CNA Chapter 7 Exam: Basic Nursing Skills –
Actual Questions with Revised Answers
(2026/2027 Edition) | 100% Pass Guarantee
Section 1: Vital Signs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure)
Guarantee Pass Tip: Memorize the normal ranges by body site—oral (98.6°F average),
rectal (+1°F higher), axillary (-1°F lower). Blood pressure normal is <120/80. VERIFY
then NOTIFY for abnormal readings.
Q1: A nursing assistant needs to measure a resident's oral temperature. The resident
just finished drinking a cup of hot coffee. What should the NA do NEXT?
A. Take the temperature orally as planned since coffee doesn't affect readings
B. Take the temperature rectally instead
C. Wait 10-15 minutes before taking the oral temperature
D. Take the temperature in the axillary area
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: Hot or cold liquids can temporarily alter oral temperature readings. The
NA should wait 10-15 minutes to allow the mouth to return to normal
temperature before taking an oral reading.
, ● A is incorrect: Hot coffee significantly elevates oral temperature readings, leading
to false fever indications and unnecessary interventions.
● B is incorrect: Rectal temperature is not indicated for routine monitoring and
requires specific orders. It's also invasive and should not be used simply to
bypass a waiting period.
● D is incorrect: While axillary temperature is an alternative site, it's less accurate
and still requires waiting if the patient is overheated from hot liquids. The best
practice is to wait and use the planned oral site.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Always assess for recent eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing
gum before taking an oral temperature. Wait 10-15 minutes for accurate readings.
Clinical Note: In long-term care, morning vitals are often taken before residents receive
breakfast to avoid this exact issue.
Q2: Which of the following is the normal temperature range for the oral method?
A. 96.6-98.6°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
C. 98.6-100.6°F
D. 95.6-97.6°F
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: The normal oral temperature range is 97.6-99.6°F (approximately
36.5-37.5°C). The average oral temperature is 98.6°F.
● A is incorrect: 96.6-98.6°F is the normal range for axillary (armpit) temperature,
which reads approximately 1°F lower than oral.
● C is incorrect: 98.6-100.6°F is the normal range for rectal temperature, which
reads approximately 1°F higher than oral.
, ● D is incorrect: 95.6-97.6°F is below normal oral range and would indicate
hypothermia.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Remember "ORAL is AVERAGE" – oral is the standard 98.6°F
average. RECTAL is +1 (higher), AXILLARY is -1 (lower).
Q3: A resident's blood pressure reading is 148/92 mmHg. What should the nursing
assistant do FIRST?
A. Record the reading in the chart as usual
B. Retake the blood pressure to verify the reading
C. Report the reading to the nurse immediately
D. Wait 30 minutes and take it again
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: Before reporting an abnormal reading, the NA should verify by retaking
the blood pressure to ensure it wasn't a measurement error (improper cuff size,
positioning, or technique).
● A is incorrect: Recording without verification could document an inaccurate
reading. If verified, it must be recorded, but verification comes first.
● C is incorrect: While 148/92 is elevated (Stage 1 hypertension) and should
eventually be reported, the NA should first verify the reading to avoid alarming
the nurse or resident with a false reading.
● D is incorrect: Waiting 30 minutes delays potential identification of a
hypertensive issue. The NA should verify immediately, then report.
Revised Answer Note [REVISED 2026/2027]: Current CNA guidelines emphasize
verification of abnormal findings before reporting to reduce false alarms and
, unnecessary interventions, while still ensuring timely communication of confirmed
abnormal results.
Guarantee Pass Tip: VERIFY then NOTIFY. Always double-check abnormal readings
before reporting.
Q4: Which of the following pulse rates requires immediate reporting to the nurse?
A. 72 beats per minute
B. 68 beats per minute
C. 58 beats per minute
D. 88 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: The normal adult pulse range is 60-100 beats per minute. A pulse of 58
bpm is bradycardia (below 60) and requires immediate nurse notification as it
may indicate cardiac dysfunction, medication side effects, or other serious
conditions.
● A is incorrect: 72 bpm is within normal range and requires no special reporting.
● B is incorrect: 68 bpm is within normal range.
● D is incorrect: 88 bpm is within normal range, though on the higher side of
normal.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Remember the "Rule of 60" – report anything below 60 or above
100 immediately.
