Which task is OUTSIDE the typical scope of practice for a nurse aide?
Answer choices
- AAssisting a resident to walk in the hallway
- BMeasuring and recording oral fluid intake
- CInstilling prescribed eye drops into a resident's eyes
- DReporting increased confusion to the nurse
About this question
Which task is outside the typical scope of practice for a nurse aide? Scope questions separate ADLs, vitals, and reporting from licensed nursing tasks. Medication administration is the usual trap, including eye drops that look simple. Read the wording and clinical context closely; those details determine the NNAAP competency being tested.
This practice question asks which task is out of scope. Instilling prescribed eye drops is outside typical nurse aide practice. Assisting with ambulation, measuring oral intake, and reporting confusion are expected CNA actions. Unless state law and facility policy specifically authorize a limited trained task, do not give medications. For task outside nurse aide scope, sort each option into ADL/assist versus license-required.
Reveal answer & explanationShow
Correct answer
- AAssisting a resident to walk in the hallway
- BMeasuring and recording oral fluid intake
- CInstilling prescribed eye drops into a resident's eyesCorrect
- DReporting increased confusion to the nurse
Basic rationale
Nurse aides do not administer medications, including eye drops, unless state law and facility policy specifically allow limited tasks with training.
Option explanations
- A: Incorrect. Ambulation assistance is within scope.
- B: Incorrect. Intake/output measurement is within scope.
- C: Correct. Medication administration is outside typical CNA scope.
- D: Incorrect. Reporting observations is required.
Deep Analysis
Core logic
Scope of practice excludes medication administration, sterile procedures without training, and nursing judgment tasks.
Distractor analysis
A: Assisting with ambulation is within CNA scope. B: Measuring and recording intake is a common CNA task. D: Reporting changes in condition to the nurse is required CNA responsibility.
Exam trap
Eye drops are medications even if they seem simple.
Memory tip
Scope out: meds, sterile procedures, nursing diagnosis.
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