Member of the Health Care Team — CNA practice questions

Which is an example of effective teamwork?

1. Refusing to help coworkers so your own assignment is finished on time
2. Discussing coworkers' mistakes with other aides so the unit learns from them
3. Doing only your assigned residents and letting others handle theirs
4. Asking for help when you need it and helping others when you have time

Answer: D — Asking for help when you need it and helping others when you have time

A) Refusing to help so your own assignment finishes on time puts your schedule ahead of resident care. B) Discussing coworkers' mistakes with other aides is gossip; concerns go to the supervisor. C) Doing only your own residents ignores that the unit's workload shifts through the shift. D) Correct — teamwork runs both ways: you ask when a task needs two people, and you offer when you have capacity, which keeps residents safe and care on time.

Best body mechanics for lifting:

1. Bend at the waist and keep the knees straight so the strong back muscles do the lifting
2. Bend the knees, keep the load close to your body, and push instead of pulling the load
3. Lift quickly in one smooth motion so the load is under strain for the shortest time
4. Keep the feet planted and twist at the waist to move the load to its new position

Answer: B — Bend the knees, keep the load close to your body, and push instead of pulling the load

A) Bending at the waist with straight knees strains the lower back and is the classic cause of aide injury. B) Correct - the strong leg muscles do the work, a load held close shortens the lever arm on the spine, and pushing uses body weight instead of straining the back. C) Speed adds force to the spine rather than reducing strain. D) Twisting is a common cause of back injury; turn with your feet instead.

While assisting with a bath, a nurse aide notices a new reddened area over the resident's sacrum that does not fade. The aide should:

1. Apply lotion and recheck the area tomorrow
2. Report the finding to the nurse before leaving the unit at the end of the shift
3. Report the finding to the nurse promptly and document the observation
4. Reposition the resident and mention it in the next care conference

Answer: C — Report the finding to the nurse promptly and document the observation

C) Correct — a new non-blanching reddened area is an early pressure injury sign and is reported without delay so the nurse can assess and treat; the aide also records the observation. A) delays reporting a skin change by a full day and treats it as routine dry skin. B) is the off-by-one error of waiting until end of shift; a new skin breakdown finding warrants prompt reporting. D) repositioning is appropriate but the care conference is far too slow a route for a new finding.

What should an aide do when asked to perform a task outside their training or scope?

Politely decline and report to the charge nurse. Performing a task beyond scope endangers the resident and puts the aide's certification at risk.

What does a CNA do?

Provides hands-on, basic patient care under a licensed nurse's supervision: bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, vital signs, range-of-motion exercises, observation + reporting.

Name findings an aide must report to the nurse immediately.

Chest pain, difficulty breathing, bleeding, a fall, sudden confusion, unresponsiveness, seizure, severe pain, vital signs outside set limits, and any new skin breakdown.

Best CNA exam prep?

Review state-specific candidate handbook. Practice skills with timer. Take 3+ written practice tests. Memorize the standard skills order. Get sleep before exam. Calm + slow approach.