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CNA Gerontological Nursing study materials
CNA Gerontological Nursing study resources

CNA Gerontological Nursing practice questions

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Question 1Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which change is a normal, expected part of the aging process rather than a sign of disease?

  1. New confusion that develops over one day
  2. A pressure injury that appears within hours
  3. Gradual loss of skin elasticity and thinning of the dermis Correct answer.
  4. Sudden onset of unilateral weakness

Explanation

Normal aging includes gradual structural changes such as thinner dermis, reduced collagen, and loss of elasticity, which raise skin fragility and tear risk. These changes develop slowly and are expected. Sudden focal weakness or acute confusion suggests an acute medical event, not aging.

Question 2Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

An older adult reports needing to get up twice each night to urinate. Which age-related change best explains this finding?

  1. Increased bladder capacity
  2. Reduced ability to concentrate urine Correct answer.
  3. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
  4. Weakened detrusor muscle contraction

Explanation

With age, the kidney's ability to concentrate urine declines, so more dilute urine is produced and nocturia becomes common. Reduced concentrating ability is a recognized normal renal aging change. Bladder capacity typically decreases rather than increases with age.

Question 3Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement best describes how presbycusis typically affects an older adult?

  1. Hearing loss is equal across all frequencies
  2. Speech is heard clearly but background noise is filtered out
  3. High-frequency sounds become difficult to hear first Correct answer.
  4. Low-pitched sounds become difficult to hear first

Explanation

Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss that usually begins in the high frequencies, so consonants and speech clarity suffer. Older adults often struggle to understand speech, especially with background noise. The loss is not uniform across frequencies.

Question 4Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

An older resident has not had a bowel movement in three days and reports hard, dry stool. Which age-related factor most directly contributes to this pattern?

  1. Faster colonic transit time
  2. Increased gastric acid secretion
  3. Increased thirst sensation
  4. Decreased intestinal motility and peristalsis Correct answer.

Explanation

Aging slows peristalsis and colonic motility, which prolongs transit time and allows more water to be reabsorbed, producing hard stool. Reduced thirst and lower fluid intake often compound the problem. Faster transit would produce looser, not harder, stool.

Question 5Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which principle guides nursing care based on the concept of homeostenosis in aging?

  1. Older adults tolerate illness with fewer visible signs until reserves are exhausted Correct answer.
  2. Older adults recover from stress faster than younger adults
  3. Older adults require lower doses of all medications regardless of kidney function
  4. Older adults have a wider margin of reserve before symptoms appear

Explanation

Homeostenosis describes the narrowed ability of older adults to maintain homeostasis under stress because organ reserve is reduced. Illness may therefore appear late and abruptly, after compensation fails. This principle supports close monitoring rather than assuming a mild presentation means mild illness.

Question 6Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which finding is most consistent with normal age-related vision change?

  1. Painless loss of central vision over months
  2. Increased need for brighter light to read Correct answer.
  3. A sudden curtain over part of the visual field
  4. New double vision when looking to one side

Explanation

Normal aging reduces pupil size and lens flexibility and increases light scatter, so older adults need more illumination for reading and close work. These changes are gradual and bilateral. Sudden field loss or new diplopia indicates a pathologic process requiring prompt evaluation.

Question 7Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which age-related immune change best explains why an older adult may not mount a fever with pneumonia?

  1. Reduced core body temperature baseline and blunted febrile response Correct answer.
  2. Heightened inflammatory response to infection
  3. Increased white blood cell count at baseline
  4. Increased antibody production

Explanation

Older adults often have a lower baseline body temperature and a blunted febrile response, so serious infection may present without fever. Immunosenescence also reduces the effectiveness of the immune response. Nurses should assess for other signs such as confusion, tachycardia, and functional decline.

Question 8Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

A nursing assistant is caring for an older adult with reduced touch and pain perception in the feet. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Trim corns and calluses with a blade
  2. Inspect the feet daily for injury, redness, and pressure areas Correct answer.
  3. Apply a heating pad at high setting to improve sensation
  4. Wait for the resident to report foot pain before checking

Explanation

Reduced sensation in the feet raises the risk that injuries, blisters, and pressure areas go unnoticed, so scheduled inspection is essential. Heat application and self-cutting of lesions risk burns and infection when sensation is impaired. Care should not depend on the resident reporting pain.

