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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 behavior may show that a resident who cannot speak is in pain?
ASleeping quietly through the night
BEating all of a meal quickly
CLaughing at a television show
DGrimacing and guarding a body part
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard
A resident with severe arthritis knows when she needs to urinate but often wets herself because she cannot reach the bathroom in time. Which approach helps most?
APut her in an incontinence brief and change it once a shift
BTell her to wait for the scheduled toileting round
CAnswer her call quickly and keep a commode within reach
DLimit her fluids to one glass a day
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A weight conversion gives 111.2633 kg. The rule in this exercise is that weights are rounded to the nearest tenth of a kilogram. What value x do you record?
111.2633 kg
x = kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion delivers 8 mg/h. Express this dose rate D in mcg/min. Round to one decimal place.
8 mg/h1 mg = 1000 mcg1 h = 60 min
D = mcg/min
3Solutions
1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: D · Grimacing and guarding a body part
Why this is the answer
Nonverbal signs of pain include grimacing, moaning, guarding or rubbing a body part, restlessness and refusing to move. These signs are reported to the nurse.
Answer
D · Grimacing and guarding a body part
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge
Answer: C · Answer her call quickly and keep a commode within reach
Why this is the answer
This is functional incontinence: the bladder works but a physical or mental limitation stops the resident from reaching the toilet in time. Prompt help, easy-to-remove clothing and a nearby commode or urinal reduce accidents.
Answer
C · Answer her call quickly and keep a commode within reach
3.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: x = 111.3 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
111.2633 → 2
Only the next digit decides
111.2633 → 6
6 is 5 or more, so round 2 up.
The digits after it (33) are ignored: round once, never step by step.
Round
x = 111.3 kg
Answer
x = 111.3 kg
4.Nursing math & unit conversions
Answer: D = 133.3 mcg/min
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 = 8 mg/h × (1000 mcg/1 mg) × (1 h/60 min)
Calculate
D = 8000/60 = 133.3 mcg/min
Answer
D = 133.3 mcg/min
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