CNA 2026 Exam Questions - Certified Nursing
Assistant Test Preparation (70 Essential
Questions, Answers, and Explanations)
Question one.
A CNA is assisting a resident with moderate Alzheimer's disease to dress. The resident becomes
agitated and starts pushing the CNA's hands away. What is the most appropriate initial action for
the CNA to take?
A. Insist that the resident finish dressing quickly to stay on schedule.
B. Immediately stop the activity, remove the clothing, and try again later.
C. Gently hold the resident's hands to prevent them from pushing.
D. Ask the resident, "Would you prefer to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt today?"
Answer: B. Immediately stop the activity, remove the clothing, and try again later.
The concept tested here is how to handle agitation during ADL assistance for residents with
dementia. When a resident with Alzheimer's becomes agitated during care, the most important
action is to stop the activity immediately to prevent escalation and maintain their sense of safety
and dignity. As pushing hands away is a clear sign of distress. For example, if a resident resists
dressing, pausing the activity and trying again after a short break or at a different time can often
deescalate the situation as forcing the issue can increase agitation. A good takeaway tip is to
always prioritize the residents comfort and safety over completing a task when they show signs
of distress.
Question two,
a resident has a new order for NPO after midnight. What does this order mean regarding the
resident's care?
A. The resident should only be given clear liquids after midnight.
B. The resident is not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.
,C. The resident must stay in bed after midnight.
D. The resident can have ice chips but no other fluids after midnight.
Answer B. The resident is not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.
This question tests understanding of common medical abbreviations, specifically NPO. The
keyword NPO stands for nil per OS or nothing by mouth meaning the resident cannot have any
food or liquids including water after the specified time. This order is critical for safety especially
before surgeries or certain medical procedures to prevent aspiration food or liquid entering the
lungs. For instance, if a resident is NPO for surgery, offering even a small sip of water could lead
to complications. Always remember that NPO means absolutely no food or drink to ensure the
resident's safety.
Question three.
A CNA finds a resident lying on the floor next to their bed. The resident is conscious but appears
disoriented. What should the CNA do first?
A. Help the resident back into bed to prevent further injury.
B. Call for immediate nursing assistance and do not move the resident.
C. Check the resident for any obvious injuries like cuts or bruises.
D. Document the fall incident thoroughly in the resident's chart.
Answer B. Call for immediate nursing assistance and do not move the resident.
The core concept here is the immediate response to a resident fall, prioritizing safety and proper
assessment. The key words lying on the floor and disoriented indicate a potential injury,
especially to the head or spine, which makes moving the resident dangerous. The most critical
first step is to call for help from a licensed nurse who can assess the resident for injuries before
any movement, ensuring no further harm is done. For example, trying to move someone who has
potentially fractured a hip could cause more damage. Always remember when you find a resident
on the floor, protect their spine, and call for help before anything else?
Question four,
,When assisting a resident with dysphasia, difficulty swallowing during meal time, which action
is most important for the CNA to take?
A. Encourage the resident to talk frequently during the meal.
B. Offer thin liquids to help wash down solid food.
C. Ensure the resident is in an upright position, 90°, during and after the meal.
D. Provide large, easy to manage bites of food quickly.
Answer C. Ensure the resident is in an upright position, 90°, during and after the meal.
This question assesses knowledge of safe feeding practices for residents with dysphasia, focusing
on preventing aspiration. The key phrase dysphasia, difficulty swallowing, immediately signals a
risk of choking or aspiration if food or liquid enters the airway. Keeping the resident in an
upright 90° position during and for a period after meals helps gravity assist with swallowing and
prevents food from refluxing back up into the airway. For example, if a resident with dysphasia
eats while reclined, the risk of food going down the wrong pipe significantly increases. Always
remember that positioning is crucial for preventing aspiration in residents with swallowing
difficulties.
Question five.
A CNA is preparing to transfer a resident from the bed to a wheelchair. The resident is
nonweightbearing on their left leg. What is the safest method for this transfer?
