Iowa CNA study guide
Iowa CNA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Iowa certified nurse aide (CNA) credential is the entry-level nursing assistant qualification used in Iowa's nursing homes, hospitals, home care agencies and other long-term care settings. In Iowa the credential is administered through the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry, which sits with the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL). The Iowa CNA study guide has 10 sections and about 3,382 words.
01Role of the Nurse Aide and the Health Care Team
The nurse aide is the member of the team who spends the most time with the resident and provides hands-on care under the direction of a licensed nurse. Iowa requires completion of an approved nurse aide training program and a competency evaluation before a person is listed on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry, which also records substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation.
358 words, about 2 min02Legal and Ethical Considerations, Resident Rights
Nursing homes are regulated by federal law (OBRA 1987) and state law, and Iowa keeps a Direct Care Worker Registry that records training completion and substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. Suspected mistreatment of a dependent adult must be reported.
677 words, about 3 min03Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Communication is verbal and nonverbal. Tone, facial expression, posture, and touch carry as much as words.
289 words, about 1 min04Infection Control and Asepsis
There are six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Hand hygiene breaks the most important link.
304 words, about 2 min05Safety and Emergency Procedures
Most falls happen during toileting and transfers. Keep the bed low and locked, the call light and personal items within reach, non-skid footwear on, the floor dry, and the lighting adequate.
292 words, about 1 min06Basic Nursing Skills and Vital Signs
Normal adult ranges: oral temperature about 97.6 to 99.6 F, pulse 60 to 100 per minute, respirations 12 to 20 per minute, blood pressure around 120/80, and oxygen saturation 95 to 100 percent. The resident's own baseline matters more than a single number; a change is what you report.
311 words, about 2 min07Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living
Provide privacy and encourage independence: let the resident do whatever they can. Bathe from clean to dirty, cleanse perineal areas front to back, and dry skin folds thoroughly.
277 words, about 1 min08Nutrition, Hydration, and Feeding
Check the diet card against the tray and confirm the resident's identity. Verify the diet, the liquid consistency, and any allergies.
282 words, about 1 min09Restorative Care and Mobility
Restorative care helps residents regain and keep function: doing with the resident, not for them. Follow the care plan for range of motion, ambulation distance, and devices.
285 words, about 1 min10Mental Health, Social Service Needs, and Care of the Cognitively Impaired
Common issues in nursing homes include depression, anxiety, delirium, dementia, and substance use. Signs of depression include withdrawal, poor appetite, sleep changes, flat affect, and hopelessness; report any statement about self-harm immediately.
307 words, about 2 min