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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
How should a resident's bedpan be stored?
AIn the bedside drawer with the resident's clothes
BCleaned and kept in its proper place, never on the overbed table
COn the floor under the bed without cleaning
DOn the overbed table so that the resident can easily reach it
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident's weight this morning is 3 lb (about 1.4 kg) more than yesterday, and his ankles look swollen. What should the nursing assistant do?
AReport the weight gain and the swelling to the nurse promptly
BWeigh him again next week to see whether the trend continues
CRaise his legs and leave it out of the report
DLimit his drinks for the rest of the day without telling anyone
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 129.0622 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
129.0622 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An order reads 1 mcg/kg/min for a patient who weighs 72 kg. Express the dose rate D in mg/h. Round to two decimal places.
1 mcg/kg/min72 kg
D = mg/h
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Cleaned and kept in its proper place, never on the overbed table
Why this is the answer
Used bedpans are emptied, cleaned and stored in the proper place, such as the bathroom or bedside cabinet per policy. Placing them on the overbed table contaminates the area where the resident eats.
Answer
B · Cleaned and kept in its proper place, never on the overbed table
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Report the weight gain and the swelling to the nurse promptly
Why this is the answer
A quick weight gain with swelling may mean fluid retention, for example in heart failure. It is reported to the nurse promptly. Changing the resident's fluids is not the nursing assistant's decision.
Answer
A · Report the weight gain and the swelling to the nurse promptly
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 129.1 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
129.0622 → 0
Only the next digit decides
129.0622 → 6
6 is 5 or more, so round 0 up.
The digits after it (22) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 129.1 kg
Answer
x = 129.1 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 4.32 mg/h
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 mcg/kg/min × 72 kg × (60 min/1 h) × (1 mg/1000 mcg)
Calculate
D = 1·72·60/1000 = 4.32 mg/h
Answer
D = 4.32 mg/h
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