NEW YORK ACUTE CARE NURSE AIDE (ACNA) PRACTICE EXAM | STUDY GUIDE |
TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | 120 QUESTIONS & 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Role of the Nurse Aide & Scope of Practice
Infection Control & Standard Precautions
Safety, Emergency Procedures & Fire Safety
Basic Nursing Care & ADLs (Bathing, Dressing, Feeding)
Patient Mobility, Transfers & Positioning
Nutrition, Hydration & Elimination
Care of the Surgical & Specialized Patient
Respiratory, Cardiovascular & Neurological Care
Endocrine, Diabetes & Medication Considerations
Legal, Ethical Issues & Resident Rights
Care of the Dying, Post-Mortem Care & Grief
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for candidates
preparing for the New York Acute Care Nurse Aide (ACNA) certification, aligning with
the rigorous standards of Prometric and the New York State Department of Health
(NYSDOH). This study guide contains 120 advanced, scenario-based questions
covering critical thinking, code application, and professional judgment. Expect
questions on safe patient handling, infection control, recognizing acute changes, legal
obligations, and specialized care in hospital settings. This testbank reflects the latest
2026/2027 standards and emphasizes the high-level clinical decision-making required
for success on the certification exam and in practice .
Question 1
A nurse aide is caring for a post-operative patient who suddenly becomes tachypneic
and complains of chest pain. After calling for help, which of the following is the nurse
aide's priority action?
A. Take the patient's blood pressure.
B. Raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position.
C. Ask the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10.
D. Check the patient's oxygen saturation level.
, Correct Answer: B
Raising the head of the bed facilitates breathing and reduces the work of breathing,
which is critical in a potential respiratory or cardiac event. While checking vitals and
pain are important, positioning is the immediate, independent nursing action to
support respiration .
Question 2
A resident has a non-blanchable, reddened area on the sacrum. The nurse aide
observes a colleague vigorously massaging the area during a bed bath. What is the
most appropriate initial action?
A. Join the colleague and assist with the bath.
B. Document the finding in the patient's chart.
C. Stop the colleague, explain that massaging can cause deep tissue damage, and
report the observation to the charge nurse.
D. Ignore the situation to avoid conflict with the colleague.
Correct Answer: C
Massaging a reddened or non-blanchable area can cause further capillary damage
and necrosis. The aide must intervene to prevent harm to the resident, and the
incident must be reported as it indicates a lack of understanding of pressure injury
prevention .
Question 3
Under the New York Safe Patient Handling Act, what is the nurse aide's primary
responsibility when transferring a patient who is partially weight-bearing?
A. Use a mechanical lift or other assistive device as indicated by the care plan.
B. Use a two-person lift without a mechanical device.
C. Use a transfer/gait belt and pivot technique.
D. Allow the patient to transfer independently for the sake of exercise.
Correct Answer: A
The New York Safe Patient Handling Act mandates the use of mechanical lifts and
assistive devices to reduce injury to both staff and patients. The use of a manual lift is
prohibited, and the care plan will specify the appropriate device .
Question 4
A patient with diabetes reports feeling shaky and sweaty. The nurse aide's priority
action is to:
A. Administer insulin immediately.
B. Check the patient's blood glucose level if trained and delegated, and report
findings to the nurse.
C. Offer the patient a glass of orange juice.
D. Assist the patient to lie down and elevate their feet.
, Correct Answer: B
Shakiness and sweating are classic signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse aide must assess
the blood glucose level if within their scope of delegated practice and immediately
report the findings to the supervising nurse, who will then determine the appropriate
treatment. Providing a sugary substance without a confirmed blood glucose reading
can be dangerous if the patient is hyperglycemic .
Question 5
Which of the following tasks is outside the standard scope of practice for a New York
Acute Care Nurse Aide and must be delegated by a licensed nurse?
A. Providing perineal care to a patient with an indwelling catheter.
B. Emptying and measuring output from a urinary drainage bag.
C. Performing passive range of motion exercises.
D. Administering a tube feeding.
Correct Answer: D
The administration of tube feedings is a complex, invasive procedure that requires
nursing judgment and is typically outside the CNA's scope of practice . CNAs perform
tasks related to assisting with daily living and basic nursing care, not the
administration of nutritional support via a tube.
Question 6
A patient with a history of falls requires the use of a gait belt for ambulation. The
nurse aide has correctly applied the belt. At what point should the gait belt be
removed?
