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CNA exam topic: safety, falls and emergencies

14 exam-style questions with the answer and the exact rule from federal regulations or CDC guidance.

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1. When installing a bed rail, how should a nurse aide determine the appropriate dimensions for the bed?By ensuring the bed's dimensions are appropriate for the resident's size and weight. The aide must verify that the bed size corresponds specifically to the individual resident's physical size and weight.
   42 CFR § 483.25(n): “Ensure that the bed's dimensions are appropriate for the resident's size and weight.”
2. What is required regarding the maintenance of battery-operated smoke alarms installed in resident areas?A program for inspection, testing, maintenance, and battery replacement conforming to manufacturer's recommendations. The facility must maintain a specific program for testing and maintaining the alarms according to manufacturer guidelines.
   42 CFR § 483.90(a): “Have a program for inspection, testing, maintenance, and battery replacement that conforms to the manufacturer's recommendations and that verifies correct operation of the smoke alarms.”
3. During a morning round, a nurse aide notices the thermostat in a resident's room is set to 68°F. Based on the temperature requirements for facilities certified after October 1, 1990, what should the aide do?Adjust the thermostat to ensure the room is between 71°F and 81°F. The regulation mandates a specific temperature range of 71 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, so the aide must adjust the setting to fall within this compliant range.
   42 CFR § 483.10(i): “Facilities initially certified after October 1, 1990 must maintain a temperature range of 71 to 81 °F”
4. When serving meals to residents, which characteristic of the food and drink is required by the regulations?Food must be palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. The rule mandates that food and drink be palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature.
   42 CFR § 483.60(d): “Food and drink that is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature”
5. What is the required action for a feeding assistant if an emergency arises while assisting a resident?Call a supervisory nurse for help. In emergency situations, the protocol requires the feeding assistant to immediately seek assistance from a supervisory nurse rather than handling the situation alone.
   42 CFR § 483.60(h): “In an emergency, a feeding assistant must call a supervisory nurse for help.”
6. A nurse aide is preparing to install a side rail on a resident's bed. According to federal regulations, what must the aide do immediately before installing the rail?Assess the resident for risk of entrapment. The regulation requires assessing the risk of entrapment before installing bed rails to ensure safety.
   42 CFR § 483.25(n): “Assess the resident for risk of entrapment from bed rails prior to installation.”
7. During a declared Public Health Emergency (PHE) for an acute infectious illness, what specific data regarding staff must the facility electronically report?Relevant confirmed infections for staff. The regulation lists relevant confirmed infections for staff as a required data element to be reported during a Public Health Emergency.
   42 CFR § 483.80(g): “(i) Relevant confirmed infections for staff.”
8. What is the primary requirement for preventing accidents in the resident environment?Ensure the environment remains as free of accident hazards as possible and provide adequate supervision and assistance devices. The regulation mandates a hazard-free environment combined with adequate supervision and assistive devices to prevent accidents.
   42 CFR § 483.25(d): “The facility must ensure that— (1) The resident environment remains as free of accident hazards as is possible; and (2) Each resident receives adequate supervision and assistance devices to prevent accidents.”
9. Which of the following is included in the required curriculum for safety and emergency procedures?The Heimlich maneuver. The rule specifically names the Heimlich maneuver as part of the required safety and emergency procedures training.
   42 CFR § 483.152(b): “Safety/emergency procedures, including the Heimlich maneuver;”
10. During a power outage, what specific systems must the emergency electrical power system supply power for, according to the building safety standards?Lighting all entrances and exits, fire detection and alarm systems, extinguishing systems, and life support systems. The rule lists specific critical systems (lighting entrances/exits, fire safety equipment, and life support) that must remain powered during an interruption, excluding general comfort items like HVAC or personal electronics.
    42 CFR § 483.90(c): “An emergency electrical power system must supply power adequate at least for lighting all entrances and exits; equipment to maintain the fire detection, alarm, and extinguishing systems; and life support systems in the event the normal electrical supply is interrupted.”
11. A nurse aide is reviewing the care plan for a resident who uses a bed rail. According to the regulations, who must be involved in the review of risks and benefits before the rail is installed?The resident or resident representative. The regulation requires that the risks and benefits be reviewed with the resident or their representative to obtain informed consent before installation.
    42 CFR § 483.25(n): “Review the risks and benefits of bed rails with the resident or resident representative and obtain informed consent prior to installation.”
12. When a nurse aide is setting up or checking a bed for a resident, what specific maintenance task regarding bed components must be performed according to facility standards?Conduct regular inspection of bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails to identify areas of possible entrapment. The regulation requires regular inspections of bed components to prevent entrapment hazards, which is a direct safety responsibility for the aide.
    42 CFR § 483.90(d): “Conduct regular inspection of all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails, if any, as part of a regular maintenance program to identify areas of possible entrapment.”
13. When installing smoke alarms in resident sleeping rooms and common areas, what type of alarms must be installed if the facility does not have a system-based detector or full sprinkler system?Battery-operated single station smoke alarms. The rule specifies that battery-operated single station smoke alarms are the required minimum installation for these areas.
    42 CFR § 483.90(a): “Install, at least, battery-operated single station smoke alarms in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations in resident sleeping rooms and common areas.”
14. When a nurse aide observes a resident needing assistance, how must the facility's call system function according to the standards?The call must relay directly to a staff member or a centralized staff work area. The regulation requires that the communication system ensures calls are relayed directly to staff members or a centralized work area to ensure timely assistance.
    42 CFR § 483.90(g): “The facility must be adequately equipped to allow residents to call for staff assistance through a communication system which relays the call directly to a staff member or to a centralized staff work area”

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