TheoryCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Practice Test
500+ CNA practice questions on patient care, safety and clinical skills, plus a skills-test checklist.
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam — full Q&A walkthrough
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30 free Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) questions
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Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When dressing a resident who has weakness on one side of the body, which arm should the nurse aide place into the sleeve first?
Correct — C. Dress the weaker (affected) side first and undress it last. This reduces strain on the limb and makes the task easier and safer for the resident. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
While giving a complete bed bath, in what general order should the nurse aide wash the body?
Correct — B. Wash from the cleanest area to the dirtiest, starting at the eyes and face and ending with the perineal area, to avoid spreading microorganisms. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When providing mouth care to an unconscious resident, the nurse aide should position the resident in which way?
Correct — A. Turning the head to the side lets fluid drain out of the mouth and helps prevent aspiration (fluid entering the lungs) in a resident who cannot swallow or cough on cue. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
How often should a nurse aide reposition a resident who is confined to bed and cannot move independently?
Correct — C. Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves pressure over bony areas and helps prevent pressure injuries (bedsores). -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Which areas of the body are at the highest risk for pressure injuries?
Correct — B. Pressure injuries develop where bone is close to the skin — the sacrum (tailbone), heels, hips, elbows, and shoulder blades — because blood flow is easily cut off there. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When giving perineal (peri) care to a female resident, the nurse aide should wipe in which direction?
Correct — A. Wiping front to back moves microorganisms away from the urethra and helps prevent urinary tract infections. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What is the safest water temperature range for a resident's tub bath or shower?
Correct — D. Bath water around 105°F is comfortable and safe. Always test the temperature first, because many residents have reduced skin sensation and can be burned without feeling it. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Before trimming or filing a diabetic resident's toenails, the nurse aide should:
Correct — B. Nurse aides generally do not cut the toenails of residents with diabetes or poor circulation because a small nick can lead to a serious infection. Report the need to the nurse. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When a resident wears dentures, the nurse aide should clean them:
Correct — C. Dentures are cleaned daily. Clean them over a water-filled basin or padded surface so they will not break if dropped, and use cool or lukewarm water (hot water can warp them). -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A resident is able to wash his own face and hands but needs help with the rest of the bath. The nurse aide should:
Correct — A. Promoting independence and self-care supports the resident's dignity and abilities. The aide assists only with what the resident cannot safely do alone. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should keep the bed rail on the far side:
Correct — B. The far side rail is raised to keep the resident from rolling out while the aide works on one side of the bed. Safety is maintained throughout the task. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What should the nurse aide do FIRST before beginning any personal care task with a resident?
Correct — C. Hand hygiene, correct resident identification, and explaining the procedure (which also gains consent) are basic steps that begin every care task. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
To help prevent skin breakdown, after washing the skin the nurse aide should:
Correct — D. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing (which can damage fragile skin), and dry skin folds well because trapped moisture promotes breakdown and infection. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Which of the following is the normal resting oral temperature range for an adult?
Correct — B. Average normal adult body temperature is about 98.6°F (37°C), with a normal range of roughly 97.6°F to 99.6°F. A temperature above this should be reported. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What is the normal pulse (heart rate) range for a resting adult?
Correct — C. A normal adult resting pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Rates outside this range should be reported to the nurse. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What is the normal respiratory rate for a resting adult?
Correct — B. Normal adult respirations are 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Count a full inhale and exhale as one respiration. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When counting a resident's respirations, the nurse aide should:
Correct — A. Respirations are counted without alerting the resident, because awareness of being watched changes the breathing pattern. Aides often keep fingers on the wrist as if still taking the pulse. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A blood pressure reading of 118/76 mmHg in an adult is best described as:
Correct — D. A normal adult blood pressure is below about 120/80 mmHg, so 118/76 is within normal limits. The top number is systolic and the bottom is diastolic. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
In which arm should the nurse aide AVOID taking a blood pressure?
Correct — C. Avoid taking blood pressure in an arm with an IV, a dialysis access site, a cast, or on the side of a mastectomy, because the cuff pressure can cause injury or give a false reading. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Which site is commonly used to measure pulse when the nurse aide counts it at the wrist?