Question 9Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement about sleep architecture in later life is accurate?

  1. Time spent in bed increases while sleep efficiency falls Correct answer.
  2. Nighttime awakening becomes less frequent
  3. Deep slow-wave sleep increases with age
  4. Total sleep time usually rises above ten hours

Explanation

Older adults often spend more time in bed but sleep less efficiently, with more awakenings and lighter sleep stages. Slow-wave sleep and total sleep time typically decrease rather than increase. Knowing this helps nurses distinguish normal sleep change from treatable sleep disorders.

Question 10Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which change in body composition is expected with aging and affects medication effects?

  1. Increased lean muscle mass
  2. Decreased body fat percentage
  3. Decreased lean mass with increased fat proportion Correct answer.
  4. Increased total body water

Explanation

Aging typically reduces lean muscle mass and total body water while the proportion of body fat rises. Water-soluble drugs therefore reach higher concentrations, and fat-soluble drugs may accumulate and act longer. These shifts underlie the principle of starting low and going slow with medications.

Question 11Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement about thermoregulation in older adults is correct?

  1. Older adults sense temperature changes earlier than younger adults
  2. Core temperature is tightly maintained despite extreme heat
  3. Sweat gland response and vasodilation are reduced, raising heat illness risk Correct answer.
  4. Older adults shiver more effectively in cold environments

Explanation

Aging reduces sweat gland output, cutaneous vasodilation, and cardiovascular response, so heat is dissipated less efficiently and heat illness risk rises. Thirst is also blunted, worsening dehydration. Shivering response and temperature perception are typically reduced as well.

Question 12Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which age-related change most directly increases the risk of falls in an older adult?

  1. Increased muscle strength in the lower extremities
  2. Faster nerve conduction velocity
  3. Improved postural sway control
  4. Slower righting reflexes and reduced proprioception Correct answer.

Explanation

Aging slows nerve conduction and righting reflexes and reduces proprioceptive input, so balance corrections occur later and less accurately. These changes, combined with reduced muscle strength, raise fall risk. Faster conduction and improved sway control are not age-related changes.

Question 13Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

An older adult who lives alone has lost 5 percent of body weight in six months and reports that food no longer tastes right. Which explanation is most plausible?

  1. Taste and smell acuity decline with age and reduce food appeal Correct answer.
  2. Weight loss of this amount is always intentional in older adults
  3. Taste buds regenerate faster with age
  4. Aging reliably increases appetite and food enjoyment

Explanation

Declines in taste and smell acuity, along with reduced appetite and early satiety, commonly reduce food enjoyment and intake in later life. Unintentional weight loss of 5 percent or more in six months warrants nutritional assessment. Aging does not increase appetite or speed taste bud regeneration.

Question 14Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement best reflects the concept of ageism in gerontological nursing?

  1. It is limited to employment discrimination
  2. It includes assumptions that all older adults are frail or forgetful Correct answer.
  3. It refers only to deliberate hostility toward older adults
  4. It has no effect on clinical decision making

Explanation

Ageism encompasses stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age, including the assumption that frailty or cognitive decline is inevitable. Such assumptions can lead to underassessment and undertreatment. Ageism operates in everyday language and clinical decisions, not only in overt hostility or hiring practices.

Question 15Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which action best applies the principle of person-centered care for an older adult in a long-term care setting?

  1. Choosing activities for residents based on staff preference
  2. Scheduling all residents' baths at the same time for efficiency
  3. Limiting family involvement to prevent interference with care
  4. Asking the resident about lifelong routines and preferences and incorporating them Correct answer.

Explanation

Person-centered care respects each older adult's values, history, and preferences and builds routines around them rather than around institutional convenience. It supports autonomy, dignity, and engagement. Rigid schedules and exclusion of family undermine this principle.

Question 16Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement about cognitive aging in healthy older adults is accurate?

  1. Processing speed typically increases with age
  2. All cognitive abilities decline equally and rapidly
  3. New learning capacity is completely lost
  4. Crystallized knowledge such as vocabulary is often preserved Correct answer.

Explanation

In healthy aging, crystallized abilities such as vocabulary and accumulated knowledge tend to remain stable, while fluid abilities such as processing speed and divided attention may decline. New learning is still possible, though it may take more time and repetition. Decline is neither uniform nor complete.

