CNA State Test practice 2026

Which of the following is the BEST way to prevent the spreading of germs?

Hand washing before and after patient care.

Which of the following is an example of subjective information?

The patient's pain level is 7/10.

You need to use a hoyer lift to transfer a patient. The patient is a two-assist. You’re in a hurry. You bring the hoyer lift into the room and the resident asks, “Are you going to get someone to help you?” What should you tell the patient?

Yes, I will get another CNA to help. Your safety comes first.

You have a patient that is on a bowel regimen but he has not had a bowel movement in 4 days. What is your next step?

Report this to the nurse in charge.

You have a patient on strict dysphagia precautions. The cafeteria sent her up a lunch tray. What item would you question if it arrived on the patient’s tray?

Regular orange juice.

The patient is lying in the supine position. In what position is the patient’s bed?

Flat

What is one reason why performing post-mortem care is essential?

Post Mortem care is crucial in maintaining the dignity and respect of the patient.

You are assisting a resident with ambulation. This patient uses a cane for ambulation. How should you assist this patient?

Stand on the patient's weaker side.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) understands that volunteering in the community, joining a senior citizen group, and exploring new hobbies and interests can help make the elder person’s life more fulfilling. These activities can do what for the resident’s outlook?

Give a sense of purpose.

You are caring for a patient that tells you, “I overheard the nurse telling my roommate that my roommate has cancer. Is he going to be okay? What type of cancer is it?” You know that you should

Explain to your patient that his roommate's health is confidential and that you are therefore unable to share any information.

Which of the following happens when a patient has a stroke?

The patient may have drooping of one side of the face.

Which of these are important for the care of a diabetic patient?

Keep his feet dry and warm with dry, clean socks.

A resident is hitting and kicking you while you and another CNA are trying to provide care. What should you do?

Ask the second CNA to get the nurse.

You are providing education to a female resident about proper perineal care to promote self care. You explain to your patient that it is important to wipe from the front to the back to prevent bacteria from spreading from the rectum to the what?

Urinary meatus, same as urethra

The CNA measures the blood pressure of a client to be 200/ 180. The client is not in distress. What should the CNA do next?

Ensure the blood pressure cuff used is the correct size and repeat the measurement.

You notice a resident screaming at a co-worker? What should the aide do?

Call the charge nurse

Bedmaking technique includes eliminating wrinkles in the sheets. The CNA knows this technique assists to:

Prevent pressure sores

You have a 70 year old patient that is usually pleasant and easy going. Today she has cognitive delays, is hitting and kicking, and does not know who the staff are. Which condition is the patient likely experiencing?

Urinary tract infection

You are assisting a diabetic patient with eating and he only finished 25% of his meal. What should you do?

Report this to the nurse in charge

You have been busy during your 12 hour shift and haven’t been able to empty your patient’s Foley bag. You go in right before your shift is over to document output. What output amount would bring caution?

350mL

You have a patient experiencing the end of life. What would you expect the plan of care to include?

Ways to provide optimal comfort to the patient and family.

Which of the following represents the correct selection of size for a blood pressure cuff?

The width of the cuff is approximately 40% of the circumference of the arm.

The resident refuses to eat vegetables with meals or as snacks. The CNA should:

Notify the nurse so their nutritional status can be evaluated.

The Certified Nursing Assistant is aware that the resident sleeping more than usual, lack of interest in once-loved activities, and withdrawal from family and friends can be a sign of what condition?

Depression

Which of the following interventions should the CNA use to promote skin integrity?

Pad bony prominences when in bed.

The care plan for a client indicates they should be repositioned every two hours when in bed. Which of the following is the rationale for this nursing intervention?

Prevent skin breakdown

You have an infant that you are caring for on your unit. What is the MOST accurate way to retrieve a temperature on this patient?

Rectally

If asked to sign a resident’s will, the CNA should:

Decline and notify the nurse.

You are performing CPR with a second rescuer available to you. You are performing chest compressions. The second rescuer is giving oxygen via bag and mask. At what rate should CPR be performed?

