Free CNA Practice Test: 25 Questions with Answers and Explanations
This free CNA practice test has 25 multiple-choice questions covering the knowledge areas on nurse aide competency exams: the role of the nurse aide, infection control, safety and emergencies, basic patient care, communication and resident rights.
Most states' nurse aide exams have two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on clinical skills evaluation. This test helps you prepare for the written part. Check your state's candidate handbook for the exact format.
Questions
25
Time
~25 min
Aim for
80%+
Sign-up
Not needed
- 1Role of the Nurse Aide
A CNA's documentation must be:
Answer: A. Accurate, timely, and objective
Documentation is legal record of care. Must be objective (what was observed, not interpreted), timely (close to actual events), and accurate (precise measurements and details).
- 2Role of the Nurse Aide
A patient offers the nurse aide a generous cash tip after his discharge. The aide should:
Answer: B. Decline politely per facility policy
Most facilities prohibit accepting tips or significant gifts to maintain professional boundaries and avoid the appearance of favoritism. The aide should politely decline.
- 3Communication & Documentation
A 'nonverbal communication' includes:
Answer: C. Facial expression, body language, eye contact
Nonverbal communication (body language, facial expression, eye contact, touch, posture, distance) often conveys more than words. Watch patient's nonverbals and yours.
- 4Role of the Nurse Aide
While giving perineal care, the nurse aide should:
Answer: D. Provide privacy and explain the procedure
Privacy and dignity are central to patient rights. The aide must close the door, drape appropriately, and explain steps before performing intimate care.
- 5Infection Control
In the chain of infection, the link representing how the pathogen leaves the source is the:
Answer: A. Portal of exit
The chain of infection has six links: agent → reservoir → portal of exit → mode of transmission → portal of entry → susceptible host. Breaking any link prevents infection.
- 6Infection Control
CRE (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae) infections are a significant concern because they:
Answer: B. Are resistant to last-resort antibiotics and serious
CRE are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics (often the last resort for many infections), making infections difficult to treat. Strict contact precautions and surveillance are critical.
- 7Infection Control
A 'susceptible host' has:
Answer: C. Increased risk due to compromised defenses
Susceptible hosts (extremes of age, immunocompromised, malnourished, chronic disease) are at increased risk. Identifying them helps focus prevention efforts.
- 8Communication & Documentation
A 'SOAP' note structure stands for:
Answer: D. Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOAP: Subjective (patient reports), Objective (observed/measured data), Assessment (problem analysis), Plan (interventions). Common in progress notes.
- 9Role of the Nurse Aide
After helping a patient ambulate down the hallway, the nurse aide records the activity. The documentation should be:
Answer: A. Recorded promptly, accurately, and completely
Documentation should be done as soon as possible after the activity, accurately reflect what occurred, and be specific. Late or inaccurate records compromise patient safety and legal defensibility.
- 10Role of the Nurse Aide
When a patient lacks decision-making capacity and has no advance directive, healthcare decisions are typically made by:
Answer: B. A surrogate decision-maker per state hierarchy
State law typically defines a surrogate decision-maker hierarchy (spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, etc.) when an incapacitated patient has no advance directive.
- 11Patient Care
While assisting with hygiene for a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse aide should:
Answer: C. Clean the catheter from the meatus outward
Catheter care involves cleaning from the urethral meatus outward along the catheter (clean to dirty), without disconnecting the closed system or putting tension on the tubing.
- 12Role of the Nurse Aide
After initial CNA training, most states require ongoing education through:
Answer: D. Continuing education hours each renewal cycle
Most states require CNAs to complete continuing-education or in-service hours annually (often 12 or more) and to remain on the state CNA registry to keep working in nursing facilities.
- 13Patient Care
Eyeglasses should be cleaned with:
Answer: A. Mild soap and water; soft cloth (or proper cleaner)
Mild soap and water with a soft microfiber cloth (or commercial lens cleaner) safely clean lenses. Stiff or abrasive materials and harsh chemicals can damage lens coatings.
- 14Patient Care
A patient using a walker should:
Answer: B. Move walker first, then step into it
Walker technique: place walker about a step ahead, ensure all four legs touch ground, then step into the walker (weaker leg first). Maintains stability.
- 15Restorative & End-of-Life
A 'death rattle' is:
Answer: C. Noisy breathing from secretions
Death rattle is the gurgling sound from secretions in the airway near end of life. Repositioning and oral care help; suctioning may agitate. Common, not a sign of suffering.
- 16Emergencies & Safety
A patient on the unit suddenly has a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The aide should:
Answer: D. Protect the patient from injury and time the seizure
Protect the patient from harm (move objects, cushion the head), do not restrain or place anything in the mouth, time the seizure, and stay with the patient until it ends.
- 17Role of the Nurse Aide
Most facilities use an electronic health record (EHR). The CNA's documentation in the EHR should be:
Answer: A. Specific, accurate, factual, and entered timely
EHR entries should be specific, accurate, fact-based, and timely. Personal opinions and judgments outside CNA scope should be avoided. Late or batched entries reduce reliability.
- 18Emergencies & Safety
Strokes are categorized as ischemic (blocked vessel) or hemorrhagic (bleeding). About:
Answer: B. 85% are ischemic, 15% are hemorrhagic
About 85% of strokes are ischemic (blocked vessel from thrombus or embolus); 15% are hemorrhagic (bleed). Ischemic strokes may benefit from tPA if treated within the time window.
- 19Role of the Nurse Aide
An interdisciplinary care team meeting is held to:
Answer: C. Coordinate the patient's care plan across disciplines
Care team meetings ensure all professionals share information, agree on goals, and coordinate interventions. The CNA's observations are an essential part of these discussions.
- 20Emergencies & Safety
During a tornado warning, patients should be moved to:
Answer: D. Interior rooms or hallways away from windows
Tornado: interior hallways and rooms away from windows, on lowest floor possible. Glass-free zones. Some buildings have designated tornado shelters.
- 21Role of the Nurse Aide
A CNA who suspects abuse must:
Answer: A. Report to the supervisor and per state requirements
Mandated reporters (often including CNAs) must report suspected abuse per state law. Reporting to the supervisor and state agencies (Adult/Child Protective Services) is required.
- 22Restorative & End-of-Life
A CNA observes 'mottling' on the patient's extremities. This may indicate:
Answer: B. Approaching death (poor circulation)
Mottling (purplish/bluish patches) on extremities near end of life indicates decreased circulation. Combined with cool extremities, weak pulse, and other changes.
- 23HIPAA & Ethics
A 'breach' of PHI requires:
Answer: C. Notification to patients, HHS, and possibly media
Breach of unsecured PHI requires notification: affected individuals (within 60 days), HHS (annually or within 60 days for breaches affecting 500+), and media (for major breaches).
- 24HIPAA & Ethics
Documentation of patient care should be completed:
Answer: D. As soon as possible after the care is provided
Timely documentation is more accurate, supports continuity of care, and provides legal protection. Late or batched documentation is less reliable and may be challenged in court.
- 25Role of the Nurse Aide
A CNA's working hours and breaks must comply with:
Answer: A. Federal/state labor laws and facility policy
Working hours, overtime, meal breaks, and rest periods are governed by federal/state law plus facility policies. Many states have nurse staffing laws for safe ratios.
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