Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

Can a nursing assistant take a telephone order from a physician?

1. Yes, if they are trained

2. No, that is not within the CNA's scope of practice

3. Yes, but only in emergency situations

4. No, but they can document the order

The correct answer is: No, that is not within the CNA's scope of practice

A nursing assistant is not authorized to take telephone orders from a physician because this task falls outside the scope of practice for CNAs. The role of a CNA is focused on providing direct patient care, such as assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, and reporting changes in patients' conditions to licensed nursing staff. Taking telephone orders requires a level of clinical judgment and understanding of medical directives that is typically reserved for licensed professionals, such as registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. In most healthcare settings, there are specific protocols and guidelines that dictate how and by whom orders can be taken and documented. CNAs are trained to support clinical staff but do not possess the training or legal authority to handle orders directly from physicians. This ensures patient safety and adherence to state regulations regarding nursing practice. While there are various situations where a CNA might document information, they cannot document orders directly from a physician, which further emphasizes their defined role within the healthcare team.