Answer Key for Mosby’s Essential for Nursing
Assistants Workbook 7th Edition
Verified Solutions 2026/2027 Edition
1. A nursing assistant is caring for a resident who has a suspected respiratory infection.
The resident coughs frequently, has a runny nose, and asks the nursing assistant to adjust
their blanket and refill their personal water bottle. Which action is most important to
prevent the spread of infection?
A. Assist the resident with meals in the dining room.
B. Wear gloves, a gown, and a mask when in contact with the resident.
C. Encourage the resident to share personal items with roommates.
D. Wash hands before and after contact with the resident.
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent the transmission of germs between
residents and staff. PPE protects against droplets but hands can still transmit pathogens. Sharing
personal items increases the risk of infection. Washing hands ensures both resident and nursing
assistant are protected.
2
A resident with limited mobility uses a wheelchair to move from the bedroom to the
bathroom. The nursing assistant notices the floor is wet, electrical cords are loosely placed,
and a chair partially blocks the pathway. The resident asks for immediate assistance. What
should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Move the chair, tidy the floor, and remove cords from walkways.
B. Ensure the resident is safe and remove immediate hazards.
C. Document the hazards in the resident’s chart.
D. Inform housekeeping to clean the room later.
Rationale:
Resident safety takes top priority over documentation or waiting for others. Immediate hazards
increase the risk of falls. Addressing hazards first prevents accidents. Documentation and
housekeeping notifications are secondary.
3
A resident has the following vital signs: Temperature 101.2°F, Pulse 112 bpm, Respirations
24 per minute, Blood Pressure 102/64 mmHg, and Oxygen saturation 91%. The resident
appears fatigued and is breathing faster than usual. What should the nursing assistant do
first?
,A. Encourage the resident to drink water and rest.
B. Record the vital signs in the chart.
C. Report findings to the nurse immediately.
D. Recheck vital signs in one hour.
Rationale:
The resident shows signs of infection and possible hypoxia. Immediate reporting allows the
nurse to assess and intervene quickly. Encouraging fluids or waiting to recheck could delay
treatment. Accurate reporting is critical for resident safety.
4
A resident who recently had hip replacement surgery complains of sudden swelling,
redness, and pain in the left calf. Vital signs show oxygen saturation of 66%, pulse 155
bpm, and blood pressure 74/40 mmHg. Which action should the nursing assistant take
first?
A. Encourage gentle ankle exercises and ambulation.
B. Apply a warm compress to the affected leg.
C. Notify the provider immediately for suspected deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary
embolism.
D. Elevate the affected leg and wait for next vital sign check.
Rationale:
Sudden calf pain, swelling, and low oxygen saturation with hypotension indicate a possible life-
threatening condition. Immediate notification is essential. Gentle exercises, warm compresses, or
elevation alone are insufficient. Prompt action can prevent serious complications or death.
5
A nursing assistant is assisting a resident with feeding. The resident has a history of
dysphagia and begins to choke on food during lunch. What is the priority action?
A. Continue feeding slowly to complete the meal.
B. Stop feeding immediately and ensure the airway is clear.
C. Record the choking incident after the meal.
D. Call housekeeping to assist with cleanup.
Rationale:
Clearing the airway is the priority to prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise. Continuing
to feed or delaying action can cause hypoxia. Documentation and cleanup are secondary. Prompt
intervention ensures resident safety.
6
A resident recovering from abdominal surgery reports severe abdominal pain and nausea.
Vital signs show a temperature of 100.8°F, pulse 110 bpm, respirations 22 per minute, and
blood pressure 100/60 mmHg. The resident asks for pain medication. Which action should
the nursing assistant take first?
,A. Offer water to the resident and encourage rest.
B. Administer over-the-counter pain medication.
C. Notify the nurse immediately of the resident’s condition.
D. Reassess vital signs in 30 minutes.
Rationale:
The resident’s elevated vital signs and severe pain may indicate a complication, such as infection
or internal bleeding. Nursing assistants cannot administer medication without an order.
Immediate reporting ensures timely assessment and intervention.
7
A resident with dementia becomes agitated and tries to leave the unit unsupervised. The
nursing assistant knows the resident is at risk for falls. What is the most appropriate first
action?
A. Physically restrain the resident to prevent wandering.
B. Approach calmly, use the resident’s name, and redirect them to a safe area.
C. Ignore the behavior and let the resident wander.
D. Call housekeeping to assist with supervision.
Rationale:
Calm redirection and using the resident’s name de-escalates agitation and keeps them safe.
Physical restraint is only a last resort. Ignoring the behavior or calling non-clinical staff does not
protect the resident.