Question 17Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

A nursing assistant notes that an older resident's usual mild forgetfulness has suddenly worsened, with fluctuating attention and disorientation over two days. What is the most appropriate interpretation?

  1. This is an expected progression of normal aging
  2. This is best managed by waiting a week to see if it resolves
  3. This pattern suggests delirium and requires prompt evaluation Correct answer.
  4. This confirms a new diagnosis of dementia

Explanation

Acute onset with fluctuating attention and disorientation is characteristic of delirium, a medical emergency often triggered by infection, medication, or metabolic disturbance. Normal aging does not produce sudden confusion. Dementia has an insidious, progressive course rather than an abrupt two-day change.

Question 18Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement about sexuality and intimacy in later life is accurate?

  1. Sexual function changes with age but interest and intimacy often continue Correct answer.
  2. Sexual interest and the need for intimacy disappear after age 65
  3. Sexually transmitted infection risk is negligible in this group
  4. Older adults no longer need privacy during personal care

Explanation

Sexual interest and the need for closeness commonly persist into later life, although physiologic changes may alter function. Nurses should respect privacy, avoid assumptions, and provide education, since sexually transmitted infection rates are rising in some older populations. Aging does not eliminate the need for intimacy.

Question 19Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which age-related cardiovascular change most affects how a nursing assistant should assist an older adult during morning care?

  1. Lower resting blood pressure in all older adults
  2. Decreased cardiac output reserve and slower heart rate recovery Correct answer.
  3. Faster baroreceptor response to position change
  4. Increased arterial compliance

Explanation

Reduced cardiac output reserve, stiffened arteries, and slower baroreceptor response make older adults prone to orthostatic hypotension and fatigue during activity. Care should move slowly and allow rest with position changes. Arterial compliance decreases, and baroreceptor reflexes slow rather than speed up.

Question 20Aging Process and Gerontological Principles

Which statement about oral health and aging is correct?

  1. Older adults should stop routine dental visits after age 70
  2. Xerostomia in older adults is always caused by aging alone
  3. Daily oral care and regular dental visits remain important in later life Correct answer.
  4. Tooth loss is an inevitable result of aging

Explanation

Natural teeth can be retained into later life with good hygiene and regular professional care, and oral health affects nutrition, comfort, and infection risk. Tooth loss is not inevitable and often reflects disease or access barriers. Dry mouth is frequently caused by medications and conditions rather than aging alone.

Question 21Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A nursing assistant is speaking with a resident who has mild hearing loss. Which action best supports clear communication?

  1. Raise the pitch of the voice while speaking
  2. Stand behind the resident and speak loudly
  3. Cover the mouth while speaking to reduce distraction
  4. Face the resident and speak clearly at a moderate pace Correct answer.

Explanation

Facing the person allows them to see lip movements and facial expressions, which support understanding when hearing is reduced. Speaking clearly at a moderate pace gives the listener time to process words without distortion. Shouting or raising pitch often makes speech harder to understand.

Question 22Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which communication approach is most appropriate when assisting a resident with moderate dementia?

  1. Speak rapidly to match the resident's thought process
  2. Use long, detailed sentences to give full context
  3. Use short, simple sentences and one idea at a time Correct answer.
  4. Ask several questions at once to save time

Explanation

Short, simple sentences with one idea reduce cognitive load for a person with dementia. Giving one instruction at a time helps the resident process and respond successfully. Complex or rapid speech increases confusion and frustration.

Question 23Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident is crying after learning that a roommate died. Which response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?

  1. Reassure the resident that everything will be fine
  2. Change the subject to a cheerful topic
  3. Explain that the roommate was very old anyway
  4. Sit quietly nearby and acknowledge the resident's sadness Correct answer.

Explanation

Acknowledging feelings and offering quiet presence validates the resident's grief without minimizing it. Therapeutic communication accepts emotion rather than dismissing or redirecting it. False reassurance and topic changes block the resident from expressing loss.

Question 24Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A nursing assistant wants to promote a resident's independence during morning care. Which statement best supports this goal?

  1. I will do everything so you do not have to worry
  2. You can brush your own hair and I will help with the back Correct answer.
  3. It is easier if I choose your clothes for you
  4. We need to hurry, so let me finish dressing you

Explanation

Offering choices and allowing the resident to perform tasks they can manage preserves autonomy and dignity. Assistance should fill only the gaps the resident cannot do alone. Taking over all tasks promotes dependence and lowers self-esteem.