Correct — B. The radial pulse, felt on the thumb side of the wrist, is the most common site for routine pulse measurement. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When weighing a resident to track changes accurately, the nurse aide should weigh the resident:
Correct — A. Consistency — same time, same scale, similar clothing — makes weight changes meaningful. A sudden weight gain or loss may signal a health problem and should be reported. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A resident's temperature is 101.8°F. The nurse aide should:
Correct — C. A temperature this high is a fever and is outside the normal range. The aide records it and reports it promptly to the nurse. Aides do not give medication. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
An oxygen saturation (pulse oximeter) reading on most adults is generally considered normal when it is:
Correct — B. A typical normal pulse oximeter reading is about 95-100%. Lower readings may indicate the resident is not getting enough oxygen and should be reported. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Which set of changes should the nurse aide report to the nurse right away?
Correct — D. A fast pulse and fast, labored breathing together suggest distress and must be reported immediately. The other readings are within normal limits. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Pain is sometimes called the 'fifth vital sign.' When a resident reports pain, the nurse aide should:
Correct — A. Pain is subjective — believe what the resident reports. The aide documents the complaint and reports it to the nurse, who manages treatment. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Orthostatic (postural) hypotension means blood pressure drops when a person:
Correct — C. Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure on standing, which can cause dizziness and falls. Help residents rise slowly and stay with them until steady. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What is the single most important and effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
Correct — B. Proper hand hygiene is the most effective action to prevent the spread of infection. It is done before and after every resident contact and after removing gloves. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
When washing hands with soap and water, the nurse aide should rub all surfaces for at least:
Correct — C. Hands should be scrubbed for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces including between fingers and under nails, then rinsed with fingertips pointing down. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
'Standard precautions' means the nurse aide treats which of the following as potentially infectious?
Correct — A. Under standard precautions, the blood and body fluids of every resident are treated as if they could be infectious, regardless of diagnosis. -
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
After removing soiled gloves, the nurse aide should:
Correct — D. Gloves are single-use. Remove them without touching the outside, discard them, and then perform hand hygiene, because hands can still become contaminated.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
Program Management In a quality management system focusing on continuous improvement, what is one of the MOST insightful metrics to evaluate its effectiveness? Select the best option.
A. Frequency of quality assurance meetings
B. Frequency of team-building activities
C. Number of supplier audits performed quarterly
D. Customer satisfaction levels ✓
Correct — D. Answer: Customer satisfaction levels In a quality management system, continuous improvement involves refining processes to meet customer needs and expectations. Monitoring customer satisfaction levels is one of the most insightful metrics because it directly reflects the effectiveness of quality management practices. Other actions like team activities or audit frequencies are beneficial but not as directly indicative of the system's success in fulfilling customer requirements.
Occupational Health And Applied Science Which of the following is NOT typically used to calibrate ergonomic evaluation tools for workplace posture assessments?
A. Reference photographs ✓
B. Anthropometric data
C. Software simulation based on kinetic models
D. Posture capturing system
Correct — A. Answer: Reference photographs. Calibration of ergonomic tools often utilizes anthropometric data, software simulations, and posture capturing systems. These methods ensure accuracy and reliability in measuring workplace postures. Reference photographs are useful for documentation and comparisons but not for calibrating accurate ergonomic measurements.
Advanced Application Of Safety Principles Given the following compounds spilled into a lake, determine which compound will remain suspended in the water. Analyze their specific gravities to make this determination. Compound Specific Gravity Compound A 0.8 Compound B 1.4 Compound C 1.0 Compound D 0.98
A. Compound D
B. Compound A
C. Compound B
D. Compound C ✓
Correct — D. Specific gravity indicates whether a substance will float, sink, or be neutrally buoyant in water. A specific gravity of 1.0 means the compound is neutrally buoyant and will stay suspended. Compound C has a specific gravity of 1.0 and will remain suspended in the water. Compounds with a specific gravity less than 1.0, like Compound A, will float, while those with a specific gravity greater than 1.0, like Compound B, will sink.