8
A nursing assistant is assisting a resident with dressing. The resident is right-handed but
has weakness in the right arm following a stroke. Which method should the nursing
assistant use to dress the resident safely and respectfully?
A. Dress the stronger arm first.
B. Dress the weaker arm first.
C. Encourage the resident to participate as much as possible, starting with the weaker arm.
D. Dress the resident quickly without explanation.
Rationale:
Starting with the weaker arm promotes independence and reduces discomfort. Encouraging
participation respects the resident’s dignity. Dressing quickly or starting with the stronger arm
can cause frustration or injury.
9
During morning care, a resident complains of dizziness when sitting up from the bed. The
nursing assistant notes the resident’s blood pressure is 86/54 mmHg and pulse is 120 bpm.
What is the priority action?
, A. Assist the resident to lie back down and notify the nurse immediately.
B. Encourage the resident to walk to the bathroom slowly.
C. Give the resident a glass of juice to raise blood pressure.
D. Record the vital signs and continue care.
Rationale:
Low blood pressure with dizziness increases the risk of falls. The priority is resident safety and
immediate notification. Encouraging walking or delaying action could cause injury.
10
A resident with a urinary catheter complains of lower abdominal discomfort and observes
cloudy urine with a strong odor. What should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Increase the resident’s fluid intake and continue care.
B. Empty the catheter bag and clean the perineal area.
C. Report the findings to the nurse immediately.
D. Record the observation in the resident’s chart.
Rationale:
Cloudy urine with odor may indicate a urinary tract infection. Immediate reporting allows
assessment and possible treatment. Cleaning and documentation are secondary actions.
11
A resident recovering from a hip replacement reports pain rated 8/10 on a 0–10 scale, but
refuses pain medication. Which is the most appropriate nursing assistant action?
A. Tell the resident they must take the medication to recover.
B. Ignore the complaint and continue care.
C. Report the resident’s pain level to the nurse and document the refusal.
D. Encourage the resident to exercise instead of using pain medication.
Rationale:
Pain assessment and reporting are critical for proper management. Residents have the right to
refuse medication. Ignoring the complaint or forcing action violates resident rights.
12
A resident has stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum. The nursing assistant is assigned to
reposition the resident. How often should the resident be repositioned to prevent further
skin breakdown?
A. Every 6 hours.
B. At least every 2 hours.
C. Once per shift.
D. Only when the resident complains of discomfort.
Assistants Workbook 7th Edition
Verified Solutions 2026/2027 Edition
1. A nursing assistant is caring for a resident who has a suspected respiratory infection.
The resident coughs frequently, has a runny nose, and asks the nursing assistant to adjust
their blanket and refill their personal water bottle. Which action is most important to
prevent the spread of infection?
A. Assist the resident with meals in the dining room.
B. Wear gloves, a gown, and a mask when in contact with the resident.
C. Encourage the resident to share personal items with roommates.
D. Wash hands before and after contact with the resident.
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent the transmission of germs between
residents and staff. PPE protects against droplets but hands can still transmit pathogens. Sharing
personal items increases the risk of infection. Washing hands ensures both resident and nursing
assistant are protected.
2
A resident with limited mobility uses a wheelchair to move from the bedroom to the
bathroom. The nursing assistant notices the floor is wet, electrical cords are loosely placed,
and a chair partially blocks the pathway. The resident asks for immediate assistance. What
should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Move the chair, tidy the floor, and remove cords from walkways.
B. Ensure the resident is safe and remove immediate hazards.
C. Document the hazards in the resident’s chart.
D. Inform housekeeping to clean the room later.
Rationale:
Resident safety takes top priority over documentation or waiting for others. Immediate hazards
increase the risk of falls. Addressing hazards first prevents accidents. Documentation and
housekeeping notifications are secondary.
3
A resident has the following vital signs: Temperature 101.2°F, Pulse 112 bpm, Respirations
24 per minute, Blood Pressure 102/64 mmHg, and Oxygen saturation 91%. The resident
appears fatigued and is breathing faster than usual. What should the nursing assistant do
first?
,A. Encourage the resident to drink water and rest.
B. Record the vital signs in the chart.
C. Report findings to the nurse immediately.
D. Recheck vital signs in one hour.
Rationale:
The resident shows signs of infection and possible hypoxia. Immediate reporting allows the
nurse to assess and intervene quickly. Encouraging fluids or waiting to recheck could delay
treatment. Accurate reporting is critical for resident safety.
4
A resident who recently had hip replacement surgery complains of sudden swelling,
redness, and pain in the left calf. Vital signs show oxygen saturation of 66%, pulse 155
bpm, and blood pressure 74/40 mmHg. Which action should the nursing assistant take
first?