A. A stand pivot transfer using a gate belt.
B. A twoperson assist using a gate belt.
C. A mechanical lift hoyer lift.
D. Encouraging the resident to slide to the wheelchair.
Answer. C. A mechanical lift. Hoyer lift.
This question tests the understanding of safe transfer techniques particularly for residents with
specific mobility limitations. The critical clue is non-weightbearing on their left leg which means
the resident cannot put any weight on that leg making a stand and pivot or twoerson assist where
they bear weight unsafe and potentially injurious. A mechanical lift, often called a Hoyer lift, is
designed for residents who cannot bear weight or have significant weakness, ensuring both
, resident and CNA safety during the transfer. For instance, attempting a manual transfer with a
non-weightbearing resident could easily lead to a fall or injury for both parties. Always choose
the safest device based on the resident's weightbearing status and mobility level.
Question six.
A resident reports experiencing new sharp pain in their lower back after moving from their bed
to a chair. What is the CNA's immediate priority?
A. Document the pain in the resident's chart.
B. Offer the resident a warm pack for their back.
C. Notify the nurse immediately about the new pain.
D. Encourage the resident to ambulate to see if the pain lessens.
Answer C. Notify the nurse immediately about the new pain.
The concept tested is the CNA's role in pain management and reporting changes in a resident's
condition. The keywords new sharp pain are critical, indicating an acute change that requires
immediate professional assessment. CNAs observe and report, but it is the nurse's responsibility
to assess new symptoms, determine the cause, and implement interventions like medication or
further assessment. For example, administering a warm pack without a nurse's order or
encouraging ambulation could worsen an undiagnosed injury. Always remember that new or
severe pain requires immediate notification of the nurse as it signals a potentially significant
change in the resident's condition.
Question seven.
When providing paranal care for an uncircumcised male resident, what specific step is essential?
A. Use a circular motion starting from the anus and moving forward.
B. Retract the foreskin gently clean and then return it to its natural position.
C. Apply a generous amount of lotion to the glands after cleaning.
D. Cleanse only the shaft of the penis avoiding the tip.
Answer B. Retract the foreskin gently, clean, and then return it to its natural position.
Assistant Test Preparation (70 Essential
Questions, Answers, and Explanations)
Question one.
A CNA is assisting a resident with moderate Alzheimer's disease to dress. The resident becomes
agitated and starts pushing the CNA's hands away. What is the most appropriate initial action for
the CNA to take?
A. Insist that the resident finish dressing quickly to stay on schedule.
B. Immediately stop the activity, remove the clothing, and try again later.
C. Gently hold the resident's hands to prevent them from pushing.
D. Ask the resident, "Would you prefer to wear the blue shirt or the green shirt today?"
Answer: B. Immediately stop the activity, remove the clothing, and try again later.
The concept tested here is how to handle agitation during ADL assistance for residents with
dementia. When a resident with Alzheimer's becomes agitated during care, the most important
action is to stop the activity immediately to prevent escalation and maintain their sense of safety
and dignity. As pushing hands away is a clear sign of distress. For example, if a resident resists
dressing, pausing the activity and trying again after a short break or at a different time can often
deescalate the situation as forcing the issue can increase agitation. A good takeaway tip is to
always prioritize the residents comfort and safety over completing a task when they show signs
of distress.
Question two,
a resident has a new order for NPO after midnight. What does this order mean regarding the
resident's care?
A. The resident should only be given clear liquids after midnight.
B. The resident is not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.
,C. The resident must stay in bed after midnight.
D. The resident can have ice chips but no other fluids after midnight.
Answer B. The resident is not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight.
This question tests understanding of common medical abbreviations, specifically NPO. The
keyword NPO stands for nil per OS or nothing by mouth meaning the resident cannot have any
food or liquids including water after the specified time. This order is critical for safety especially
before surgeries or certain medical procedures to prevent aspiration food or liquid entering the
lungs. For instance, if a resident is NPO for surgery, offering even a small sip of water could lead
to complications. Always remember that NPO means absolutely no food or drink to ensure the
resident's safety.
Question three.
A CNA finds a resident lying on the floor next to their bed. The resident is conscious but appears
disoriented. What should the CNA do first?
