Cheat sheet

Massachusetts CNA Cheat Sheet

Physical Care Skills

35%of exam

ADLsBathing + GroomingFeedingEliminationTransfers + ROM

Basic Nursing + Safety

25%of exam

Vital SignsInfection ControlFall PreventionFire SafetyEmergencies

MA Role + Regulations

20%of exam

MGL 19AAbuse ReportingMA NARScopeMOLST

Psychosocial Care

12%of exam

DementiaRightsDignityGriefEnd of Life

Communication + Records

8%of exam

SBARObjective vs SubjectiveChartingHIPAAProxy

Quick Facts

Exam
MA NA Competency Eval
Provider
D&S / Headmaster
Knowledge
60 MCQs, 60 min
Pass
76% knowledge
Skills
5 skills, all pass
Training
75 hours min
Fees
$40 / $50 / $70
Attempts
4 written / 3 skills

Dress + Transfer

Weak arm in, strong side leads

Dress: weak firstUndress: strong firstTransfer: strong sideSupport weak

Dressing vs Undressing

Dressing

  • Weak arm first
  • Support joint
  • Affected side

Undressing

  • Strong arm first
  • Leave weak last
  • Gentle

Weak in, strong out

Skill Safety First

  1. Start any skillWash hands(Always scored)
  2. Before careKnock + identify
  3. PrivacyCurtain + drape
  4. TransferLock wheels, gait belt
  5. Done with careLower bed, call light
  6. End of skillWash hands again

ADLs + Personal Care

Bathing
Cleanest to dirtiest
Perineal care
Front to back
Oral care
Even if NPO
Dressing
Weak arm first
Undressing
Strong arm first
Nail care
No diabetic clipping
Shaving
Razor with grain
Denture care
Line sink, water

Transfers + Mobility

Gait belt
Around waist
Transfer side
Toward strong side
Body mechanics
Bend knees
ROM
Never past pain
Mechanical lift
Two staff
Logroll
Spine aligned
Fowler's
Head elevated
Dangle
Before standing

Fire RACE

Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish

R: rescue peopleA: pull alarmC: close doorsE: extinguish small

C. diff vs Sanitizer

C. diff

  • Spore forming
  • Soap + water
  • Friction

Sanitizer

  • Fast routine
  • No visible soil
  • Not for spores

Spores need soap

Emergency Response

  1. FireRACE then PASS(Rescue first)
  2. Resident chokingAbdominal thrusts
  3. Active seizureProtect head(No restraint)
  4. Resident fellDo not move, call nurse
  5. Suspected strokeNote time, alert nurse
  6. Spill hazardStay, clean, signage

Vital Sign Normals

Temp oral
97.6-99.6 F
Pulse adult
60-100 bpm
Respirations
12-20 per min
BP normal
Under 120/80
Hypertension
140/90 or higherReport
O2 sat
95-100% normal
Apical pulse
Full minute count
Pain
5th vital sign

Extinguisher PASS

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

P: pull pinA: aim baseS: squeeze handleS: sweep side

Infection Control

Hand hygiene
Best preventionKey
Standard precautions
Treat all blood
Don order
Gown then gloves
Doff order
Gloves off first
C. diff
Soap, not sanitizer
Airborne
TB, N95 mask
Droplet
Flu, surgical mask
Sharps
No recapping

Safety + Emergencies

RACE
Rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish
PASS
Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep
Falls
Call light reach
Choking
Abdominal thrusts
Seizure
Protect, do not restrain
Restraints
Last resort, order
Bed position
Lowest, locked
Oxygen sign
No open flame

MA Abuse Lines

Elder 922, Facility 462, Disabled 426

EPS: 922-2275DPH: 462-5540DPPC: 426-9009Plus tell supervisor

MOLST vs Health Care Proxy

MOLST

  • Medical order
  • CNA follows it
  • CPR + treatment

Proxy

  • Names a person
  • MGL 201D
  • Future decisions

Order vs decision-maker

MA Reporting Picker

  1. Elder 60+ abusedEPS (800) 922-2275(Oral now)
  2. Abuse in LTCDPH (800) 462-5540(24/7)
  3. Disabled adult 18-59DPPC (800) 426-9009
  4. Any suspicionTell supervisor(Also)
  5. Written follow-upWithin 48 hours
  6. Resident states abuseBelieve + report

MA Laws + Regs

MGL 19A s.15
Elder abuse reportingMA
MGL 111 s.72G
Facility abuse reporting
105 CMR 150
LTC facility standards
105 CMR 155
Abuse + registry rules
105 CMR 156
Nurse aide training
MGL 201D
Health Care Proxy
MA NAR
MA Nurse Aide Registry
OBRA 1987
Federal aide standards

EPS vs DPH Hotline

EPS 922-2275

  • Elder 60+
  • Community + home
  • MGL 19A

DPH 462-5540

  • LTC facility
  • Resident abuse
  • MGL 72G

Where abuse happened

MA Reporting Lines

Elder 60+
EPS (800) 922-2275Hotline
EPS timing
Oral now, written 48h
LTC facility
DPH (800) 462-5540
Disabled 18-59
DPPC (800) 426-9009
First step
Tell supervisor too
Reasonable cause
No proof needed
Mandated reporter
CNA must report
Failure to report
Violates state law

CNA vs Nurse Tasks

CNA

  • ADLs + vitals
  • Reposition
  • Report changes

Nurse

  • Meds + IVs
  • Sterile care
  • Assessments

Care vs clinical

Scope + Role

Within scope
ADLs, vitals, hygiene
Out of scope
No meds, no IVs
Sterile tasks
Nurse only
Delegation
Nurse stays accountable
Report changes
Tell the nurse
MA NAR contact
(617) 753-8144
Renewal
8 paid hours / 2 yrs
Renewal cost
Free, no CE

Dementia + Rights

Validation
Enter their reality
Sundowning
Worse late day
Elopement
Wandering away risk
Redirection
Shift the focus
Resident rights
OBRA protected
Privacy
Knock, curtain, drape
Grief
Kubler-Ross stages
End of life
Comfort, presence

Objective vs Subjective

Objective

  • You measure
  • Vital signs
  • Visible signs

Subjective

  • Resident reports
  • Pain, nausea
  • Their words

Seen vs stated

Communication + Records

Objective
Measured, observed
Subjective
Resident states
SBAR
Situation, background, assess, recommend
Chart rule
Not done, not done
Error fix
Line out, initial
HIPAA
Need to know
Aphasia
Allow extra time
Hard of hearing
Face, low pitch

Common Traps

MOLST vs proxy

MOLST is an order Proxy names a person

Where to report

EPS for elders DPH for facilities

C. diff hand care

Use soap + water Sanitizer fails spores

Dressing direction

Weak arm dressed first Strong arm undressed first

Scope of practice

CNA does ADLs Nurse gives meds

Charting honesty

Chart only done care Never pre-chart

Last Minute

  1. 1.Knowledge: 60 MCQs, 60 minutes
  2. 2.Pass mark: 76% knowledge test
  3. 3.Skills: pass all 5 demonstrated
  4. 4.Provider: D&S Diversified (Headmaster)
  5. 5.Training: 75 hours before testing
  6. 6.Attempts: 4 written, 3 skills
  7. 7.Elder 60+ abuse: EPS (800) 922-2275
  8. 8.LTC facility abuse: DPH (800) 462-5540
  9. 9.MOLST = order; Proxy = decider
  10. 10.Renew: 8 paid hours / 2yr
  11. 11.Always wash hands first and last
  12. 12.Transfer toward the strong side
Same family resources

Explore More CNA

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.