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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 has aphasia after a stroke and has trouble finding words. Which approach helps communication?
ASpeak loudly, because aphasia is a kind of hearing loss
BUse simple yes-or-no questions, gestures or a picture board
CAvoid talking to the resident so they do not become frustrated
DFinish every sentence for the resident to save time
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A fire starts in a wastebasket in a resident's room. Following RACE, what does the nursing assistant do first?
APhone the resident's family
BRemove the resident from immediate danger
CSpray the fire with the nearest extinguisher
DClose all the doors on the unit
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 73.6271 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
73.6271 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 1½ tbsp of liquid supplement, 1½ tsp of cough syrup, 3 cups of tea, ½ fl oz of juice. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.
1 tbsp = 15 mL1 tsp = 5 mL1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL1 fl oz = 30 mL
V = mL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Use simple yes-or-no questions, gestures or a picture board
Why this is the answer
Short questions with yes-or-no answers, gestures, pictures and communication boards help. Give the resident time to answer, and do not talk to them as if they were a child.
Answer
B · Use simple yes-or-no questions, gestures or a picture board
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Remove the resident from immediate danger
Why this is the answer
RACE means Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish. Moving residents away from immediate danger comes first, then the alarm is activated, doors are closed to confine the fire, and the fire is put out only if it is small and safe.
Answer
B · Remove the resident from immediate danger
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 73.6 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
73.6271 → 6
Only the next digit decides
73.6271 → 2
2 is 4 or less, so 6 stays.
The digits after it (71) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 73.6 kg
Answer
x = 73.6 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: V = 765 mL
Household measures and weight: nursing exams use rounded equivalents: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 mL = 3 tsp, 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 mL = 2 tbsp, and 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL. For weight, 1 kg = 2.2 lb and 1 lb = 16 oz; for length, 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Set the conversion up so that the unit you do not want cancels out.
Each item in mL
1½ tbsp = 1.5·15 = 22.5 mL
1½ tsp = 1.5·5 = 7.5 mL
3 cups = 3·240 = 720 mL
½ fl oz = 0.5·30 = 15 mL
Add
V = 22.5 + 7.5 + 720 + 15 = 765 mL
Answer
V = 765 mL
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