ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM QUESTIONS 2026/2027 – EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A resident who is on bed rest complains of a sudden onset of shortness of
breath and chest pain. What is the nursing assistant's priority action?
A. Raise the head of the bed and offer the resident a drink of water.
B. Check the resident's pulse and blood pressure, then report the findings to the
nurse.
C. Lower the head of the bed, elevate the resident's feet, and apply oxygen.
D. Report the resident's complaints to the charge nurse immediately and then
take vital signs.
Correct Answer: B. Check the resident's pulse and blood pressure, then report the
findings to the nurse.
Rationale: A sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain, particularly in a
bedridden resident, are critical signs that may indicate a pulmonary embolism or
other serious cardiac/pulmonary event. The CNA's role is to assess the situation
by taking vital signs, which provides the nurse with crucial data. While reporting is
essential, gathering objective data first is the appropriate initial step to inform the
report. Offering water could be dangerous for a resident with breathing
difficulties, and applying oxygen is outside the CNA's scope of practice.*
,2. When making an occupied bed, which technique is most important for
ensuring the resident's safety and comfort?
A. Tucking the drawsheet tightly under the mattress to prevent wrinkles.
B. Rolling the resident from side to side by pulling on the drawsheet.
C. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not facing.
D. Placing the clean linens on the bed before removing the soiled ones.
Correct Answer: C. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not facing.
Rationale: The primary safety principle during an occupied bed change is fall
prevention. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not turned toward
provides a barrier to prevent them from rolling off the bed. While a tight
drawsheet reduces friction, rolling a resident by pulling on a drawsheet is
incorrect and could cause injury. Placing clean linens on top of soiled ones is
unsanitary and against standard practice.*
3. A nursing assistant is providing mouth care to an unconscious resident.
Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
A. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste.
B. Positioning the resident in a side-lying position with the head turned to the
side.
C. Placing a small amount of water in the resident's mouth to moisten the oral
cavity.
D. Using a sponge-tipped applicator dipped in mouthwash to clean the teeth.
,Correct Answer: B. Positioning the resident in a side-lying position with the head
turned to the side.
Rationale: For an unconscious resident, the primary risk during oral care is
aspiration of fluids. Placing the resident in a side-lying position allows fluids to
drain from the mouth, preventing them from entering the airway. A soft
toothbrush is acceptable, but toothpaste can be difficult to clear from the airway
and is often avoided. Water should never be instilled into the mouth of an
unconscious resident due to the high risk of aspiration. Sponge-tipped
applicators are used for cleaning the oral mucosa, not the teeth.*
4. When assisting a resident with a weak left side to transfer from a bed to a
wheelchair, where should the nursing assistant stand?
A. On the resident's left side.
B. Directly in front of the resident.
C. On the resident's right side.
D. Behind the wheelchair.
Correct Answer: A. On the resident's left side.
Rationale: The nursing assistant should stand on the resident's weaker side to
provide support, stabilize the resident's body, and assist with weight-bearing. By
standing on the left (weak) side, the CNA can help guide the resident's
movement, prevent the leg from buckling, and protect the resident from falling.
Standing on the stronger side leaves the weak side unsupported and at greater
risk for injury.*
, 5. Which of the following is the most important factor in preventing the spread
of infection in a healthcare facility?
A. Wearing gloves during all resident contact.
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after every resident contact.
C. Wearing a gown and mask when entering a resident's room.
D. Disinfecting all equipment after use.
Correct Answer: B. Proper hand hygiene before and after every resident contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective and critical measure to
prevent the transmission of pathogens. Gloves are important but are not a
substitute for hand hygiene and must be changed between tasks. Gowns and
masks are used for specific transmission-based precautions. Disinfecting
equipment is important, but hand hygiene is the primary intervention to break
the chain of infection.*
6. A resident has an indwelling urinary catheter. When providing perineal care,
which of the following is a standard practice to reduce the risk of infection?
A. Clean the meatus by wiping in a circular motion starting from the outside and
moving inward.
B. Disconnect the catheter from the drainage tubing to clean the area more
thoroughly.
C. Clean the catheter tubing by moving the cloth from the insertion site towards
the rectum.
D. Position the drainage bag on the bed near the resident's thigh to allow for
easier ambulation.
AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP | STUDY GUIDE |
PRACTICE TEST
1. A resident who is on bed rest complains of a sudden onset of shortness of
breath and chest pain. What is the nursing assistant's priority action?
A. Raise the head of the bed and offer the resident a drink of water.
B. Check the resident's pulse and blood pressure, then report the findings to the
nurse.
C. Lower the head of the bed, elevate the resident's feet, and apply oxygen.
D. Report the resident's complaints to the charge nurse immediately and then
take vital signs.
Correct Answer: B. Check the resident's pulse and blood pressure, then report the
findings to the nurse.
Rationale: A sudden onset of shortness of breath and chest pain, particularly in a
bedridden resident, are critical signs that may indicate a pulmonary embolism or
other serious cardiac/pulmonary event. The CNA's role is to assess the situation
by taking vital signs, which provides the nurse with crucial data. While reporting is
essential, gathering objective data first is the appropriate initial step to inform the
report. Offering water could be dangerous for a resident with breathing
difficulties, and applying oxygen is outside the CNA's scope of practice.*
,2. When making an occupied bed, which technique is most important for
ensuring the resident's safety and comfort?
A. Tucking the drawsheet tightly under the mattress to prevent wrinkles.
B. Rolling the resident from side to side by pulling on the drawsheet.
C. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not facing.
D. Placing the clean linens on the bed before removing the soiled ones.
Correct Answer: C. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not facing.
Rationale: The primary safety principle during an occupied bed change is fall
prevention. Keeping the side rail up on the side the resident is not turned toward
provides a barrier to prevent them from rolling off the bed. While a tight
drawsheet reduces friction, rolling a resident by pulling on a drawsheet is
incorrect and could cause injury. Placing clean linens on top of soiled ones is
unsanitary and against standard practice.*
3. A nursing assistant is providing mouth care to an unconscious resident.
Which of the following actions is most appropriate?
A. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste.
B. Positioning the resident in a side-lying position with the head turned to the
side.
C. Placing a small amount of water in the resident's mouth to moisten the oral
cavity.
D. Using a sponge-tipped applicator dipped in mouthwash to clean the teeth.
,Correct Answer: B. Positioning the resident in a side-lying position with the head
turned to the side.
Rationale: For an unconscious resident, the primary risk during oral care is
aspiration of fluids. Placing the resident in a side-lying position allows fluids to
drain from the mouth, preventing them from entering the airway. A soft
toothbrush is acceptable, but toothpaste can be difficult to clear from the airway
and is often avoided. Water should never be instilled into the mouth of an
unconscious resident due to the high risk of aspiration. Sponge-tipped
applicators are used for cleaning the oral mucosa, not the teeth.*
4. When assisting a resident with a weak left side to transfer from a bed to a
wheelchair, where should the nursing assistant stand?
A. On the resident's left side.
B. Directly in front of the resident.
C. On the resident's right side.
D. Behind the wheelchair.
Correct Answer: A. On the resident's left side.
Rationale: The nursing assistant should stand on the resident's weaker side to
provide support, stabilize the resident's body, and assist with weight-bearing. By
standing on the left (weak) side, the CNA can help guide the resident's
movement, prevent the leg from buckling, and protect the resident from falling.
Standing on the stronger side leaves the weak side unsupported and at greater
risk for injury.*
, 5. Which of the following is the most important factor in preventing the spread
of infection in a healthcare facility?
A. Wearing gloves during all resident contact.
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after every resident contact.
C. Wearing a gown and mask when entering a resident's room.
D. Disinfecting all equipment after use.
Correct Answer: B. Proper hand hygiene before and after every resident contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective and critical measure to
prevent the transmission of pathogens. Gloves are important but are not a
substitute for hand hygiene and must be changed between tasks. Gowns and
masks are used for specific transmission-based precautions. Disinfecting
equipment is important, but hand hygiene is the primary intervention to break
the chain of infection.*
6. A resident has an indwelling urinary catheter. When providing perineal care,
which of the following is a standard practice to reduce the risk of infection?
A. Clean the meatus by wiping in a circular motion starting from the outside and
moving inward.
B. Disconnect the catheter from the drainage tubing to clean the area more
thoroughly.
C. Clean the catheter tubing by moving the cloth from the insertion site towards
the rectum.
D. Position the drainage bag on the bed near the resident's thigh to allow for
easier ambulation.
