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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
When should care be documented?
AAfter the care is given, never before
BOnly at the end of the week
CAt the start of the shift, to save time later
DBefore the care, so the nurse knows it is planned
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident's pulse was 72 at 0800, 88 at 1200 and 118 at 1600, and she feels warm. What should the nursing assistant do?
ARecord only the last pulse, since it is the newest reading
BReport only the 0800 pulse, which was normal
CWait until 2000 to see if the pulse comes down
DReport the rising pulse and her warm skin to the nurse
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for an injection gives 7.1559 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?
7.1559 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion delivers 3 mg/h. Express this dose rate D in mcg/min. Round to one decimal place.
3 mg/h1 mg = 1000 mcg1 h = 60 min
D = mcg/min
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · After the care is given, never before
Why this is the answer
Care is documented after it is done. Documenting care in advance is falsification, because something may change or the care may not happen.
Answer
A · After the care is given, never before
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Report the rising pulse and her warm skin to the nurse
Why this is the answer
A steadily rising pulse that is now above 100, with warm skin, may mean fever, infection or another problem. Trends are important and are reported to the nurse promptly.
Answer
D · Report the rising pulse and her warm skin to the nurse
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 7.2 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
7.1559 → 1
Only the next digit decides
7.1559 → 5
5 is 5 or more, so round 1 up.
The digits after it (59) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 7.2 mL
Answer
x = 7.2 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 50 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 = 3 mg/h × (1000 mcg/1 mg) × (1 h/60 min)
Calculate
D = 3000/60 = 50 mcg/min
Answer
D = 50 mcg/min
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