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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 wears a nasal cannula. Where should the nursing assistant check for skin irritation?
AOn the soles of the feet and the heels
BOn the back of the hands
CUnder the arms and around the neck
DBehind the ears and around the nostrils
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident keeps removing her nasal cannula because the tubing hurts her ears. What should the nursing assistant do?
ATell the nurse, who may approve padding or another solution
BChange her to a different oxygen device without asking
CTape the cannula to her face so she cannot remove it
DLeave the cannula off because she does not want it
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 96.8357 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
96.8357 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion delivers 1 mg/h. Express this dose rate D in mcg/min. Round to one decimal place.
1 mg/h1 mg = 1000 mcg1 h = 60 min
D = mcg/min
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Behind the ears and around the nostrils
Why this is the answer
Cannula tubing presses on the skin behind the ears, on the cheeks and in and around the nostrils. These areas can become sore and are checked often, with any irritation reported.
Answer
D · Behind the ears and around the nostrils
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Tell the nurse, who may approve padding or another solution
Why this is the answer
Oxygen is ordered for a reason, so the nurse must know if the resident is removing it. The nurse may approve ear padding or other comfort measures. The nursing assistant does not change oxygen devices alone.
Answer
A · Tell the nurse, who may approve padding or another solution
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 96.8 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
96.8357 → 8
Only the next digit decides
96.8357 → 3
3 is 4 or less, so 8 stays.
The digits after it (57) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 96.8 kg
Answer
x = 96.8 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 16.7 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 = 1 mg/h × (1000 mcg/1 mg) × (1 h/60 min)
Calculate
D = 1000/60 = 16.67 ≈ 16.7 mcg/min
Answer
D = 16.7 mcg/min
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