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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
What is Cheyne-Stokes breathing, which may be seen near death?
ADeep, then shallow breaths, followed by pauses with no breathing
BBreathing in through the nose and out through pursed lips
CSteady, quiet breathing at about 16 breaths per minute
DCoughing that brings up a large amount of thick yellow sputum
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
During a shift a resident voids 350 mL and then 200 mL, and vomits 150 mL. What total output is recorded?
A850 mL
B550 mL
C700 mL
D500 mL
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A drip-rate calculation gives 64.745 gtt/min. The rule in this exercise is that drip rates are rounded to the nearest whole drop. What value x do you record?
64.745 gtt/min
x = gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A haemoglobin result is 8.6 g/dL. Express it in g/L Hb.
8.6 g/dL1 L = 10 dL
Hb = g/L
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Deep, then shallow breaths, followed by pauses with no breathing
Why this is the answer
Cheyne-Stokes respirations alternate between deeper and shallower breaths and periods of apnea. They can occur as death nears and are reported to the nurse.
Answer
A · Deep, then shallow breaths, followed by pauses with no breathing
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · 700 mL
Why this is the answer
Output includes urine, vomit (emesis), liquid stool and drainage. Here 350 + 200 + 150 = 700 mL. The vomiting is also reported to the nurse.
Answer
C · 700 mL
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 65 gtt/min
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 ones place
64.745 → 4
Only the next digit decides
64.745 → 7
7 is 5 or more, so round 4 up.
The digits after it (45) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 65 gtt/min
Answer
x = 65 gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: Hb = 86 g/L
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 = 8.6 g/dL × 10 dL/L = 86 g/L
Answer
Hb = 86 g/L
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