Free CNA Practice Test: 25 Essential Questions

This 25-question practice test is designed to help you prepare for the CNA certification exam by reviewing essential topics, such as basic nursing skill, patient care, safety procedures, communication skills, and infection control.

Each question reflects the types of scenarios and the knowledge areas you will encounter on the actual Certified Nursing Assistant exam, giving you a valuable opportunity to asses your understanding and identify areas of improvement. All questions have been reviewed by an experienced registered nurse.

Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM Avatar
Questions reviewed by
Maegan Wagner, BSN, RN, CCM

Resident Care and Basic Nursing Skills

1. Question

A patient with a weak right arm needs assistance dressing. What’s the correct way to help them put on a shirt?

  • A. Put the shirt on the left arm first, then the right arm.
  • B. Put the shirt on the right arm first, then the left arm.
  • C. Put both arms in at the same time.
  • D. It doesn’t matter which arm goes in first.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. The principle is to dress the weaker side first. This makes the task easier and less painful for the resident and helps to prevent injury.

2. Question

What is the most important safety precaution when a CNA is feeding a resident?

  • A. Elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 degrees.
  • B. Placing a napkin on the resident’s lap.
  • C. Checking the resident’s temperature before and after the meal.
  • D. Making sure the resident’s feet are flat on the floor.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. Elevating the head of the bed prevents the resident from choking and reduces the risk of aspiration, which is when food or liquid enters the lungs.

3. Question

When measuring a resident’s respirations, what’s the best practice to ensure an accurate count?

  • A. Tell the resident you are counting their breaths.
  • B. Use a timer and count for exactly 60 seconds.
  • C. Count the breaths while holding their wrist.
  • D. Count the breaths while they are sleeping.
Show Rationale

Correct:

C. The most accurate method is to count respirations immediately after taking the pulse, while still holding the resident’s wrist. This prevents them from becoming self-conscious and altering their breathing pattern.

4. Question

A resident who is lying on their side with a pillow between their knees is in what position?

  • A. Supine position
  • B. Prone position
  • C. Lateral position
  • D. Fowler’s position
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Correct:

C. The lateral position is when a person is lying on their side. A pillow between the knees helps to align the spine and prevent pressure on the knees and ankles.

5. Question

How often should a bed-bound resident be repositioned to prevent pressure ulcers?

  • A. Every 4 hours.
  • B. Every 8 hours.
  • C. Every 12 hours.
  • D. At least every 2 hours.
Show Rationale

Correct:

D. Repositioning a resident every two hours is standard protocol to relieve pressure on bony prominences and improve blood circulation, which helps to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers.

6. Question

A CNA is assisting a resident with a transfer from the bed to a wheelchair. Where should the wheelchair be placed?

  • A. On the resident’s weaker side.
  • B. On the resident’s stronger side.
  • C. At the foot of the bed.
  • D. On the opposite side of the bed.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Placing the wheelchair on the resident’s stronger side allows them to use their strength to assist with the transfer, making it safer and more efficient.

7. Question

What is the best way to prevent aspiration when performing oral care on an unconscious resident?

  • A. Position the resident on their back with their head tilted slightly forward.
  • B. Use a large amount of water to rinse their mouth thoroughly.
  • C. Position the resident on their side with their head turned to the side.
  • D. Use a hard toothbrush to clean their teeth and gums.
Show Rationale

Correct:

C. Positioning the resident on their side with their head turned allows any fluid to drain out of the mouth, preventing it from being accidentally inhaled into the lungs (aspirated).

Safety and Infection Control

8. Question

What is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?

  • A. Proper hand hygiene.
  • B. Wearing a mask.
  • C. Using sterile gloves.
  • D. Isolating the patient.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and other health organizations identify proper handwashing as the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs and infections.

9. Question

A CNA is caring for a resident who has C. difficile. What is the most appropriate hand hygiene method to use?

  • A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • B. Handwashing with soap and water.
  • C. Wearing gloves at all times.
  • D. Wiping hands with a wet cloth.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against the spores of C. difficile. Proper handwashing with soap and water is essential to physically remove the spores from the hands.

10. Question

When a CNA is preparing to enter a room that requires contact precautions, what is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?

  • A. Gloves, gown, mask.
  • B. Mask, gown, gloves.
  • C. Gown, gloves, mask.
  • D. Gown, mask, gloves.
Show Rationale

Correct:

D. The standard order for donning PPE is to put on the gown first to protect clothing, then the mask, and finally the gloves.

11. Question

A resident is a known fall risk. What action should the CNA take to ensure their safety?

  • A. Apply soft restraints to the resident.
  • B. Keep the call light within the resident’s reach.
  • C. Keep the lights in the room on at all times.
  • D. Remove the resident’s shoes and socks.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Keeping the call light within reach empowers the resident to ask for help when needed, reducing the likelihood that they will attempt to get up on their own and fall.

12. Question

When a fire alarm sounds, what is the CNA’s first priority?

  • A. Call 911.
  • B. Extinguish the fire.
  • C. Gather all important documents.
  • D. Get the residents to a safe location.
Show Rationale

Correct:

D. The first and most critical priority in a fire is to ensure the safety of residents. The acronym RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) outlines this order of operations, with Rescue being the first step.

