CNA Practice Test – Communication

BID is a medical abbreviation, which derives from the original Latin term “Bis in die” which means twice a day. QD is once a day, TID is three times a day, and QID is four times a day.

Stopping what you are doing, facing your patient and making eye contact are all ways to signal that you are listening and to show them that what they are saying is important.  The other options may dissuade future conversations.

While all the options are correct steps in patient procedures; the first step should always be checking the patient’s identification.

Although some of the options may be acceptable for someone who has even a slight percentage of hearing; it is important, when dealing with a patient who cannot hear any sound, to have an easy alternative method of communication.

A medical record is a legal document.  Entries are never to be erased.  The other options are all part of the process for documenting in a patient’s medical record.

NPO is the medical abbreviation for ‘nothing by mouth.’  NOC is the medical abbreviation for ‘night.’ NKA is the medical abbreviation for ’no known allergies.’ And MN stands for Midnight.

The nurse is the one who should report these types of incidents to other staff members who are part of the healthcare team, including the patient’s physician.

A normal adult’s radial pulse is 60-100 beats per minute, depending on their activity level. 135 beats per minute is above normal and should be addressed immediately. The respiratory rate of 18 falls in a “normal” category and cloudy urine or loose stools may be a problem but not something that necessitates the label “STAT.”

It is not necessary for the patient to see your licensing cards.  The other options establish a level of courtesy, respect for privacy and personal engagement with your patient.

As an NA, you record the totals throughout your shift and they are always documented before you leave for the day.  The other options are incorrect.

A patient who has difficulties with their memory may feel worse if they are reminded of their forgetfulness.  Joking and laughing may often cause embarrassment and could show disrespect towards the patient.  Difficulties with memory may require more of your time when dealing with your patient, so time spent actively listening and showing care is definitely the best answer in this case.

Not sleeping well can be caused by a number of reasons.  However, visual impairment would not be one of them.  Each of the other options, are common indicators that your patient has a visual impairment.

When a patient loses or feels a reduction in the use of their taste, smell, hearing or sight senses, this is usually a sign of sensory impairment.  Sensory overload and sensory stimulation are an increase to the patient’s senses and sensory depravation is when there is a deliberate reduction or elimination of stimuli to the senses.

The patient must always have input regarding their needs and wishes.  Family members may always add or correct the information, should the patient confuse any details.  It is the care facility’s duty to build a rapport with the patient and the patient needs to feel like they have been a part of the entire process.  More often than not, family members have just as much difficulty accepting the placement in the facility as the patient.  Therefore it is comforting for both parties to have facility staff to take a personal interest in their patients.

Aggravating a resident by trying to reason with them, can cause agitation.  Saying that everyone gets upset over some things from time-to-time does not validate the patient’s feelings that they have the right to be upset.  Offering to listen and tell the health care team will allow them to vent their frustrations and to know that you care enough about their well being to try and get them additional help.

The nurse will always chart a patient’s intravenous fluids.  All of the other choices would be required documentation on the patient’s intake records.

Although taping a patient’s catheter down may inadvertently let family members and visitors know that the indwelling catheter is not to be removed, this is not the primary reason why it is done.  All of the other choices are correct.

Each of the above options can individually interfere with the communication between a nursing assistant and their patient.  All of them combined could make communication even more difficult.  By listening to your patient carefully and observing their behaviour, an NA can sometimes notice small nuances and ‘read between the lines.’  This can enable them to be even more understanding of what type of response is needed.  As their caregiver, you must take the time to explain procedures and ask if your patient has any questions.

This question was created to test your understanding of unspoken actions or behaviour that could provide a negative message to your patient.  Keeping your hands on your hips with pursed lips sends a poor message, whether you have said anything or not.  All of the other choices are also poor communication techniques but they are verbal.

If a patient were to hear a nursing assistant criticize their fellow co-workers, it makes the patient feel uncomfortable.  The patient might worry that you are also doing the same thing to them whenever they are not around.  Speaking in this manner shows a lack of empathy for others and will make your patient feel less likely to open up to you or that your care is insincere.

It will only further frustrate your patient if you try and complete his sentences.  It will also make him feel like you are rushing him through the conversation.  The other options are all appropriate actions to take while you’re dealing with a patient who has a speech impairment.