Question 25Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which behavior by a nursing assistant best respects a resident's privacy during a conversation about health concerns?

  1. Discussing the concern in the busy dining room
  2. Pulling the curtain and lowering the voice in a private area Correct answer.
  3. Continuing the conversation in the hallway near others
  4. Sharing the details with a visiting family friend

Explanation

Health information should be discussed in a private setting where others cannot overhear. Pulling a curtain and lowering the voice protects confidentiality and preserves dignity. Public areas and sharing with unauthorized people violate privacy.

Question 26Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident with aphasia struggles to find words after a stroke. Which technique best facilitates communication?

  1. Ask yes-or-no questions and allow extra time to respond Correct answer.
  2. Speak louder so the resident can understand
  3. Finish the resident's sentences quickly
  4. Ignore the resident's gestures and wait for speech

Explanation

Closed questions reduce the demand to find words and allow the resident to communicate successfully. Allowing extra time respects the slower word-finding process. Gestures are valid communication and should be encouraged, not ignored.

Question 27Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which action best demonstrates active listening when a resident describes feeling lonely?

  1. Interrupting to share a similar personal story
  2. Nodding while checking the medication cart
  3. Facing the resident, making eye contact, and summarizing what was said Correct answer.
  4. Writing notes without looking up

Explanation

Active listening involves full attention, eye contact, and reflecting back what was heard to confirm understanding. This conveys respect and encourages the resident to continue. Divided attention or interrupting undermines trust.

Question 28Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident repeatedly asks when lunch will be served. Which response is most appropriate?

  1. Stop worrying, it will happen soon enough
  2. You already asked me that three times
  3. Lunch is at noon, and I will remind you again later Correct answer.
  4. I do not know, ask someone else

Explanation

Repeating the answer calmly and offering a reminder respects the resident and reduces anxiety. Repetitive questioning often reflects memory impairment or worry, not defiance. Scolding or dismissing the resident increases distress.

Question 29Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

When speaking with an older adult who uses a wheelchair, where should the nursing assistant position themselves?

  1. Behind the wheelchair
  2. Standing above the resident to show authority
  3. Several feet away near the doorway
  4. At eye level, facing the resident Correct answer.

Explanation

Positioning at eye level avoids talking down to the resident and supports equal, respectful interaction. Facing the resident also aids hearing and lip-reading. Standing over someone can feel intimidating.

Question 30Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident becomes agitated and yells during a conversation. Which initial response is best?

  1. Raise your voice to be heard over the resident
  2. Tell the resident to calm down immediately
  3. Stay calm, lower your voice, and give the resident space Correct answer.
  4. Continue the conversation as if nothing happened

Explanation

A calm, quiet response and physical space help de-escalate agitation by reducing stimulation. Modeling calm behavior can settle the resident. Matching the resident's volume or demanding calm usually escalates the situation.

Question 31Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which statement by the nursing assistant best reflects the use of an open-ended question?

  1. How are you feeling about your upcoming discharge? Correct answer.
  2. Do you want your bath before breakfast?
  3. Are you in pain right now?
  4. Did you sleep well last night?

Explanation

Open-ended questions invite explanation and cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Asking how the resident feels encourages fuller expression of concerns. Closed questions limit responses and gather only narrow information.

Question 32Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident speaks only Spanish and the nursing assistant does not. Which action is most appropriate?

  1. Use a qualified medical interpreter for the conversation Correct answer.
  2. Delay all care until a family member visits
  3. Ask another resident who speaks Spanish to translate
  4. Speak louder in English and use gestures only

Explanation

A qualified medical interpreter ensures accurate, confidential communication about care. Untrained translators, including other residents, may misinterpret and breach privacy. Delaying care can harm the resident.

Question 33Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which action best supports communication with a resident who has significant vision loss?

  1. Speak loudly because the resident cannot see
  2. Identify yourself when entering and describe what you are doing Correct answer.
  3. Rearrange items on the bedside table without telling the resident
  4. Approach silently to avoid startling the resident

Explanation

Announcing yourself and describing actions gives the resident orientation and reduces surprise. Consistent placement of items supports independence. Loud speech does not address vision loss and can be insulting.

Question 34Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

During a conversation, a resident says, "Nobody cares whether I live or die." What is the most appropriate response?

