Pennsylvania CNA study plan

Define the nurse aide's scope of practice and list three tasks that must be reported to the licensed nurse rather than performed independently.

Recite the categories of resident rights from memory and give one concrete example of a violation for each category.

Trace the chain of command for a change in a resident's condition, naming who is notified first, second, and in an emergency.

Distinguish ethical behavior, negligence, abuse, and neglect by writing two original long-term care examples of each.

List the six links in the chain of infection and name one break point the nurse aide controls for each link.

Sequence hand hygiene and glove donning/doffing steps in the correct order and narrate them aloud without notes.

Identify at least 10 fall and injury hazards in a written room scenario and state the correction for each.

Explain correct body mechanics for lifting, transferring, and reaching, naming three practices you will use on every shift.

State the situations that require the nurse aide to report immediately rather than at end of shift.

Sequence the RACE response to a fire and state exactly when to use PASS on a small fire.

Describe the response to a choking resident (conscious versus unconscious) and to a resident found on the floor.

Explain the nurse aide's role in restraint use, including alternatives to try first and the checks required while a restraint is in place.

List safety measures for oxygen use and for residents with hearing, vision, or swallowing problems.

State the steps to take when a resident is missing or suspected of eloping.

Describe how to assist with bathing, mouth care, grooming, and dressing while preserving privacy, dignity, and resident choice.

Explain how to position a resident in good body alignment and how often to reposition based on condition.

Describe range-of-motion exercises and differentiate active from passive ROM with an example of each.

Identify three ways to encourage a resident to perform ADLs independently instead of completing the task for them.

Explain how to measure and record intake and output and compute a 24-hour total correctly.

Describe how to assist at mealtime, including positioning, feeding technique, pacing, and aspiration precautions.

Identify signs of dehydration, constipation, and urinary tract infection and state what to report and to whom.

Describe how to assist with toileting, catheter care, and bowel and bladder routines while protecting dignity.

Measure and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and weight, or narrate the exact step order.

List the steps of a complete bed bath, perineal care, and back massage in the correct order with safety checks inserted.

Describe how to make both an occupied and an unoccupied bed without injuring yourself or the resident.

Explain how to apply anti-embolic stockings and how to perform a safe transfer using a gait belt.

Identify six abnormal observations that must be reported immediately and give an example of each.

Describe postmortem care steps and the dignity considerations involved.

Differentiate normal aging changes from changes that must be reported, listing five of each.

Describe care approaches for a resident with dementia at early, middle, and late stages, including validation and redirection techniques.

Identify the signs of stroke, low blood sugar, and respiratory distress, and state the first action plus what to report for each.

Describe care for a resident with a urinary catheter, an ostomy, an IV line, or an oxygen device.

Explain the nurse aide's role in restorative and rehabilitation care and in caring for a resident with depression or confusion.

Complete two timed 100-question practice exams under realistic test conditions with no notes.

Rank your three weakest domains from those exams and re-study only those areas.

Recite 20 key numbers from memory, including temperature, pulse, and respiration ranges, repositioning intervals, and hand hygiene duration.

Walk through five skills aloud in exact sequence with every safety check stated.