CNA Skills Listing – 23 State Test Skills

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing the critical steps and key points for each of the 23 California CNA state-test skills.

Hand Hygiene (Hand Washing)

Address client, wet hands, lather 20 s keeping hands lower than elbows, clean nails, rinse, dry with clean towel, use towel to turn off faucet, never touch sink.

Applying a Knee-High Elastic Stocking

With client supine, turn stocking inside-out to heel, slide over toes/foot/heel, pull to knee without twists or wrinkles, heel and toe opening positioned correctly.

Ambulating with a Transfer Belt

Put non-skid shoes on client, lock bed, apply belt at waist, count to three, assist to stand grasping belt upward, walk 10 ft slightly behind/side, return and remove belt.

Assisting with a Bedpan

Provide privacy, lower head of bed, glove, place bedpan, raise head, leave tissue & hand wipe, remove gloves, later glove again, remove pan, empty/rinse, wash hands.

Cleaning an Upper or Lower Denture

Line or fill sink, glove, rinse denture, brush all surfaces with paste, rinse, place in cup with water, clean toothbrush, remove liner, hand hygiene.

Counting Radial Pulse

Locate pulse on thumb side of wrist, count beats for one full minute, record within ±4 beats of evaluator.

Counting Respirations

Observe chest rise/fall for one full minute, record rate within ±2 breaths of evaluator.

Donning & Removing PPE (Gown and Gloves)

Tie gown neck & waist, gloves over cuffs; remove gloves safely, untie gown, peel inside-out without touching outside, dispose properly, wash hands.

Dressing Client with Affected (Weak) Arm

Remove gown from strong side first, dress weak arm first, maintain modesty, move gently, finish with clothing neat.

Feeding a Client Who Cannot Feed Self

Verify client, sit them 75-90°, clean hands, sit facing client, describe food, offer small bites & beverage, check readiness, clean mouth/hands afterward.

Modified Bed Bath (Face, One Arm, Hand, Underarm)

Check water temp, glove, wash eyes inner-to-outer no soap, wash face, soap & wash/rinse/dry arm, hand, underarm, put on clean gown, clean basin.

Measuring Electronic Blood Pressure

Arm at heart level, correct cuff over brachial artery, start machine, wait for reading, remove cuff, record exact systolic & diastolic values.

Measuring & Recording Urinary Output

Glove, pour urine into graduate, measure on flat surface at eye level, round to nearest 25 ml, empty/rinse, record within ±25 ml.

Weighing an Ambulatory Client

Zero scale, client wears non-skid shoes, center on scale, read weight, assist off, record within ±2 lb (±0.9 kg).

PROM for One Knee & Ankle

Support leg; flex/extend knee 3×, dorsiflex/plantarflex ankle 3×, move slowly, stop if pain, place signaling device, wash hands.

PROM for One Shoulder

Support arm; flex/extend to ear level 3×, abduct/adduct to shoulder level 3×, move slowly, stop if pain, signaling device in reach.

Positioning on Side

Lower head of bed, raise side rail, roll client toward rail, place pillows under head, top arm, behind back, and between knees/ankles.

Female Catheter Care

Glove, linen protector, expose only needed area, hold catheter at meatus, clean, rinse, dry 4 in away from meatus using one-way strokes, replace items.

Foot Care on One Foot

Check water temp, glove, soak foot, soap & wash including between toes, rinse, dry well, apply lotion to top & bottom (not between toes), support foot/ankle.

Mouth Care

Sit client upright 75-90°, glove, towel over chest, wet brush, add toothpaste, brush teeth & tongue, allow rinse into basin, wipe mouth, clean equipment.

Female Perineal Care

Glove, pad under client, wash front to back with soap, rinse & dry same direction, turn client to wash/rinse/dry rectal area front to back, dispose linens.

Transfer from Bed to Wheelchair with Belt

Position & lock wheelchair, fold footrests, lock bed, client shoes on, apply belt, count to three, assist to stand, pivot, lower into chair, remove belt, feet on rests.

Manual Blood Pressure

Clean stethoscope, cuff over brachial artery, inflate 160-180 mm Hg, slowly deflate noting first (systolic) and last (diastolic) sounds, record within ±8 mm Hg.