A. As soon as the patient is standing.
B. After the patient is seated safely in a chair.
C. Only when the patient is back in bed.
D. It should be left on at all times for safety.
Correct Answer: B
The gait belt should remain in place throughout the transfer and walking process and
only be removed once the patient is safely seated in a chair or bed .
Question 7
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, the nurse aide's most critical
action is to:
A. Use a small amount of toothpaste.
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position.
C. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
D. Hold the patient's mouth open with a bite block.
Correct Answer: B
Positioning the patient on their side is crucial to prevent aspiration of fluids or debris.
, This is the primary safety consideration for an unconscious patient .
Question 8
A resident becomes suddenly confused and tries to get out of bed to "go to work" at
3:00 AM. The resident is at risk for falls. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse aide implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to keep the resident safely in bed.
B. Place a bed alarm and reorient the resident.
C. Call the resident's family to come and calm them down.
D. Offer the resident a sleeping pill.
Correct Answer: B
Bed alarms are a least-restraint alternative to prevent falls, and reorientation
techniques should be attempted to address the resident's confusion . Restraints should
only be used as a last resort with a physician's order.
Question 9
The nurse aide notes that a patient's indwelling urinary catheter tubing has become
disconnected from the drainage bag. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Reconnect the tubing immediately and document.
B. Apply gloves, clean the ends with an alcohol wipe, and reconnect.
C. Clamp the tubing and notify the charge nurse immediately.
D. Discard the tubing and obtain a new catheter kit.
Correct Answer: C
Reconnecting the tubing carries a high risk of introducing infection. The nurse aide
should clamp the tubing to prevent urine leakage and immediately notify the charge
nurse, who will determine the need for sterile application of a new catheter or
drainage system .
Question 10
A resident is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia and is on droplet precautions.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for the nurse aide when
entering the room?
A. Gown and gloves only.
B. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves.
C. Surgical mask, gown, and gloves.
D. All of the above are necessary.
Correct Answer: C
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask, gown, and gloves. An N95 respirator is
used for airborne precautions .
Question 11
During a bed bath, a patient complains of feeling dizzy and lightheaded. The nurse
TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | 120 QUESTIONS & 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
Table of Contents
Role of the Nurse Aide & Scope of Practice
Infection Control & Standard Precautions
Safety, Emergency Procedures & Fire Safety
Basic Nursing Care & ADLs (Bathing, Dressing, Feeding)
Patient Mobility, Transfers & Positioning
Nutrition, Hydration & Elimination
Care of the Surgical & Specialized Patient
Respiratory, Cardiovascular & Neurological Care
Endocrine, Diabetes & Medication Considerations
Legal, Ethical Issues & Resident Rights
Care of the Dying, Post-Mortem Care & Grief
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for candidates
preparing for the New York Acute Care Nurse Aide (ACNA) certification, aligning with
the rigorous standards of Prometric and the New York State Department of Health
(NYSDOH). This study guide contains 120 advanced, scenario-based questions
covering critical thinking, code application, and professional judgment. Expect
questions on safe patient handling, infection control, recognizing acute changes, legal
obligations, and specialized care in hospital settings. This testbank reflects the latest
2026/2027 standards and emphasizes the high-level clinical decision-making required
for success on the certification exam and in practice .
Question 1
A nurse aide is caring for a post-operative patient who suddenly becomes tachypneic
and complains of chest pain. After calling for help, which of the following is the nurse
aide's priority action?
A. Take the patient's blood pressure.
B. Raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position.
C. Ask the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10.
D. Check the patient's oxygen saturation level.
, Correct Answer: B
Raising the head of the bed facilitates breathing and reduces the work of breathing,
which is critical in a potential respiratory or cardiac event. While checking vitals and
pain are important, positioning is the immediate, independent nursing action to
support respiration .
Question 2
A resident has a non-blanchable, reddened area on the sacrum. The nurse aide
observes a colleague vigorously massaging the area during a bed bath. What is the
most appropriate initial action?
A. Join the colleague and assist with the bath.
B. Document the finding in the patient's chart.
C. Stop the colleague, explain that massaging can cause deep tissue damage, and
report the observation to the charge nurse.
