CNA practice test (nurse aide knowledge exam practice): cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Method

  1. 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.
  2. Ask whether the task is within the nursing assistant’s scope and training; if not, decline politely and tell the nurse.
  3. Respect the resident’s rights: privacy, choice, refusal of care, dignity and freedom from abuse and unneeded restraints.
  4. Apply the basic rules: hand hygiene, body mechanics, bed low and call light within reach, weak side first when dressing.
  5. 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
Temperature
°C = (°F − 32)·5/9, °F = °C·9/5 + 32
24-hour clock
PM hours 1–11: add 12; 12 AM = 00:xx; 12 PM = 12:xx
Dose rate
mcg/min × 60/1000 = mg/h
Laboratory factors
glucose 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL; creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L; Hb 1 g/dL = 10 g/L

Method

  1. Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
  2. 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.
  3. Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
  4. Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
  5. Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.

2Practice problems

1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeMedium

A resident refuses a shower. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. AAsk the family to persuade the resident to agree
  2. BGive the shower anyway, because it is on the care plan
  3. CSkip the shower without telling anyone
  4. DRespect the refusal, ask about the reason, offer another option and tell the nurse
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard

A resident's catheter bag has only about 50 mL of dark urine after the whole shift; usually it holds about 600 mL. What should the nursing assistant do first?

  1. ACheck that the tubing is not kinked or under the resident, then report to the nurse
  2. BRecord the amount as usual without reporting it
  3. CEncourage the resident to drink and recheck at the next shift
  4. DDisconnect the tubing to see whether urine flows freely
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
94969810010210410635363738394041°F°C99.8 °F? °C

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient’s temperature is 99.8 °F. Convert it to degrees Celsius T with °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Round to one decimal place.

99.8 °F
T = °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
3 tbsp? mL1 tsp? mL2 fl oz? mLΣ = ? mL

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). During a shift a patient takes 3 tbsp of liquid supplement, 1 tsp of cough syrup, 2 fl oz of juice. Using the equivalents given, find the total oral intake V in mL.

1 tbsp = 15 mL1 tsp = 5 mL1 fl oz = 30 mL
V = mL

3Solutions

1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: D · Respect the refusal, ask about the reason, offer another option and tell the nurse

Why this is the answer

Residents may refuse care. The nursing assistant asks why (pain, cold, fear, preference), offers alternatives such as a bed bath or another time, and reports the refusal so the nurse can follow up. Forcing care can be abuse.

Answer

D · Respect the refusal, ask about the reason, offer another option and tell the nurse
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: A · Check that the tubing is not kinked or under the resident, then report to the nurse

Why this is the answer

A kink or a resident lying on the tubing can stop drainage, so the nursing assistant checks the tubing and the bag position. Very low or dark output is still reported to the nurse promptly. The closed system is never disconnected.

Answer

A · Check that the tubing is not kinked or under the resident, then report to the nurse
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: T = 37.7 °C

Temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = °C × 9/5 + 32. Subtract 32 before you multiply when going from °F, and add 32 after you multiply when going from °C. A quick check: 37 °C is 98.6 °F, and every 1 °C is 1.8 °F.

Subtract 32

99.8 − 32 = 67.8

Multiply by 5/9

T = 67.8·5/9 = 37.67 ≈ 37.7 °C

Answer

T = 37.7 °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: V = 110 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

3 tbsp = 3·15 = 45 mL
1 tsp = 1·5 = 5 mL
2 fl oz = 2·30 = 60 mL

Add

V = 45 + 5 + 60 = 110 mL

Answer

V = 110 mL

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