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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 is a clean-catch (midstream) urine specimen collected?
APour urine from the catheter drainage bag into the container
BCollect the very first urine of the day straight into the sterile container
CCollect urine from a bedpan that has toilet paper in it
DClean the area, start urinating, then catch the middle of the stream
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident who is usually alert and oriented is suddenly confused today. Her urine is dark and has a strong smell. What should the nursing assistant report?
AThe new confusion and the change in the urine, right away
BOnly the confusion, and only at the end of the shift
COnly the change in the urine, because confusion is normal in older people
DNothing, because these changes are part of normal aging
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A drip-rate calculation gives 108.896 gtt/min. The rule in this exercise is that drip rates are rounded to the nearest whole drop. What value x do you record?
108.896 gtt/min
x = gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 1 cup of tea, 1½ fl oz of juice, 1½ tbsp of liquid supplement. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.
1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL1 fl oz = 30 mL1 tbsp = 15 mL
V = mL
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Clean the area, start urinating, then catch the middle of the stream
Why this is the answer
After cleaning the area, the resident starts to urinate, then urine is caught midstream in a sterile container without touching its inside. The container is labeled and handled as the nurse directs.
Answer
D · Clean the area, start urinating, then catch the middle of the stream
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: A · The new confusion and the change in the urine, right away
Why this is the answer
Sudden confusion is never just "normal aging". Combined with dark, strong-smelling urine it may point to dehydration or a urinary tract infection. Both observations are reported to the nurse at once.
Answer
A · The new confusion and the change in the urine, right away
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 109 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
108.896 → 8
Only the next digit decides
108.896 → 8
8 is 5 or more, so round 8 up.
The digits after it (96) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 109 gtt/min
Answer
x = 109 gtt/min
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: V = 307.5 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
1 cup = 1·240 = 240 mL
1½ fl oz = 1.5·30 = 45 mL
1½ tbsp = 1.5·15 = 22.5 mL
Add
V = 240 + 45 + 22.5 = 307.5 mL
Answer
V = 307.5 mL
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