A. Encourage gentle ankle exercises and ambulation.
B. Apply a warm compress to the affected leg.
C. Notify the provider immediately for suspected deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary
embolism.
D. Elevate the affected leg and wait for next vital sign check.
Rationale:
Sudden calf pain, swelling, and low oxygen saturation with hypotension indicate a possible life-
threatening condition. Immediate notification is essential. Gentle exercises, warm compresses, or
elevation alone are insufficient. Prompt action can prevent serious complications or death.
5
A nursing assistant is assisting a resident with feeding. The resident has a history of
dysphagia and begins to choke on food during lunch. What is the priority action?
A. Continue feeding slowly to complete the meal.
B. Stop feeding immediately and ensure the airway is clear.
C. Record the choking incident after the meal.
D. Call housekeeping to assist with cleanup.
Rationale:
Clearing the airway is the priority to prevent aspiration and respiratory compromise. Continuing
to feed or delaying action can cause hypoxia. Documentation and cleanup are secondary. Prompt
intervention ensures resident safety.
6
A resident recovering from abdominal surgery reports severe abdominal pain and nausea.
Vital signs show a temperature of 100.8°F, pulse 110 bpm, respirations 22 per minute, and
blood pressure 100/60 mmHg. The resident asks for pain medication. Which action should
the nursing assistant take first?
,A. Offer water to the resident and encourage rest.
B. Administer over-the-counter pain medication.
C. Notify the nurse immediately of the resident’s condition.
D. Reassess vital signs in 30 minutes.
Rationale:
The resident’s elevated vital signs and severe pain may indicate a complication, such as infection
or internal bleeding. Nursing assistants cannot administer medication without an order.
Immediate reporting ensures timely assessment and intervention.
7
A resident with dementia becomes agitated and tries to leave the unit unsupervised. The
nursing assistant knows the resident is at risk for falls. What is the most appropriate first
action?
A. Physically restrain the resident to prevent wandering.
B. Approach calmly, use the resident’s name, and redirect them to a safe area.
C. Ignore the behavior and let the resident wander.
D. Call housekeeping to assist with supervision.
Rationale:
Calm redirection and using the resident’s name de-escalates agitation and keeps them safe.
Physical restraint is only a last resort. Ignoring the behavior or calling non-clinical staff does not
protect the resident.
8
A nursing assistant is assisting a resident with dressing. The resident is right-handed but
has weakness in the right arm following a stroke. Which method should the nursing
assistant use to dress the resident safely and respectfully?
A. Dress the stronger arm first.
B. Dress the weaker arm first.
C. Encourage the resident to participate as much as possible, starting with the weaker arm.
D. Dress the resident quickly without explanation.
Rationale:
Starting with the weaker arm promotes independence and reduces discomfort. Encouraging
participation respects the resident’s dignity. Dressing quickly or starting with the stronger arm
can cause frustration or injury.
9
During morning care, a resident complains of dizziness when sitting up from the bed. The
nursing assistant notes the resident’s blood pressure is 86/54 mmHg and pulse is 120 bpm.
What is the priority action?
, A. Assist the resident to lie back down and notify the nurse immediately.
B. Encourage the resident to walk to the bathroom slowly.
C. Give the resident a glass of juice to raise blood pressure.
D. Record the vital signs and continue care.
Rationale:
Low blood pressure with dizziness increases the risk of falls. The priority is resident safety and
immediate notification. Encouraging walking or delaying action could cause injury.
10
A resident with a urinary catheter complains of lower abdominal discomfort and observes
cloudy urine with a strong odor. What should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Increase the resident’s fluid intake and continue care.
B. Empty the catheter bag and clean the perineal area.
C. Report the findings to the nurse immediately.
D. Record the observation in the resident’s chart.
Rationale:
Cloudy urine with odor may indicate a urinary tract infection. Immediate reporting allows
assessment and possible treatment. Cleaning and documentation are secondary actions.
11
A resident recovering from a hip replacement reports pain rated 8/10 on a 0–10 scale, but
refuses pain medication. Which is the most appropriate nursing assistant action?
A. Tell the resident they must take the medication to recover.
B. Ignore the complaint and continue care.
C. Report the resident’s pain level to the nurse and document the refusal.
D. Encourage the resident to exercise instead of using pain medication.
Rationale:
Pain assessment and reporting are critical for proper management. Residents have the right to
refuse medication. Ignoring the complaint or forcing action violates resident rights.
12
A resident has stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum. The nursing assistant is assigned to
reposition the resident. How often should the resident be repositioned to prevent further
skin breakdown?
A. Every 6 hours.
B. At least every 2 hours.
C. Once per shift.
D. Only when the resident complains of discomfort.
