Prometric CNA Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Nurse Aide Q&A Study
Guide | Nursing
1. A resident tells the nurse aide, "I feel like killing myself." What is the FIRST
action the CNA should take?
A) Tell the resident to "stop talking like that" and change the subject
B) Document the statement in the resident's chart and continue with care
C) Stay with the resident and immediately report the statement to the
supervising nurse
D) Ask the resident if they have a specific plan and promise to keep it
confidential
Correct Answer: Stay with the resident and immediately report the statement
to the supervising nurse
Rationale: Any statement about self-harm or suicide is a critical alert that
requires immediate intervention. The CNA must not leave the resident alone
and must report the statement to the supervising nurse without delay.
Confidentiality does not apply when there is a risk of harm to the resident.
2. Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a CNA?
A) Measuring and recording a resident's blood pressure
B) Assisting a resident with ambulation using a gait belt
C) Administering prescribed medications to a resident
D) Providing perineal care to an incontinent resident
Correct Answer: Administering prescribed medications to a resident
Rationale: Medication administration is not within the CNA's scope of
practice; it is a licensed nursing function. CNAs provide basic daily care,
assist with activities of daily living, take vital signs, and report observations,
,but they cannot administer medications or perform any task requiring clinical
judgment outside their training.
3. A resident is eating lunch and begins coughing forcefully. Their face is
slightly red, and they are able to speak a few words between coughs. What
should the CNA do?
A) Perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately
B) Slap them firmly on the back
C) Give them a glass of water
D) Encourage them to continue coughing and stay with them
Correct Answer: Encourage them to continue coughing and stay with them
Rationale: The resident is demonstrating effective coughing and can speak,
which indicates a partial airway obstruction. The appropriate action is to
encourage continued coughing to clear the obstruction, as the Heimlich
maneuver is only indicated for complete obstruction (inability to speak,
cough, or breathe).
4. According to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), which of the
following is a resident's right?
A) To refuse treatment and care
B) To have visitors only during designated hours
C) To have their personal belongings stored in a locked facility closet
D) To receive care only from the primary nurse
Correct Answer: To refuse treatment and care
Rationale: OBRA guarantees residents the right to make their own decisions
regarding their care, including the right to refuse treatment. Residents also
,have the right to privacy, to manage their own finances, and to be free from
restraint, among other rights.
5. A CNA is preparing to take a resident's radial pulse. How long should the
CNA count the pulse?
A) 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B) 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C) For one full minute
D) 45 seconds and multiply by 1.5
Correct Answer: For one full minute
Rationale: The radial pulse should be counted for one full minute to ensure
accuracy, especially if the pulse is irregular. Counting for a shorter time can
lead to inaccurate measurements.
6. You enter a resident's room and see smoke coming from the wastebasket.
There is no resident in the room. What is your FIRST action?
A) Pull the fire alarm
B) Try to put out the fire with a blanket
C) Close the door to the room
D) Run to the nurse's station to get help
Correct Answer: Close the door to the room
Rationale: The RACE protocol for fire safety is: Rescue (no one is in the
room), Alarm (pull the alarm), Contain (close the door to starve the fire of
oxygen), and Extinguish. Closing the door is the first physical action to
contain the fire.
, 7. A resident has been in wrist restraints for 2 hours, and you are assigned to
remove the restraints to reposition the patient. Where should the restraints
be secured after repositioning?
A) To the bed frame, never to the side rails
B) To the side rails for easy access
C) To the headboard for visibility
D) To the footboard to prevent sliding
Correct Answer: To the bed frame, never to the side rails
Rationale: Restraints must be secured to a part of the bed that moves with
the bed (the bed frame), never to the side rails, as side rails can cause injury
if they are lowered or moved. Restraints should be tied with a quick-release
knot.
8. Which of the following best describes the role of a Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA)?
A) Prescribing medications to residents
B) Performing physical therapy assessments
C) Providing basic daily care and assisting with Activities of Daily Living
(ADLs)
D) Diagnosing medical conditions
Correct Answer: Providing basic daily care and assisting with Activities of
Daily Living (ADLs)
Rationale: The CNA's primary role is to provide basic daily care, including
bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding. CNAs work under the
Guide | Nursing
1. A resident tells the nurse aide, "I feel like killing myself." What is the FIRST
action the CNA should take?