D. Ignore the situation to avoid conflict with the colleague.
Correct Answer: C
Massaging a reddened or non-blanchable area can cause further capillary damage
and necrosis. The aide must intervene to prevent harm to the resident, and the
incident must be reported as it indicates a lack of understanding of pressure injury
prevention .
Question 3
Under the New York Safe Patient Handling Act, what is the nurse aide's primary
responsibility when transferring a patient who is partially weight-bearing?
A. Use a mechanical lift or other assistive device as indicated by the care plan.
B. Use a two-person lift without a mechanical device.
C. Use a transfer/gait belt and pivot technique.
D. Allow the patient to transfer independently for the sake of exercise.
Correct Answer: A
The New York Safe Patient Handling Act mandates the use of mechanical lifts and
assistive devices to reduce injury to both staff and patients. The use of a manual lift is
prohibited, and the care plan will specify the appropriate device .
Question 4
A patient with diabetes reports feeling shaky and sweaty. The nurse aide's priority
action is to:
A. Administer insulin immediately.
B. Check the patient's blood glucose level if trained and delegated, and report
findings to the nurse.
C. Offer the patient a glass of orange juice.
D. Assist the patient to lie down and elevate their feet.
, Correct Answer: B
Shakiness and sweating are classic signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse aide must assess
the blood glucose level if within their scope of delegated practice and immediately
report the findings to the supervising nurse, who will then determine the appropriate
treatment. Providing a sugary substance without a confirmed blood glucose reading
can be dangerous if the patient is hyperglycemic .
Question 5
Which of the following tasks is outside the standard scope of practice for a New York
Acute Care Nurse Aide and must be delegated by a licensed nurse?
A. Providing perineal care to a patient with an indwelling catheter.
B. Emptying and measuring output from a urinary drainage bag.
C. Performing passive range of motion exercises.
D. Administering a tube feeding.
Correct Answer: D
The administration of tube feedings is a complex, invasive procedure that requires
nursing judgment and is typically outside the CNA's scope of practice . CNAs perform
tasks related to assisting with daily living and basic nursing care, not the
administration of nutritional support via a tube.
Question 6
A patient with a history of falls requires the use of a gait belt for ambulation. The
nurse aide has correctly applied the belt. At what point should the gait belt be
removed?
A. As soon as the patient is standing.
B. After the patient is seated safely in a chair.
C. Only when the patient is back in bed.
D. It should be left on at all times for safety.
Correct Answer: B
The gait belt should remain in place throughout the transfer and walking process and
only be removed once the patient is safely seated in a chair or bed .
Question 7
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, the nurse aide's most critical
action is to:
A. Use a small amount of toothpaste.
B. Position the patient in a side-lying position.
C. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
D. Hold the patient's mouth open with a bite block.
Correct Answer: B
Positioning the patient on their side is crucial to prevent aspiration of fluids or debris.
, This is the primary safety consideration for an unconscious patient .
Question 8
A resident becomes suddenly confused and tries to get out of bed to "go to work" at
3:00 AM. The resident is at risk for falls. Which of the following interventions should
the nurse aide implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to keep the resident safely in bed.
B. Place a bed alarm and reorient the resident.
C. Call the resident's family to come and calm them down.
D. Offer the resident a sleeping pill.
Correct Answer: B
Bed alarms are a least-restraint alternative to prevent falls, and reorientation
techniques should be attempted to address the resident's confusion . Restraints should
only be used as a last resort with a physician's order.
Question 9
The nurse aide notes that a patient's indwelling urinary catheter tubing has become
disconnected from the drainage bag. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Reconnect the tubing immediately and document.
B. Apply gloves, clean the ends with an alcohol wipe, and reconnect.
C. Clamp the tubing and notify the charge nurse immediately.
D. Discard the tubing and obtain a new catheter kit.
Correct Answer: C
Reconnecting the tubing carries a high risk of introducing infection. The nurse aide
should clamp the tubing to prevent urine leakage and immediately notify the charge
nurse, who will determine the need for sterile application of a new catheter or
drainage system .
Question 10
A resident is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia and is on droplet precautions.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for the nurse aide when
entering the room?
A. Gown and gloves only.
B. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves.
C. Surgical mask, gown, and gloves.
D. All of the above are necessary.
Correct Answer: C
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask, gown, and gloves. An N95 respirator is
used for airborne precautions .
Question 11
During a bed bath, a patient complains of feeling dizzy and lightheaded. The nurse
