Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of routinely weighing residents?

1. Assessing their physical fitness

2. Determining medication dosage

3. Tracking nutritional intake

4. Adjusting their exercise routine

The correct answer is: Tracking nutritional intake

Routinely weighing residents primarily serves the purpose of tracking nutritional intake. Regular weight measurements can provide valuable insights into a resident's overall health and nutritional status. A significant weight loss may indicate poor nutritional intake, while weight gain could suggest that the resident is receiving more calories than necessary, which may lead to issues such as obesity. Monitoring weight can also help identify any health issues that may require intervention, such as malnutrition or dehydration. Keeping track of residents' weights can alert healthcare workers to changes that may necessitate further assessment or modification of dietary plans to ensure that dietary needs are being met effectively. While assessing physical fitness, determining medication dosage, and adjusting exercise routines all relate to health and wellness, they do not directly focus on the nutritional aspect like weight tracking does. Therefore, recognizing the importance of weight in relation to nutrition is essential for a comprehensive approach to resident care.