Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

What does a nursing assistant recognize as a common complication of immobility in patients?

1. Speech impairment

2. Anxiety disorder

3. Pressure ulcers

4. Vision loss

The correct answer is: Pressure ulcers

The correct answer is pressure ulcers, which are indeed a common complication of immobility in patients. When individuals are unable to move freely, often due to illness, surgery, or other health issues, the constant pressure on certain areas of the skin can lead to sores, or ulcers. These pressure ulcers typically form over bony areas such as the heels, sacrum, elbows, and hips, where the weight of the body creates friction and reduces blood flow. Preventing pressure ulcers is a crucial responsibility for nursing assistants, as they can take measures such as repositioning patients regularly, ensuring proper nutrition, and maintaining skin hygiene to help minimize the risk of these sores developing. Recognizing the signs and risk factors for pressure ulcers allows nursing assistants to provide better care and improve patient outcomes. While other options might be related to the broader context of health complications, they are not directly linked to immobility in the same way that pressure ulcers are.