Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

To serve hot liquids to residents, a nursing assistant should:

1. Pour hot drinks away from residents

2. Place hot drinks on the edges of tables

3. Take the lids off of hot drinks just before serving them

4. Make sure residents are standing up before serving hot drinks

The correct answer is: Pour hot drinks away from residents

Serving hot liquids to residents requires careful attention to safety to prevent burns and spills. Pouring hot drinks away from residents is a critical practice because it minimizes the risk of scalding. By directing the pouring motion away from the individual, the nursing assistant reduces the chance of accidentally spilling hot liquid onto the resident, which could lead to serious injury. In carefully handling hot liquids, it is essential to ensure that both the resident's safety and comfort are prioritized. For instance, placing hot drinks on the edges of tables can create a hazard, as the drinks may easily be knocked over, increasing the risk of spills. Similarly, removing lids just before serving can lead to unexpected steam release that might cause burns. Additionally, serving hot drinks while residents are standing is not advisable, as it can be difficult to manage both the drink and posture, again increasing the risk of spills and accidents. Therefore, pouring hot drinks away from residents is the most effective method for ensuring safety during service.