A) Tell the resident to "stop talking like that" and change the subject
B) Document the statement in the resident's chart and continue with care
C) Stay with the resident and immediately report the statement to the
supervising nurse
D) Ask the resident if they have a specific plan and promise to keep it
confidential
Correct Answer: Stay with the resident and immediately report the statement
to the supervising nurse
Rationale: Any statement about self-harm or suicide is a critical alert that
requires immediate intervention. The CNA must not leave the resident alone
and must report the statement to the supervising nurse without delay.
Confidentiality does not apply when there is a risk of harm to the resident.
2. Which of the following tasks is outside the scope of practice for a CNA?
A) Measuring and recording a resident's blood pressure
B) Assisting a resident with ambulation using a gait belt
C) Administering prescribed medications to a resident
D) Providing perineal care to an incontinent resident
Correct Answer: Administering prescribed medications to a resident
Rationale: Medication administration is not within the CNA's scope of
practice; it is a licensed nursing function. CNAs provide basic daily care,
assist with activities of daily living, take vital signs, and report observations,
,but they cannot administer medications or perform any task requiring clinical
judgment outside their training.
3. A resident is eating lunch and begins coughing forcefully. Their face is
slightly red, and they are able to speak a few words between coughs. What
should the CNA do?
A) Perform the Heimlich maneuver immediately
B) Slap them firmly on the back
C) Give them a glass of water
D) Encourage them to continue coughing and stay with them
Correct Answer: Encourage them to continue coughing and stay with them
Rationale: The resident is demonstrating effective coughing and can speak,
which indicates a partial airway obstruction. The appropriate action is to
encourage continued coughing to clear the obstruction, as the Heimlich
maneuver is only indicated for complete obstruction (inability to speak,
cough, or breathe).
4. According to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA), which of the
following is a resident's right?
A) To refuse treatment and care
B) To have visitors only during designated hours
C) To have their personal belongings stored in a locked facility closet
D) To receive care only from the primary nurse
Correct Answer: To refuse treatment and care
Rationale: OBRA guarantees residents the right to make their own decisions
regarding their care, including the right to refuse treatment. Residents also
,have the right to privacy, to manage their own finances, and to be free from
restraint, among other rights.
5. A CNA is preparing to take a resident's radial pulse. How long should the
CNA count the pulse?
A) 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B) 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C) For one full minute
D) 45 seconds and multiply by 1.5
Correct Answer: For one full minute
Rationale: The radial pulse should be counted for one full minute to ensure
accuracy, especially if the pulse is irregular. Counting for a shorter time can
lead to inaccurate measurements.
6. You enter a resident's room and see smoke coming from the wastebasket.
There is no resident in the room. What is your FIRST action?
A) Pull the fire alarm
B) Try to put out the fire with a blanket
C) Close the door to the room
D) Run to the nurse's station to get help
Correct Answer: Close the door to the room
Rationale: The RACE protocol for fire safety is: Rescue (no one is in the
room), Alarm (pull the alarm), Contain (close the door to starve the fire of
oxygen), and Extinguish. Closing the door is the first physical action to
contain the fire.
, 7. A resident has been in wrist restraints for 2 hours, and you are assigned to
remove the restraints to reposition the patient. Where should the restraints
be secured after repositioning?
A) To the bed frame, never to the side rails
B) To the side rails for easy access
C) To the headboard for visibility
D) To the footboard to prevent sliding
Correct Answer: To the bed frame, never to the side rails
Rationale: Restraints must be secured to a part of the bed that moves with
the bed (the bed frame), never to the side rails, as side rails can cause injury
if they are lowered or moved. Restraints should be tied with a quick-release
knot.
8. Which of the following best describes the role of a Certified Nursing
Assistant (CNA)?
A) Prescribing medications to residents
B) Performing physical therapy assessments
C) Providing basic daily care and assisting with Activities of Daily Living
(ADLs)
D) Diagnosing medical conditions
Correct Answer: Providing basic daily care and assisting with Activities of
Daily Living (ADLs)
Rationale: The CNA's primary role is to provide basic daily care, including
bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding. CNAs work under the
