Which task is within the scope of practice for a CNA?

• A. Assisting with activities of daily living under supervision.
• B. Completing initial patient assessments and developing care plans.
• C. Prescribing medications.
• D. Interpreting laboratory results.

Answer: (C)

Understanding what CNAs can do in daily practice helps explain why assisting with activities of daily living under supervision is within their scope. CNAs provide hands-on help with daily care tasks that support a patient’s basic needs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, toileting, mobility, and positioning, all while under the supervisor of a licensed nurse. They also perform routine observations and report findings, but they do not perform initial patient assessments, develop care plans, prescribe medications, or interpret laboratory results. Those latter responsibilities require nursing licensure and specific training. So helping with ADLs under supervision aligns with what CNAs are trained and authorized to do, while the other tasks are outside their scope.