Therapeutic and Technical Procedures
This topic covers vital signs, specimens, oxygen precautions, prosthetics, devices, enemas, warm and cold applications, and procedures done under nurse direction.
How to study for the CNA exam
Build every answer around safety, dignity, infection control, scope of practice, observation, reporting, and client independence.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Technical tasks must match training, assignment, facility policy, and nurse direction.
Exam cue: Check assignment and policy before performing a technical task.
Concept 2
Vital signs and measurements require accuracy, proper equipment, and immediate reporting of abnormal findings.
Exam cue: Measure carefully and report abnormal or changed values.
Concept 3
The nurse aide never adjusts treatments, medications, oxygen flow, or devices beyond assigned scope.
Exam cue: Do not adjust ordered therapies without nurse direction.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Changing oxygen settings because the client feels short of breath.
Guardrail: Avoid answers that force care, skip hand hygiene, move injured clients, expose private information, ignore changes, or perform nurse-only tasks.
Guessing a vital sign or measurement.
Guardrail: Avoid answers that force care, skip hand hygiene, move injured clients, expose private information, ignore changes, or perform nurse-only tasks.
Performing a procedure not assigned or not trained.
Guardrail: Avoid answers that force care, skip hand hygiene, move injured clients, expose private information, ignore changes, or perform nurse-only tasks.
Memory anchors
Assigned Task
A nurse aide performs only tasks assigned, trained, and allowed by policy.
Vital Sign Accuracy
Vital signs must be measured accurately and reported when abnormal or changed.
Temperature Timing
Recent hot or cold intake can affect oral temperature readings.
Pulse Count
Pulse is counted and recorded using the assigned method and time.
Respiration Count
Respirations are counted without coaching the client to change breathing.
Oxygen Flow
The nurse aide does not change oxygen flow unless specifically trained and directed.
Specimen Label
Specimens require correct collection, labeling, and prompt handling.
Prosthetic Care
Prosthetic and assistive devices are handled safely and according to the care plan.
Warm Cold Application
Temperature treatments require skin checks and nurse direction.
Report Abnormal
Abnormal readings or client complaints are reported to the nurse.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Before measuring vital signs, what should the aide do?
A resident has just walked rapidly from therapy. When should routine resting vital signs be taken?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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