  1. That is not true, lots of people care about you
  2. You sound hopeless; tell me more about what you are feeling Correct answer.
  3. You should not say things like that
  4. Let us talk about something more pleasant

Explanation

Reflecting the resident's emotion and inviting more detail encourages expression and helps identify risk, including possible suicidal thoughts. Dismissing or correcting the statement shuts down communication. This kind of statement warrants careful assessment.

Question 35Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident with hearing aids is having trouble following instructions. What should the nursing assistant check first?

  1. Whether the resident needs a new care assignment
  2. Whether the room lights should be turned off
  3. Whether the hearing aids are turned on and working Correct answer.
  4. Whether the resident is deliberately ignoring instructions

Explanation

Before assuming a behavioral cause, verify that the hearing aids are functioning and properly placed. Equipment problems are a common and correctable reason for communication difficulty. Assuming defiance is unfair and inaccurate.

Question 36Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident's family member asks the nursing assistant for details about another resident's diagnosis. What is the best response?

  1. Tell the family member to look in the chart
  2. Give only a little information to satisfy the request
  3. Explain that you cannot discuss other residents and redirect to the family member's own loved one Correct answer.
  4. Share the information because the family member seems concerned

Explanation

Confidentiality prohibits discussing one resident's health information with anyone not involved in that resident's care. Politely declining and redirecting maintains trust and follows privacy rules. Even partial disclosure breaches confidentiality.

Question 37Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which approach best helps an older adult with mild cognitive impairment make a decision about a daily activity?

  1. Decide for the resident to avoid confusion
  2. Present many options at once for full freedom
  3. Tell the resident the choice does not matter
  4. Offer two simple choices and allow time to decide Correct answer.

Explanation

Offering a small number of simple choices preserves autonomy while limiting cognitive demand. Allowing time supports processing. Too many options can overwhelm, and deciding for the resident removes dignity.

Question 38Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident uses a communication board after a stroke. How should the nursing assistant respond when the resident points to a symbol?

  1. Guess the meaning and move on quickly
  2. Ignore the board and ask questions verbally only
  3. Speak only to the family member instead
  4. Confirm the message by repeating it back and wait for a signal of agreement Correct answer.

Explanation

Repeating back the interpreted message and waiting for confirmation ensures accuracy and respects the resident's voice. Communication boards are a valid method that should be used consistently. Guessing risks misunderstanding care needs.

Question 39Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

Which behavior best conveys respect for a resident's cultural communication preferences?

  1. Ask the resident how they prefer to be addressed and involve family as the resident wishes Correct answer.
  2. Assume all residents prefer direct eye contact
  3. Use first names for everyone to seem friendly
  4. Avoid discussing culture to keep things simple

Explanation

Asking about preferences and honoring the resident's wishes regarding family involvement respects cultural norms and personal dignity. Assumptions about eye contact or naming can cause offense. Ignoring culture can undermine trust.

Question 40Communication and Interpersonal Skills with Older Adults

A resident is hard of hearing on one side. Where should the nursing assistant stand when speaking?

  1. Directly behind the resident
  2. Across the room in the doorway
  3. On the side with better hearing, facing the resident Correct answer.
  4. On the side with hearing loss

Explanation

Speaking on the side with better hearing and facing the resident maximizes sound reception and visual cues. Positioning behind or on the impaired side reduces comprehension. Distance further weakens communication.

Question 41Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident who is able to walk to the bathroom without help asks the nurse aide for a bedpan instead. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Report the request to the charge nurse as a behavior problem
  2. Encourage the resident to walk to the bathroom with standby assistance as needed Correct answer.
  3. Bring the bedpan promptly and say nothing about walking
  4. Tell the resident that bedpans are only for residents who cannot move

Explanation

Promoting independence is a core principle of gerontological care; residents who can ambulate should be encouraged to use the toilet with the least assistance required for safety. Staff should offer standby help rather than taking over a task the resident can do. Quietly accepting dependence risks rapid loss of function and dignity.

Question 42Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which action best protects a resident's privacy during a bed bath?

  1. Asking the roommate to step into the hallway
  2. Leaving the door ajar so staff can hear if help is needed
  3. Closing the door and covering the resident with a bath blanket Correct answer.
  4. Bathing only the arms and legs and skipping the rest

Explanation

Privacy is maintained by closing doors and curtains and exposing only the body part being washed. A bath blanket keeps the resident covered except for the area in use. This preserves dignity and warmth while still allowing care to be completed.

