held by the nursing assistant
DA fracture pan
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
An alert resident tells the nursing assistant that she is leaving the facility today and starts packing. No discharge is planned. What should the nursing assistant do?
ATell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
BLock her in her room until she changes her mind about leaving
CHelp her pack and walk her to the front door
DTake her suitcase away and hide it
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 109.2624 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
109.2624 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A blood glucose result is 6.5 mmol/L. Using 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL for glucose, find c in mg/dL to the nearest whole number.
6.5 mmol/L1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL
c = mg/dL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · A fracture pan
Why this is the answer
A fracture pan is flatter and is slid under the buttocks with little lifting, so it suits residents with hip fractures or limited movement. It is placed with the flat end under the buttocks.
Answer
D · A fracture pan
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Tell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
Why this is the answer
A competent resident has the right to leave, but the nurse must know at once to talk with her, contact the doctor and family and make it safe. Hiding belongings or locking her in would violate her rights.
Answer
A · Tell the nurse right away and stay with the resident
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 109.3 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
109.2624 → 2
Only the next digit decides
109.2624 → 6
6 is 5 or more, so round 2 up.
The digits after it (24) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 109.3 kg
Answer
x = 109.3 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: c = 117 mg/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
c = 6.5·18 = 117 mg/dL
Answer
c = 117 mg/dL
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