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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
Which is the best way to speak with a resident who is hard of hearing?
AShout each word so that the resident can hear everything clearly
BSpeak quickly so the resident does not get tired of listening
CStand behind the resident and speak into the better ear
DFace the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident's fluid intake for the day is 2400 mL, but her urine output is only 400 mL. What should the nursing assistant do?
AReport the large difference between intake and output to the nurse
BEncourage her to drink even more fluid to raise the amount of urine she passes
CChange her intake record so it matches the output
DRecord the numbers and take no further action
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A drip-rate calculation gives 228.595 gtt/min. The rule in this exercise is that drip rates are rounded to the nearest whole drop. What value x do you record?
228.595 gtt/min
x = gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A serum creatinine result is 3.4 mg/dL. Using 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L for creatinine, find c in µmol/L to the nearest whole number.
3.4 mg/dL1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L
c = µmol/L
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Face the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
Why this is the answer
Get the resident's attention, face them in good light, reduce background noise and speak clearly at a normal or slightly lower pitch. Shouting distorts speech. Check that hearing aids are in and working.
Answer
D · Face the resident and speak clearly at a normal or lower pitch
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · Report the large difference between intake and output to the nurse
Why this is the answer
A big gap between intake and output can mean fluid is being kept in the body or there is a problem with urine flow. The nurse is told so the resident can be assessed. Records are never altered.
Answer
A · Report the large difference between intake and output to the nurse
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 229 gtt/min
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 ones place
228.595 → 8
Only the next digit decides
228.595 → 5
5 is 5 or more, so round 8 up.
The digits after it (95) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 229 gtt/min
Answer
x = 229 gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: c = 301 µmol/L
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.
Convert
c = 3.4·88.4 = 300.6 ≈ 301 µmol/L
Answer
c = 301 µmol/L
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