Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following should an NA report about a resident to the nurse immediately?

1. Family fighting.

2. Chest pain, high fever.

3. Watching too much TV.

4. Acting lonely.

The correct answer is: Chest pain, high fever.

The choice of reporting chest pain and high fever to the nurse immediately is important because these symptoms can be indicative of serious medical conditions. Chest pain may be a sign of a cardiovascular issue, such as a heart attack, or other serious respiratory problems. High fever can indicate an infection or other acute health issue that may require urgent attention. In the context of a healthcare setting, prompt reporting of such symptoms is crucial as they could significantly affect the resident's health and require immediate medical intervention. Delays in addressing these symptoms could lead to severe complications, making it vital for the nursing assistant to inform the nurse without hesitation. Other situations, such as family fighting, watching too much TV, or a resident acting lonely, while important in their own context, do not typically represent immediate medical emergencies that require urgent reporting to clinical staff. These situations may warrant attention and intervention, but they do not pose a direct threat to the resident's physical well-being in the same way that chest pain and high fever do.