A resident who is NPO for a scheduled diagnostic test reaches for a cup of coffee a family member left on the tray. What should the CNA do FIRST?
Answer choices
- AAllow a few sips of coffee so the resident is comfortable before the test
- BExplain the NPO order but leave the coffee on the tray
- CRemove the coffee from the resident's reach immediately and notify the nurse
- DTake the coffee away and say nothing unless the resident asks again
About this question
What should a CNA do first when an NPO resident reaches for a drink a family member left on the tray? NPO (nothing by mouth) questions test whether you protect the order instead of negotiating sips for comfort. This is a classic ADL and abbreviations crossover stem. Read the wording and clinical context closely; those details determine the NNAAP competency being tested.
This scenario asks for the first correct action. Remove the coffee from the resident's reach immediately and notify the nurse. Do not allow a few sips, leave the cup while explaining the order, or remove the drink silently without reporting the near-miss. NPO overrides habit and hospitality. For npo resident reaches for drink, lock the sequence: secure the fluid, then report.
Reveal answer & explanationShow
Correct answer
- AAllow a few sips of coffee so the resident is comfortable before the test
- BExplain the NPO order but leave the coffee on the tray
- CRemove the coffee from the resident's reach immediately and notify the nurseCorrect
- DTake the coffee away and say nothing unless the resident asks again
Basic rationale
NPO means nothing by mouth. Remove all food and fluids from the resident's reach immediately and notify the nurse that the NPO order may have been violated.
Option explanations
- A: Incorrect. Any oral intake violates NPO.
- B: Incorrect. Remove prohibited items from reach.
- C: Correct. Protect the NPO order and report to the nurse.
- D: Incorrect. Report potential NPO violations to the nurse.
Deep Analysis
Core logic
An NPO order prohibits all oral intake. The CNA must immediately remove the coffee from reach to prevent the resident from drinking, then report the situation to the nurse.
Distractor analysis
A: Allowing sips violates the NPO order and may cancel the test. B: Leaving the coffee while explaining still allows the resident to drink. D: Removing the coffee without reporting misses required communication about a potential order violation.
Exam trap
Explaining the test schedule is helpful but secondary. Remove the prohibited item from reach first.
Memory tip
NPO breach risk: remove food and fluids from reach first, then notify the nurse.
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