Actual Questions with Revised Answers
(2026/2027 Edition) | 100% Pass Guarantee
Section 1: Vital Signs (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure)
Guarantee Pass Tip: Memorize the normal ranges by body site—oral (98.6°F average),
rectal (+1°F higher), axillary (-1°F lower). Blood pressure normal is <120/80. VERIFY
then NOTIFY for abnormal readings.
Q1: A nursing assistant needs to measure a resident's oral temperature. The resident
just finished drinking a cup of hot coffee. What should the NA do NEXT?
A. Take the temperature orally as planned since coffee doesn't affect readings
B. Take the temperature rectally instead
C. Wait 10-15 minutes before taking the oral temperature
D. Take the temperature in the axillary area
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: Hot or cold liquids can temporarily alter oral temperature readings. The
NA should wait 10-15 minutes to allow the mouth to return to normal
temperature before taking an oral reading.
, ● A is incorrect: Hot coffee significantly elevates oral temperature readings, leading
to false fever indications and unnecessary interventions.
● B is incorrect: Rectal temperature is not indicated for routine monitoring and
requires specific orders. It's also invasive and should not be used simply to
bypass a waiting period.
● D is incorrect: While axillary temperature is an alternative site, it's less accurate
and still requires waiting if the patient is overheated from hot liquids. The best
practice is to wait and use the planned oral site.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Always assess for recent eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing
gum before taking an oral temperature. Wait 10-15 minutes for accurate readings.
Clinical Note: In long-term care, morning vitals are often taken before residents receive
breakfast to avoid this exact issue.
Q2: Which of the following is the normal temperature range for the oral method?
A. 96.6-98.6°F
B. 97.6-99.6°F
C. 98.6-100.6°F
D. 95.6-97.6°F
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: The normal oral temperature range is 97.6-99.6°F (approximately
36.5-37.5°C). The average oral temperature is 98.6°F.
● A is incorrect: 96.6-98.6°F is the normal range for axillary (armpit) temperature,
which reads approximately 1°F lower than oral.
● C is incorrect: 98.6-100.6°F is the normal range for rectal temperature, which
reads approximately 1°F higher than oral.
, ● D is incorrect: 95.6-97.6°F is below normal oral range and would indicate
hypothermia.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Remember "ORAL is AVERAGE" – oral is the standard 98.6°F
average. RECTAL is +1 (higher), AXILLARY is -1 (lower).
Q3: A resident's blood pressure reading is 148/92 mmHg. What should the nursing
assistant do FIRST?
A. Record the reading in the chart as usual
B. Retake the blood pressure to verify the reading
C. Report the reading to the nurse immediately
D. Wait 30 minutes and take it again
Correct Answer: B [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: Before reporting an abnormal reading, the NA should verify by retaking
the blood pressure to ensure it wasn't a measurement error (improper cuff size,
positioning, or technique).
● A is incorrect: Recording without verification could document an inaccurate
reading. If verified, it must be recorded, but verification comes first.
● C is incorrect: While 148/92 is elevated (Stage 1 hypertension) and should
eventually be reported, the NA should first verify the reading to avoid alarming
the nurse or resident with a false reading.
● D is incorrect: Waiting 30 minutes delays potential identification of a
hypertensive issue. The NA should verify immediately, then report.
Revised Answer Note [REVISED 2026/2027]: Current CNA guidelines emphasize
verification of abnormal findings before reporting to reduce false alarms and
, unnecessary interventions, while still ensuring timely communication of confirmed
abnormal results.
Guarantee Pass Tip: VERIFY then NOTIFY. Always double-check abnormal readings
before reporting.
Q4: Which of the following pulse rates requires immediate reporting to the nurse?
A. 72 beats per minute
B. 68 beats per minute
C. 58 beats per minute
D. 88 beats per minute
Correct Answer: C [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Correct: The normal adult pulse range is 60-100 beats per minute. A pulse of 58
bpm is bradycardia (below 60) and requires immediate nurse notification as it
may indicate cardiac dysfunction, medication side effects, or other serious
conditions.
● A is incorrect: 72 bpm is within normal range and requires no special reporting.
● B is incorrect: 68 bpm is within normal range.
● D is incorrect: 88 bpm is within normal range, though on the higher side of
normal.
Guarantee Pass Tip: Remember the "Rule of 60" – report anything below 60 or above
100 immediately.
