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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 with an intellectual disability is learning to make his own bed. Which approach helps most?
AExplain all the steps at once, then leave him to try it on his own
BTeach one simple step at a time, praise success and be patient
CCorrect every mistake in front of others
DMake the bed for him because it is faster
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident with arthritis is slow to button his shirt but wants to do it himself. The nursing assistant is running late. What should the nursing assistant do?
ALeave him alone and come back after lunch
BButton the shirt for him to save time
CTell him to wear a shirt without buttons from now on
DAllow him time and encourage him to finish it himself
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A dose calculation for a small injection gives 0.45145 mL. The rule in this exercise is that volumes below 1 mL are rounded to the nearest hundredth of a mL. What value x do you record?
0.45145 mL
x = mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 2 tbsp of liquid supplement, 8 fl oz of juice, ½ tsp of cough syrup, 1½ cups of tea. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.
1 tbsp = 15 mL1 fl oz = 30 mL1 tsp = 5 mL1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
V = mL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: B · Teach one simple step at a time, praise success and be patient
Why this is the answer
Breaking a task into small steps, demonstrating, repeating and praising progress helps people with intellectual disabilities learn. This builds independence and self-esteem.
Answer
B · Teach one simple step at a time, praise success and be patient
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Allow him time and encourage him to finish it himself
Why this is the answer
Encouraging residents to do as much as they can for themselves maintains strength, dignity and independence. Doing tasks for them because it is faster can lead to loss of abilities and self-esteem.
Answer
D · Allow him time and encourage him to finish it himself
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 0.45 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 hundredths place
0.45145 → 5
Only the next digit decides
0.45145 → 1
1 is 4 or less, so 5 stays.
The digits after it (45) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 0.45 mL
Answer
x = 0.45 mL
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: V = 632.5 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
2 tbsp = 2·15 = 30 mL
8 fl oz = 8·30 = 240 mL
½ tsp = 0.5·5 = 2.5 mL
1½ cups = 1.5·240 = 360 mL
Add
V = 30 + 240 + 2.5 + 360 = 632.5 mL
Answer
V = 632.5 mL
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