Training Why is performance evaluation conducted after a fire safety training program in the workplace?
A. To tailor training material for diverse workplaces
B. To assess improvement in safety practices ✓
C. To identify if new training is required for compliance
D. To evaluate the competency of safety inspectors
Correct — B. Answer: To assess improvement in safety practices. Evaluating training programs, like fire safety training, helps identify if there are improvements in safety practices. This feedback can indicate the effectiveness of the training, enabling adjustments to enhance future sessions, rather than seeking to customize materials to different audiences or identifying new training needs.
Emergency Management In a laboratory that handles chemicals, electrical equipment, and combustible metals, which type of fire extinguisher should be readily accessible to address all potential fire classes?
A. Multipurpose Dry Chemical (ABC or ABCD) ✓
B. Water (Class A)
C. Foam (Class B)
D. Carbon Dioxide (Class B & C)
Correct — A. A multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher (ABC or ABCD) is suitable for use on Class A, B, C, and D fires, making it ideal for laboratory environments where various fires may occur. Water extinguishers (Class A) are only for ordinary combustibles, foam extinguishers (Class B) are primarily for flammable liquids, and carbon dioxide extinguishers (Class B & C) are meant for liquid and electrical fires only.
Risk Management In aviation, pilots must constantly interact with various systems to ensure safe flight operations. Which type of system is primarily involved in a pilot's navigation tasks? Pilot Task Human-System Interaction Navigation Use of instruments and maps; interpreting radar data Communication Interaction with air traffic control; interpreting verbal instructions Flight Control Operating aircraft controls; monitoring system feedback Emergency Response Decision-making during unexpected events; assessing system warnings
A. Simple tools
B. Management systems
C. Complex systems ✓
D. External stressors
Correct — C. Answer: Complex systems Pilots rely on complex systems for navigation, which includes interpreting data from various instruments and radar. These systems provide necessary feedback to maintain safe and efficient flight paths.
Environmental Management Which of the following practices was banned under the Clean Air Act Amendments to prevent acid rain?
A. Installation of scrubbers in industrial facilities
B. The use of catalytic converters in automobiles
C. Burning of high sulfur coal in power plants ✓
D. Emission trading as a method for controlling pollution
Correct — C. Answer: Burning of high sulfur coal in power plants The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 targeted acid rain by addressing emissions responsible for its formation, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Specifically, they aimed to reduce SO₂ emissions from power plants that were using high sulfur coal. The amendments encouraged the development and use of technologies that would decrease these emissions, including alternatives to high sulfur coal. Catalytic converters and scrubbers, while part of pollution control measures, are not banned, and emission trading is a mechanism used to control pollution levels.
Program Management A manager at a manufacturing plant decides to involve employees in the decision-making process for improving safety protocols. What is the most likely outcome of this approach?
A. Deterred participation in safety meetings
B. Increased number of employee complaints
C. Increased acceptance and adherence to the new safety protocols ✓
D. Higher rates of absenteeism
Correct — C. Employees who are encouraged to contribute their ideas and provide input are generally more supportive of the outcomes, leading to better adherence to the new safety protocols. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, whereas increased complaints, discouraged participation, or absenteeism are not typically associated with involving employees in decision-making processes.
About the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test
Study smarter for the CNA exam, the U.S. Certified Nursing Assistant / NNAAP nurse aide certification test. This app gives you original practice questions organized around the standard nurse aide content areas, with a clear explanation for every answer so you learn the reasoning behind it.
What you get
- 130+ original practice questions covering Activities of Daily Living, Basic Nursing Skills, Vital Signs, Infection Prevention and Control, Resident Rights, Communication and Documentation, Safety and Transfers, Nutrition and Hydration, Psychosocial and End-of-Life Needs, Emergency Care and Basic CPR, and the Role of the Nurse Aide on the care team.
- Detailed explanations for every answer focused on safe, person-centered care.
- Timed mock exams that mirror a realistic test length and pass mark.
- Study by category to focus on your weak areas.
- Available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
You will be tested on
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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