North Carolina CNA Written Practice Exam

What should you do first if you find a resident on the floor?

1. Leave them there until help arrives

2. Check to see if you can get a response

3. Call the resident's family

4. Attempt to move them immediately

The correct answer is: Check to see if you can get a response

When you find a resident on the floor, the first step is to check to see if they can respond. This action is crucial because it helps to assess the resident's condition and level of consciousness. Verifying responsiveness can provide immediate information about their state of health and whether they may need urgent medical assistance. If the resident is conscious and responsive, you can gather more information about what happened and how they feel, which is essential for determining the best course of action. If they are unresponsive, this may indicate a more serious situation requiring immediate medical attention. In either case, ensuring the resident's safety and health is the priority, and checking for a response is a fundamental step in evaluating their condition before proceeding further. Addressing the other options, leaving the resident on the floor would expose them to potential complications, like further injury. Calling the resident's family should occur after ensuring the immediate safety and health of the resident, and it's not appropriate to move them without assessing their condition or unless trained to do so, particularly to prevent exacerbating any potential injuries.