Cheat sheet
CNA Cheat Sheet
Role + Responsibilities
- 12% of exam
- Scope Delegation Reporting Documentation
Communication
- 12% of exam
- Therapeutic Talk Listening Barriers Teamwork
Infection Control
- 12% of exam
- Hand Hygiene PPE Precautions Cleaning
Safety + Emergency
- 12% of exam
- Falls Body Mechanics Fire Emergency Picker
Personal Care
- 18% of exam
- Bathing Dressing Perineal Care Toileting
Basic Nursing Skills
- 18% of exam
- Vitals Positioning Transfers Nutrition Skills Picker
Mental Health
- 8% of exam
- Dementia Depression Behavior Coping
Legal + Ethical
- 8% of exam
- Rights HIPAA Abuse Advance Directives
Quick Facts
- Credential CNA
- Parts Written + skills
- Written Often 60-70 questions
- Skills Usually 5 skills
- Always Handwashing + indirect care
- Pass State specific
- Registry State nurse aide
Report vs Record RO
Report
- Tell nurse
- Change in condition
Record
- Chart facts
- Care performed
- Tell vs chart
Scope RO
- CNA role Basic resident care
- RN/LPN Delegates care
- Assessment Nurse responsibility
- Diagnosis Never CNA duty
- Care plan Follow exactly
- Report change Tell nurse promptly
- Documentation Facts only
- Refusal Report, do not force
Objective vs Subjective RO
Objective
- Observed data
- Measured vital
Subjective
- Resident says
- Pain report
- Seen vs said
Communication CO
- Active listening Attend and reflect
- Open question Encourages detail
- Closed question Specific answer
- Nonverbal Body language
- Validation Acknowledge feelings
- Aphasia Language impairment
- Hearing loss Face resident
- SBAR Structured report
Clean vs Dirty IN
Clean
- Washed area
- Fresh supplies
Dirty
- Contaminated area
- Used supplies
- Clean before dirty
Hand Hygiene IN
- Soap friction At least 20 seconds
- Before contact Clean hands first
- After gloves Wash again
- ABHR Alcohol rub
- Visible soil Use soap water
- Fingernails Clean underneath
- Faucet Use towel barrier
- Recontamination Avoid clean-hand contact
Precautions IN
- Standard Every resident
- Contact Gloves and gown
- Droplet Mask close care
- Airborne Special room
- PPE Exposure barrier
- Dirty linen Hold away
- Bag linen At point of use
- Disinfection Kills most pathogens
Fire RACE SA
- Rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish.
- Rescue Alarm Contain Extinguish
Restraint vs Assistive SA
Restraint
- Restricts movement
- Requires order
Assistive
- Supports independence
- Promotes safety
- Restrict vs support
Emergency Picker SA
- Resident falls → Call nurse first
- Choking occurs → Call for help
- Fire seen → RACE
- Unresponsive resident → Activate emergency
- New chest pain → Report immediately
- Abuse suspected → Report immediately
- Refusal occurs → Respect and report
- Spill occurs → Follow facility policy
Safety SA
- Fall risk Call light nearby
- Bed low Brake locked
- Gait belt Transfer support
- Body mechanics Wide base
- Ambulation Walk beside weak side
- Restraint Only per order
- RACE Fire response
- PASS Extinguisher steps
PASS SA
- Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.
- Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep
Personal Care PE
- Privacy Cover and close
- Drape Expose only area
- Oral care Brush gums/tongue
- Denture Handle over towel
- Perineal care Front to back
- Catheter care Clean away from meatus
- Nail care No diabetic trimming
- Foot care Dry between toes
Skills Picker NU
- Before resident contact → Hand hygiene
- Starting any skill → Provide privacy
- Need transfer → Lock brakes
- Resident stands → Use gait belt
- Feeding resident → Sit upright
- Measuring urine → Use graduate
- Weak side exists → Support weak side
- Skill complete → Call light near
Vitals NU
- Temperature Body heat
- Pulse Rate and rhythm
- Respirations Count quietly
- BP Systolic/diastolic
- Apical pulse Stethoscope at apex
- Radial pulse Wrist artery
- Pulse ox Oxygen saturation
- Pain Resident report
Mobility NU
- Fowler Head elevated
- Supine On back
- Lateral On side
- Transfer Bed to chair
- ROM Joint movement
- Dangling Sit before standing
- Cane Strong side
- Walker Move walker first
Nutrition NU
- Aspiration Food enters airway
- Dysphagia Swallowing difficulty
- Thickened liquids Swallow protection
- I&O Intake and output
- NPO Nothing by mouth
- Feeding Small bites
- Diet card Follow exactly
- Fluid restriction Measure all intake
Dementia ME
- Reality orientation Use with confusion
- Validation Accept feelings
- Sundowning Evening confusion
- Wandering Ensure safety
- Agitation Reduce stimuli
- Routine Promotes security
- Hallucination Do not argue
- Depression Report withdrawal
Resident Rights LE
- Privacy, dignity, choice, safety.
- Privacy Dignity Choice Safety
Neglect vs Abuse LE
Neglect
- Care omitted
- Needs unmet
Abuse
- Intentional harm
- Physical/verbal/sexual
- Omission vs harm
Rights LE
- Privacy Personal information protected
- Dignity Respectful care
- Choice Resident preferences
- Confidentiality Need-to-know only
- Abuse Report immediately
- Neglect Failure to care
- Exploitation Improper personal gain
- Advance directive Care wishes document
Common Traps
Handwashing Skill
- Always scored ≠ Avoid recontamination
Resident Falls
- Do not move ≠ Call nurse first
Food Refusal
- Do not force ≠ Report intake
Confidentiality
- No hallway talk ≠ Need-to-know only
Denture Care
- Use towel basin ≠ Avoid breakage
Perineal Care
- Front to back ≠ Clean to dirty
Last Minute
- 1. Handwashing is always scored
- 2. Indirect care runs throughout
- 3. Call light within reach
- 4. Lock wheels before transfer
- 5. Report condition changes promptly
- 6. Never force resident refusal
- 7. Clean from clean to dirty
- 8. Perineal care front to back
- 9. Document facts only
- 10. Abuse suspicion: report now
CNA Certified Nursing Assistant
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