2024 CNA Basic Nursing Skills Practice Test

Overview

• The practice test comprises 70 questions with answers explained to aid preparation.
• Key focus areas include patient assessment, safety, medical abbreviations, and common conditions related to patient care.

Key Topics and Questions

1. Patient Assessment

• Assessing Patients in Casts: Check color and temperature of toes to ensure cast is not too tight.
• Incontinence Management: Frequent toileting breaks help manage stress incontinence.
• Fallen Patient Protocol: First assess for injuries before moving the patient.
• Medical Abbreviations: Example - 'ACHS' means before meals and at bedtime for glucose checks.
• Dysphagia Precautions: Question regular orange juice as it needs thickening.
• Dehydration Signs: Dark amber urine indicates dehydration.
• Unresponsive Patient: Check for a pulse immediately.

2. Equipment and Techniques

• Fracture Bed Pan Usage: Used for patients with back injuries.
• Fever and Tachycardia: Likely indicates an infection.
• Restraint Check: Ensure two fingers can slide under wrist restraints.
• Diabetic Foot Care: Keep feet dry and warm.

3. Safety and Precautions

• Contact Precautions: Required for MRSA but not for TB or COVID-19.
• CPR Techniques: One breath every 6 seconds by a second rescuer; compress to a depth of 2 inches.
• Fluid Documentation: 8 oz water is 240 ml.
• Chin Tuck Technique: Helps prevent choking.
• Respiration Counting: Count for a full 60 seconds.
• Foley Catheter Placement: Keep drainage bag at or below bladder level.

4. Patient Conditions and Care

• Blood Pressure Measurement: Avoid affected arm in post-mastectomy patients.
• Pulse Oximetry: Measures blood oxygen level.
• Abnormal Foley Output: Less than 30 ml per hour is concerning.
• Signs of Aging: Slower response time is normal.
• Orthostatic Hypotension: Prevent by sitting patient on bed edge before standing.
• Fire Protocol: Follow RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish).
• Apical Pulse Location: Left of the sternum, 5th intercostal space.

5. Medical Procedures and Concepts

• Strict I&O Measurement: Record all liquid intake and urine output.
• Bed Positioning: Supine position means the bed is flat.
• Patient Safety Measures: Verify patient identity with armband check.
• Signs of Infection: Dark stools can indicate a GI bleed.

6. Emergency Protocols

• Patient with Cognitive Changes: Consider UTI in older patients.
• Pain Assessment: Pain is subjective; report as per patient description.
• Seizure Response: Lay patient on their left side.
• CPR Rate: Perform 100-120 compressions per minute.

7. Various Skills and Tasks

• Perineal Care: Clean from the meatus outwards.
• Patient Transfer Safety: Use gait belt and proper standing position.
• Linen Handling: Place dirty linens in a laundry bag.
• Diabetes Management: Educate on call light usage for patient safety.

This test guide highlights essential nursing skills and protocols required for CNA certification, emphasizing patient safety, proper care techniques, and emergency response strategies.