30:2

You have a resident that has specific religious beliefs and has asked the kitchen to not send certain items on her tray. Upon delivering her tray the resident tells you that she cannot eat this tray because of her religious beliefs. As the CNA, what is your next step?

Take the tray out, contact the nurse in charge, and assure her that you will be back shortly with a tray that fits her religious beliefs.

You are turning a patient during your rounds. What is the best way to ensure you do not pull the Foley catheter out?

Ensure that the catheter is secured to the inner thigh.

The patient that is bed bound is at risk for which of the following?

Atrophy

Upon finding some unlabeled pills in a nightstand, the CNA should

Notify the nurse immediately.

When a resident is acting out or having behavioral disturbances, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is aware of what action should be taken first?

Provide for patient and staff safety

You assess your patient and he has a fever of 102.1, HR 101, RR 22. The patient appears sweaty. He most likely has what?

An infection

You are performing CPR on an adult patient. At what rate should you use to properly provide CPR?

100-120 compressions per minute

What is the proper measurement for measuring bodily fluids?

Milliliters

A resident wants a copy of their medical records. The CNA should

Provide the record release forms and advise the supervisor.

You as the CNA see a nurse give a patient milk, which the patient is allergic to. This nurse has been made aware of the patient’s allergy multiple times and has been asked to stop giving the patient milk on several occasions. What is your next step?

Tell your nursing supervisor.

Which is the BEST way to take an apical pulse?

To the left of the sternum at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.

Two unmarried residents are cuddling in a common area. The CNA should:

Allow them to enjoy each other's company.

The CNA is assisting a client who is on swallowing precautions after a cerebral vascular accident. Which of the following should be incorporated into the plan of care for this client?

Client should not be left unattended when eating.

Which of the following should be included when beginning to reposition a patient higher in the bed?

Lower the head of the bed

You have a patient that has incontinence who wears briefs. What is necessary for patients with stress incontinence?

Frequent toileting breaks throughout the day.

A resident’s family member provided them with a pornographic magazine. The CNA should:

Ask them to keep it in their room to avoid offending others.

You are performing CPR on an adult patient. What is the correct depth per compression you should use?

2 inches

Contact precautions include what?

Gloves, gown

You have a patient that has recently been to his oncologist. The oncologist informed the patient’s daughter that the patient’s cancer is back. The daughter informs you of this but asks you not to tell the patient. How would you approach this situation?

Encourage the daughter to inform the patient of the diagnosis because the patient has a right to know

Seniors like to make their own decisions and can do so unless they are cognitively declining. The Certified Nursing Assistant is aware that one of the best ways to respect the resident’s decisions is to do what?

Actively listen to the resident

You have a patient who is sweating, has a low heart rate, fruity smelling breath, and can barely speak to you. What is the next step you would take?

Obtain a POC glucose

A CNA is asked by another CNA to help get a resident up from the floor but is not told what happened. The CNA should:

Help the other CNA report the event to a supervisor.

You have a resident on day shift that is refusing a shower. He has not had a shower in 3 days. How would you respond to this resident?

Explain to him that it is his right to not take a shower and that you can try again tomorrow.

A patient is experiencing dark stools. Which of the following conditions is the patient likely experiencing?

GI Bleed

You are using a pulse oximeter on a patient. You know a pulse oximeter is used to measure what?

The amount of O2 in the patient's blood

You have a 75 year old patient that has multiple bruises in different stages of healing to the torso, arms, and back. What is the next step you should take?

Report possible abuse to the abuse hotline/adult protective services

A resident’s room is sloppy and the resident won’t tidy up. The CNA should:

Let the resident know that some of the things are a safety hazard and help them relocate the items.

One of the residents gets confused at night and wanders into other residents’ rooms. The CNA should

Provide companionship and supervise the resident's movements.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is aware of the importance of meeting the elderly resident’s emotional needs. This can be accomplished by regularly checking on the resident, keeping the call light within reach, and modifications of equipment and use of devices to prevent falls. All of these measures meet what emotional need of the elder?

Safety and security

You are providing perineal care to a resident when a second CNA barges into the room without knocking. What would you say to the CNA?

