Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

Upon finding a conscious patient lying on the bathroom floor, the first action of the nurse aide should be to?

1. Assess the patient's injuries

2. Call for assistance from the charge nurse

3. Help the patient up

4. Check the patient's vital signs

The correct answer is: Call for assistance from the charge nurse

When a nurse aide encounters a conscious patient lying on the floor, it is critical to first call for assistance from the charge nurse. This step ensures that the nurse aide is not only focused on the immediate needs of the patient but also enlists the help of a qualified professional who can provide further evaluation and intervention. In an emergency, while it might seem instinctive to tend to the patient directly, calling for assistance is vital for several reasons. It ensures the safety of both the patient and the aide, as attempting to move the patient without proper assessment could exacerbate any injuries. Additionally, the charge nurse generally has more training and authority to assess and manage the situation, ensuring that appropriate protocols are followed and that medical assistance can be summoned if needed. Taking this initial action allows the nurse aide to remain within their scope of practice while ensuring that the patient receives the care they need in a controlled manner. Once assistance has been called, the nurse aide can then focus on further assessing the patient’s condition safely, following the lead of the charge nurse.