Question 43Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident is on fluid restriction. Which task should the nurse aide report to the nurse at once?

  1. The resident rinsed the mouth with mouthwash
  2. The resident asked for ice chips instead of water
  3. The resident voided a small amount of pale urine
  4. The resident drank the entire water pitcher between meals Correct answer.

Explanation

Fluid-restricted residents have a prescribed daily allowance, and unplanned large intake can cause fluid overload and harm. Any intake beyond the plan must be reported so the care team can adjust. Ice chips, urine output, and oral rinsing are routine observations, not emergencies.

Question 44Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

When giving mouth care to an unconscious resident, the nurse aide should place the resident in which position?

  1. Head tilted back over the edge of the bed
  2. Side-lying with the head turned toward the mattress Correct answer.
  3. Flat on the back with the head centered
  4. Sitting fully upright in a chair

Explanation

An unconscious resident cannot swallow or cough effectively, so secretions and rinse water must be allowed to drain out. Side-lying with the head turned lets fluid run from the mouth rather than into the airway. Suction equipment should be nearby.

Question 45Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident has a new order for a clear liquid diet. Which item is appropriate to serve?

  1. Cream of tomato soup
  2. Vanilla pudding
  3. Scrambled eggs
  4. Strained broth Correct answer.

Explanation

A clear liquid diet includes items that are transparent and liquid at room temperature, such as broth, clear juice, gelatin, and tea. These foods are easy to digest and leave little residue. Cream soups, pudding, and eggs are not clear liquids.

Question 46Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident with dysphagia is eating. Which observation should prompt the nurse aide to stop feeding and report immediately?

  1. The resident asks for a sip of water between bites
  2. The resident chews each bite slowly
  3. The resident coughs and the voice sounds wet after swallowing Correct answer.
  4. The resident eats only half of the meal

Explanation

Coughing with a wet, gurgling voice after swallowing suggests aspiration, in which food or fluid enters the airway. Feeding should stop and the nurse notified so the resident can be assessed. Slow chewing, sips of water, and a smaller intake are not signs of aspiration.

Question 47Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which technique is correct when the nurse aide brushes a resident's natural teeth?

  1. Use a firm brush on the tongue until it bleeds
  2. Scrub hard across the crowns only
  3. Brush gently along the gum line using short strokes Correct answer.
  4. Skip brushing if the gums look pale

Explanation

Plaque collects at the gum line, so short gentle strokes angled toward the gums remove it without injuring tissue. Hard scrubbing damages enamel and gums. Bleeding gums are a reason for gentler care and reporting, not rougher brushing.

Question 48Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident wears eyeglasses and has hearing loss in the left ear. Which action best supports communication?

  1. Speak rapidly to shorten the encounter
  2. Write every message on paper without speaking
  3. Speak clearly while facing the resident and standing on the right side Correct answer.
  4. Shout directly into the left ear

Explanation

Facing the resident allows lip reading and facial cues, and positioning on the better-hearing side improves reception. Clear speech at a moderate pace is more useful than shouting. Paper writing is a backup, not a routine substitute for speech.

Question 49Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

A resident with dementia becomes agitated during a shower. What is the best initial approach?

  1. Have two aides hold the resident in the shower
  2. Tell the resident the behavior is unacceptable
  3. Pause the shower and offer a calm, familiar alternative such as a partial bath Correct answer.
  4. Continue quickly to finish the task

Explanation

Agitation during bathing often signals fear, cold, or discomfort, so care should pause and be adapted. Offering a calm choice or a partial bath respects autonomy and reduces distress. Forcing or restraining a resident is never appropriate for routine hygiene.

Question 50Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which resident should the nurse aide reposition at least every two hours?

  1. A resident who walks to meals with a cane
  2. A resident who uses the toilet with one assist
  3. A resident who is immobile and confined to bed Correct answer.
  4. A resident who sits in a wheelchair and shifts weight independently

Explanation

Pressure injury risk rises with immobility, so bedbound residents need scheduled turning, usually every two hours, plus skin checks. Residents who move on their own redistribute pressure naturally. Repositioning schedules are individualized but routine turning is standard for immobile residents.