CNAMB case studies
CNAMB · Put your knowledge to work in context.
CNAMB is a certification exam for nursing assistants who take on medication-related responsibilities in long-term care, assisted living, and similar settings. It is intended for aides who want to document that they can safely assist with medications under a licensed nurse's delegation, and it assumes a foundation in basic bedside care. The CNAMB case studies are 5 cases and about 4,238 words.
1Morning Care for a Bed-Bound Stroke Resident with a Catheter
Whitfield, 78, is three weeks post left-hemisphere stroke with dense right-sided weakness and mild expressive aphasia. He is bed-bound, needs total assistance with all ADLs, and is on a 2-hour repositioning schedule.
863 words, about 4 min2Suspected Norovirus on the Unit: Supplies, Sequencing, and Pressure from the Charge Nurse
It is 06:30 on a 24-bed long-term care unit. Three residents have vomited since midnight and two of them also have watery diarrhea; one of these, Mrs.
850 words, about 4 min3Five Days Without a Shower, a Daughter with POA, and a Well-Meaning Aide
Kaur, 82, has moderate dementia and has refused her scheduled shower for five days, saying, "You're not taking my clothes off." She is continent, wears a fresh shirt daily, and has no skin breakdown, but her hair is unwashed and she has noticeable body odor. She will accept a shower only from one aide, Rosa, who is not back on the unit until 14:00; showers are scheduled from 08:00 to 14:00.
875 words, about 4 min4A Poured Medication Cup, a Home Supply of Long-Acting Tablets, and a Drowsy Resident
Patel, 70, has Parkinson's disease and dysphagia with honey-thick liquids ordered. His daughter brings a bottle of sustained-release oxycodone from home and asks you to crush one tablet into applesauce, because "he can't swallow pills and he's in pain." At 09:00 the medication aide is on break and the RN, who is hurrying to a wound care consult, says, "Just hand him the pills in the cup by his bed, they're already poured, I'll sign later." Mr.
829 words, about 4 min5New Confusion at 22:00 in an Older Adult with Dark, Strong-Smelling Urine
Nolan, 85, is usually alert and oriented to person, place, and time. At 22:00 you find her sitting on the edge of the bed picking at the blanket, saying, "The bugs are crawling on the wall." She feels warm, her oral temperature is 37.9 °C (100.2 °F), pulse 96, and she has not voided since 14:00 despite drinking about 400 mL.
821 words, about 4 min