A. Help the resident back into bed to prevent further injury.
B. Call for immediate nursing assistance and do not move the resident.
C. Check the resident for any obvious injuries like cuts or bruises.
D. Document the fall incident thoroughly in the resident's chart.
Answer B. Call for immediate nursing assistance and do not move the resident.
The core concept here is the immediate response to a resident fall, prioritizing safety and proper
assessment. The key words lying on the floor and disoriented indicate a potential injury,
especially to the head or spine, which makes moving the resident dangerous. The most critical
first step is to call for help from a licensed nurse who can assess the resident for injuries before
any movement, ensuring no further harm is done. For example, trying to move someone who has
potentially fractured a hip could cause more damage. Always remember when you find a resident
on the floor, protect their spine, and call for help before anything else?
Question four,
,When assisting a resident with dysphasia, difficulty swallowing during meal time, which action
is most important for the CNA to take?
A. Encourage the resident to talk frequently during the meal.
B. Offer thin liquids to help wash down solid food.
C. Ensure the resident is in an upright position, 90°, during and after the meal.
D. Provide large, easy to manage bites of food quickly.
Answer C. Ensure the resident is in an upright position, 90°, during and after the meal.
This question assesses knowledge of safe feeding practices for residents with dysphasia, focusing
on preventing aspiration. The key phrase dysphasia, difficulty swallowing, immediately signals a
risk of choking or aspiration if food or liquid enters the airway. Keeping the resident in an
upright 90° position during and for a period after meals helps gravity assist with swallowing and
prevents food from refluxing back up into the airway. For example, if a resident with dysphasia
eats while reclined, the risk of food going down the wrong pipe significantly increases. Always
remember that positioning is crucial for preventing aspiration in residents with swallowing
difficulties.
Question five.
A CNA is preparing to transfer a resident from the bed to a wheelchair. The resident is
nonweightbearing on their left leg. What is the safest method for this transfer?
A. A stand pivot transfer using a gate belt.
B. A twoperson assist using a gate belt.
C. A mechanical lift hoyer lift.
D. Encouraging the resident to slide to the wheelchair.
Answer. C. A mechanical lift. Hoyer lift.
This question tests the understanding of safe transfer techniques particularly for residents with
specific mobility limitations. The critical clue is non-weightbearing on their left leg which means
the resident cannot put any weight on that leg making a stand and pivot or twoerson assist where
they bear weight unsafe and potentially injurious. A mechanical lift, often called a Hoyer lift, is
designed for residents who cannot bear weight or have significant weakness, ensuring both
, resident and CNA safety during the transfer. For instance, attempting a manual transfer with a
non-weightbearing resident could easily lead to a fall or injury for both parties. Always choose
the safest device based on the resident's weightbearing status and mobility level.
Question six.
A resident reports experiencing new sharp pain in their lower back after moving from their bed
to a chair. What is the CNA's immediate priority?
A. Document the pain in the resident's chart.
B. Offer the resident a warm pack for their back.
C. Notify the nurse immediately about the new pain.
D. Encourage the resident to ambulate to see if the pain lessens.
Answer C. Notify the nurse immediately about the new pain.
The concept tested is the CNA's role in pain management and reporting changes in a resident's
condition. The keywords new sharp pain are critical, indicating an acute change that requires
immediate professional assessment. CNAs observe and report, but it is the nurse's responsibility
to assess new symptoms, determine the cause, and implement interventions like medication or
further assessment. For example, administering a warm pack without a nurse's order or
encouraging ambulation could worsen an undiagnosed injury. Always remember that new or
severe pain requires immediate notification of the nurse as it signals a potentially significant
change in the resident's condition.
Question seven.
When providing paranal care for an uncircumcised male resident, what specific step is essential?
A. Use a circular motion starting from the anus and moving forward.
B. Retract the foreskin gently clean and then return it to its natural position.
C. Apply a generous amount of lotion to the glands after cleaning.
D. Cleanse only the shaft of the penis avoiding the tip.
Answer B. Retract the foreskin gently, clean, and then return it to its natural position.