Communication and Documentation

13. Question

A visitor asks a CNA for information about the resident’s medical condition. What is the most appropriate response?

  • A. Provide them with the information as they are likely family.
  • B. Tell them you can’t share that information without the resident’s permission.
  • C. Tell them the resident’s condition is a secret.
  • D. Give them a copy of the resident’s medical chart.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Providing protected health information (PHI) without the resident’s permission is a violation of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). The CNA would need to verify the visitor’s identity and ensure they are an approved person to receive PHI.

14. Question

What is the best way to communicate with a resident who has a hearing impairment?

  • A. Speak loudly and quickly.
  • B. Stand behind the resident so they can hear better.
  • C. Face the resident and speak slowly and clearly.
  • D. Use hand gestures without speaking.
Show Rationale

Correct:

C. Facing the resident and speaking slowly and clearly allows them to read your lips and see your facial expressions, which helps with comprehension.

15. Question

When a CNA is charting, what practice is considered legal and ethical?

  • A. Documenting care that was provided immediately after it’s done.
  • B. Writing in pencil so you can erase mistakes.
  • C. Charting for a coworker who forgot to.
  • D. Using abbreviations you’ve created for quicker charting.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. Documenting immediately ensures the record is accurate and reflects the care that was actually provided. It also prevents forgetting to document or trying to remember when something was done.

16. Question

What does aphasia mean?

A. The inability to move a part of the body.
B. A condition that causes confusion.
C. The inability to speak or comprehend language.
D. A medical term for low blood pressure.

Show Rationale

Correct:

C. Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to communicate, and may include difficulty speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.

17. Question

A CNA overhears a coworker gossiping about a resident’s personal life. This is a violation of what?

  • A. Loyalty.
  • B. HIPAA.
  • C. Standard precautions.
  • D. The chain of command.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Sharing a resident’s personal or medical information is a direct violation of HIPAA, which protects the privacy of patient information.

Ethical and Legal Practice

18. Question

What is a CNA’s primary responsibility regarding residents’ rights?

  • A. To protect and promote the resident’s rights.
  • B. To decide what is best for the resident.
  • C. To limit the resident’s choices for their own good.
  • D. To report all resident complaints to the administrator only.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. CNAs are legally and ethically obligated to be advocates for their residents and to ensure their rights are respected at all times.

19. Question

A CNA intentionally withholds food and water from a resident as a form of punishment. This is an example of what?

  • A. Passive neglect.
  • B. Battery.
  • C. Physical abuse.
  • D. Active neglect.
Show Rationale

Correct:

D. Active neglect is the intentional failure to provide necessary care, which is considered abuse. Physical abuse involves physical harm, while passive neglect is a non-intentional failure. Withholding food is an intentional act.

20. Question

A CNA is asked to perform a task that is outside their scope of practice. What should they do?

  • A. Perform the task anyway to be helpful.
  • B. Ask a coworker to perform the task for them.
  • C. Refuse the task and report it to a supervisor.
  • D. Offer to do another task instead.
Show Rationale

Correct:

C. It is essential for a CNA to know and stay within their scope of practice. Performing a task they are not trained to do is illegal and could harm the resident. They must refuse and inform a supervisor.

21. Question

What is the purpose of a resident’s care plan?

  • A. To outline the specific needs and goals for the resident’s care.
  • B. To give the CNA a list of tasks for the day.
  • C. To provide a schedule for the resident’s family visits.
  • D. To list the resident’s favorite foods.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. The care plan is a comprehensive document that guides the entire care team on the resident’s specific needs, health goals, and the interventions required to meet them.

22. Question

An ombudsman’s role is to:

  • A. Provide medical care to residents.
  • B. Administer medications.
  • C. Advocate for the rights of residents.
  • D. Supervise CNAs.
Show Rationale

Correct:

C. An ombudsman is a third-party advocate who works to protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities and address any complaints or concerns.

Role of the CNA and Restorative Care

23. Question

The term “ADLs” stands for what?

  • A. Active Daily Living.
  • B. Activities of Daily Living.
  • C. Assisted Daily Living.
  • D. Approved Daily Living.
Show Rationale

Correct:

B. Activities of Daily Living refer to basic self-care tasks that people do every day, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and toileting. They are a primary focus of CNA care.

24. Question

A CNA notices a small red area on a resident’s lower back. What should the CNA do first?

  • A. Immediately rub the area to improve circulation.
  • B. Apply a bandage to the area.
  • C. Tell the resident to avoid lying on their back.
  • D. Report the observation to the nurse immediately.
Show Rationale

Correct:

D. The red area could be the first sign of a pressure ulcer. The CNA must report it to the nurse immediately so a proper assessment and plan can be made. Rubbing the area can cause further damage.

25. Question

What is the primary goal of restorative care?

  • A. To help the resident regain their highest level of functioning.
  • B. To make the resident completely dependent on the staff.
  • C. To keep the resident in their room all day.
  • D. To prevent the resident from exercising.
Show Rationale

Correct:

A. Restorative care focuses on helping residents regain independence and function after an illness, injury, or surgery. The goal is to return them to their previous level of functioning and independence.