CNA State Exam Practice Test 2026–2027
Section 1: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene (Questions 1–25)
1. When should a nurse aide perform hand hygiene?
• A) Before touching a resident
• B) After removing gloves
• C) Before and after resident contact
• D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of
infection. The CDC recommends performing hand hygiene before and after touching a
resident, after removing gloves, and before performing any clean or aseptic procedure.
2. Which type of transmission-based precaution requires the use of an N95
respirator?
• A) Contact precautions
• B) Droplet precautions
• C) Airborne precautions
• D) Standard precautions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airborne precautions are used for diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and
chickenpox that are transmitted through small airborne particles. An N95 respirator or
higher-level respiratory protection is required for these precautions.
3. How long should a nurse aide rub their hands together during handwashing
with soap and water?
, • A) At least 5 seconds
• B) At least 10 seconds
• C) At least 20 seconds
• D) At least 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to
effectively remove pathogens. Singing "Happy Birthday" twice is a helpful timer.
4. Which of the following is an example of a bloodborne pathogen exposure
incident?
• A) Touching a resident's skin
• B) Being splashed with urine
• C) Getting a needle stick injury
• D) Breathing in a resident's cough
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are transmitted
through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Needle stick injuries
are a common and serious exposure route.
5. A resident with a diagnosis of C. diff (Clostridioides difficile) requires which type
of precaution?
• A) Standard precautions only
• B) Airborne precautions
• C) Droplet precautions
• D) Contact precautions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff is transmitted through the fecal-oral route and spores can survive on
surfaces for long periods. Contact precautions, including gloves and a gown, are
,required, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective—handwashing with soap and
water is necessary.
6. The single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection is:
• A) Wearing gloves
• B) Proper hand hygiene
• C) Wearing a mask
• D) Isolating residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While all the other options are important, proper hand hygiene remains the
single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
7. When removing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which item should be
removed first?
• A) Gown
• B) Gloves
• C) Mask
• D) Eyewear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE and should be
removed first to prevent contaminating other PPE and clothing during removal.
8. A nurse aide is caring for a resident with a urinary tract infection. What is the
most important action to prevent the spread of infection?
• A) Wearing a mask
• B) Wearing gloves when handling urine
• C) Closing the door to the room
• D) Restricting visitors
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Urine can contain infectious organisms. Gloves provide a barrier against
contact with body fluids and should be worn whenever there is potential exposure to
blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes.
9. The nurse aide should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead of soap and
water when:
• A) Hands are visibly dirty
• B) After using the restroom
• C) Before eating
• D) Hands are not visibly soiled
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective when hands are not visibly soiled. If
hands are visibly dirty, soap and water must be used.
10. A resident has a wound that is draining. What type of PPE is required when
changing the dressing?
• A) Gloves only
• B) Gloves and gown
• C) Gloves, gown, and mask
• D) Gloves, gown, mask, and eyewear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves and a gown are required when there is a risk of contact with body
fluids or wound drainage. A mask and eyewear are typically only needed if there is a risk
of splashing.
(Questions 11–25 continue with similar infection control topics, covering standard
precautions, transmission-based precautions, PPE use, sterilization vs. disinfection, and
proper waste disposal.)
Section 1: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene (Questions 1–25)
1. When should a nurse aide perform hand hygiene?
• A) Before touching a resident
• B) After removing gloves
• C) Before and after resident contact
• D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of
infection. The CDC recommends performing hand hygiene before and after touching a
resident, after removing gloves, and before performing any clean or aseptic procedure.
2. Which type of transmission-based precaution requires the use of an N95
respirator?
• A) Contact precautions
• B) Droplet precautions
• C) Airborne precautions
• D) Standard precautions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airborne precautions are used for diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and
chickenpox that are transmitted through small airborne particles. An N95 respirator or
higher-level respiratory protection is required for these precautions.
3. How long should a nurse aide rub their hands together during handwashing
with soap and water?
, • A) At least 5 seconds
• B) At least 10 seconds
• C) At least 20 seconds
• D) At least 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds to
effectively remove pathogens. Singing "Happy Birthday" twice is a helpful timer.
4. Which of the following is an example of a bloodborne pathogen exposure
incident?
• A) Touching a resident's skin
• B) Being splashed with urine
• C) Getting a needle stick injury
• D) Breathing in a resident's cough
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bloodborne pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are transmitted
through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Needle stick injuries
are a common and serious exposure route.
5. A resident with a diagnosis of C. diff (Clostridioides difficile) requires which type
of precaution?
• A) Standard precautions only
• B) Airborne precautions
• C) Droplet precautions
• D) Contact precautions
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: C. diff is transmitted through the fecal-oral route and spores can survive on
surfaces for long periods. Contact precautions, including gloves and a gown, are
,required, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective—handwashing with soap and
water is necessary.
6. The single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection is:
• A) Wearing gloves
• B) Proper hand hygiene
• C) Wearing a mask
• D) Isolating residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While all the other options are important, proper hand hygiene remains the
single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
7. When removing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), which item should be
removed first?
• A) Gown
• B) Gloves
• C) Mask
• D) Eyewear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of PPE and should be
removed first to prevent contaminating other PPE and clothing during removal.
8. A nurse aide is caring for a resident with a urinary tract infection. What is the
most important action to prevent the spread of infection?
• A) Wearing a mask
• B) Wearing gloves when handling urine
• C) Closing the door to the room
• D) Restricting visitors
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Urine can contain infectious organisms. Gloves provide a barrier against
contact with body fluids and should be worn whenever there is potential exposure to
blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes.
9. The nurse aide should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead of soap and
water when:
• A) Hands are visibly dirty
• B) After using the restroom
• C) Before eating
• D) Hands are not visibly soiled
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective when hands are not visibly soiled. If
hands are visibly dirty, soap and water must be used.
10. A resident has a wound that is draining. What type of PPE is required when
changing the dressing?
• A) Gloves only
• B) Gloves and gown
• C) Gloves, gown, and mask
• D) Gloves, gown, mask, and eyewear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gloves and a gown are required when there is a risk of contact with body
fluids or wound drainage. A mask and eyewear are typically only needed if there is a risk
of splashing.
(Questions 11–25 continue with similar infection control topics, covering standard
precautions, transmission-based precautions, PPE use, sterilization vs. disinfection, and
proper waste disposal.)