"I am providing care to this resident, please be sure to knock for the resident's privacy when entering the room."

Which of the following would the CNA anticipate participating in as part of client care during the shift assignment?

Assisting with bathing

In which type of container should blood soaked linens be disposed of?

A biohazard bag

Which of the following is not considered a bloodborne pathogen?

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria

If you find yourself being stuck by a needle while taking out the trash, what is your FIRST step?

Remove the needle from the wound

After turning on the faucet, what is your next step in the handwashing process?

Wet your hands throughly

How should the nurse aide dispose of a patient’s brief?

In a biohazard bag

Which of the following bodily fluids is not considered infectious to others?

Saliva

Which of the following is important to donn when caring for a patient with MRSA?

Gloves. Gown, Mask

Which of the following may be used by the nurse aide to protect oneself when using disinfectants?

Gloves. Gown, Mask

Why are false nails not acceptable in the healthcare environment?

They can harbor bacteria and other pathogens. They can interfere with the use of gloves. They can break and contaminate the environment.

Is it necessary to wash your hands after removing gloves?

Yes, always

Where should your hands be in relation to your forearms when washing your hands?

At the same level as your forearms

What type of immunity does one receive from vaccinations?

Active immunity

Which of the following procedures would require the healthcare professional to wear sterile gloves? (not CNA)

Administering an injection

What should be provided to the patient with C. diff who does not have a private toilet in their room?

A bedside commode

Where might you find PPE in your facility?

In the supply closet

Which of the following pathogens are NOT killed by alcohol-based hand gel?

Norovirus

What should you do if you are running a fever before your shift?

Report your fever to your supervisor and stay home

Which of the following is considered a portal of exit in a host (i.e. human)?

Mouth, skin, nose

What is the name of the entity that has the goal of protecting workers from harm while at work?

OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

How is varicella (chicken pox) spread?

Airborne Transmission

If you see a resident holding his throat, what is your FIRST step?

Ask if the resident is choking

You observe a patient hemorrhaging what is your first intervention?

Apply direct pressure to the wound

You see a cup of medications sitting on the table in the dining room. What should you do first?

Remove the medications from the table

A resident that you are caring for states, “I cannot breathe.” What is your FIRST intervention?

Call for help

What is your FIRST step when you find a resident not breathing and without a pulse?

Call for help

You have a resident that ate chili for lunch and is complaining of chest pain after lunch. What is your first step?

Activate the emergency response system

A code blue is called for a resident who is a full code. What is your responsibility as the nurse aide?

Call for additional assistance

You are caring for a diabetic resident who you find sweating and only able to mumble words. What is your initial step?

Check the resident's blood sugar level

You are a new nurse aide in a facility. You are caring for a resident who asks for 2 packages of salt that did not come on her tray. What is your initial intervention?

Notify the charge nurse or supervisor

You are caring for a resident who reports that she is having stools with bright red blood. What should you do first?

Notify the charge nurse or supervisor

You suspect that a resident is having a seizure. What is your FIRST step?

Clear the area around the resident to prevent injury

After rescuing the residents, what is the next step that you take during a fire?

Evacuate the building

What can sensory changes in the older adult cause?

Decreased perception of temperature

Your resident is lying down napping when she suddenly begins to vomit. What is your INITIAL intervention?

Roll the resident onto their side

You have a resident who is on oxygen that you find smoking in his restroom. What should you do immediately?

Remove the resident's oxygen

You are giving a resident a shower when you hear the fire alarm sound. What is your initial step?

Turn off the water and evacuate the resident immediately.

Your resident keeps her room very cluttered. For her safety and the safety of the staff what should you do?

Discuss the issue with the charge nurse or supervisor

You are caring for a resident when you splash urine into your eye. What should you do immediately?

Rinse your eye with water for at least 20 minutes

You are taking out the trash when you are stuck by a needle. What is your initial step?

Report the incident to the charge nurse or supervisor

What should you do if you suspect a resident has eloped?

Notify the charge nurse or supervisor immediately