CNA Practice Test 2026: 100 Certified Nursing
Assistant Exam Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A resident’s call light should always be placed:
A. On the floor beside the bed
B. Within the resident’s reach
C. At the foot of the bed
D. Outside the room
Answer: B. Within the resident’s reach
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach promotes safety and allows the resident to
request assistance when needed.
2. Which is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Using hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask during every procedure
D. Keeping residents isolated
Answer: B. Using hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing
transmission of microorganisms.
3. A CNA notices that a resident has a new bruise. What should the CNA do first?
A. Apply lotion to the area
B. Ask another resident what happened
C. Report the observation to the nurse
D. Tell the resident to rest
Answer: C. Report the observation to the nurse
Rationale: CNAs observe and report changes in a resident’s condition. They should not
independently diagnose or treat unexplained injuries.
4. Which action demonstrates respect for a resident’s privacy?
A. Leaving the door open during personal care
,B. Discussing the resident in the hallway
C. Closing the curtain during bathing
D. Sharing information with visitors
Answer: C. Closing the curtain during bathing
Rationale: Privacy should be maintained during personal care and other situations
where the resident may be exposed.
5. When should a CNA perform hand hygiene?
A. Only before eating
B. Only after using the bathroom
C. Before and after resident care
D. Once at the beginning of the shift
Answer: C. Before and after resident care
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed at appropriate points before and after
resident contact and whenever contamination is possible.
6. A resident begins choking and cannot speak or cough effectively. What should the
CNA do?
A. Give the resident water
B. Leave the room
C. Activate emergency procedures and provide appropriate first aid within training
D. Place the resident in bed
Answer: C. Activate emergency procedures and provide appropriate first aid within
training
Rationale: Severe choking is an emergency. The CNA should immediately obtain
emergency assistance and act according to training and facility policy.
7. Which position is generally safest for a resident who is eating?
A. Flat on the back
B. Upright
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
, Answer: B. Upright
Rationale: An upright position helps promote safer swallowing and reduces the risk of
aspiration.
8. What does NPO mean?
A. Nothing by mouth
B. New patient order
C. Normal physical observation
D. No physical activity
Answer: A. Nothing by mouth
Rationale: NPO is a medical abbreviation meaning the person should receive nothing
orally, according to the healthcare provider’s order.
9. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Resident requests a blanket
B. Resident has sudden difficulty breathing
C. Resident wants to watch television
D. Resident asks for water when permitted
Answer: B. Resident has sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden difficulty breathing can indicate a serious medical emergency and
requires immediate attention.
10. A resident refuses a bath. What should the CNA do?
A. Force the resident to bathe
B. Threaten to report the resident
C. Respect the refusal and report it according to policy
D. Bathe the resident while they are sleeping
Answer: C. Respect the refusal and report it according to policy
Rationale: Residents have the right to participate in decisions about their care and may
refuse care.
11. Which action helps prevent pressure injuries?
Assistant Exam Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A resident’s call light should always be placed:
A. On the floor beside the bed
B. Within the resident’s reach
C. At the foot of the bed
D. Outside the room
Answer: B. Within the resident’s reach
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach promotes safety and allows the resident to
request assistance when needed.
2. Which is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Using hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask during every procedure
D. Keeping residents isolated
Answer: B. Using hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing
transmission of microorganisms.
3. A CNA notices that a resident has a new bruise. What should the CNA do first?
A. Apply lotion to the area
B. Ask another resident what happened
C. Report the observation to the nurse
D. Tell the resident to rest
Answer: C. Report the observation to the nurse
Rationale: CNAs observe and report changes in a resident’s condition. They should not
independently diagnose or treat unexplained injuries.
4. Which action demonstrates respect for a resident’s privacy?
A. Leaving the door open during personal care
,B. Discussing the resident in the hallway
C. Closing the curtain during bathing
D. Sharing information with visitors
Answer: C. Closing the curtain during bathing
Rationale: Privacy should be maintained during personal care and other situations
where the resident may be exposed.
5. When should a CNA perform hand hygiene?
A. Only before eating
B. Only after using the bathroom
C. Before and after resident care
D. Once at the beginning of the shift
Answer: C. Before and after resident care
Rationale: Hand hygiene should be performed at appropriate points before and after
resident contact and whenever contamination is possible.
6. A resident begins choking and cannot speak or cough effectively. What should the
CNA do?
A. Give the resident water
B. Leave the room
C. Activate emergency procedures and provide appropriate first aid within training
D. Place the resident in bed
Answer: C. Activate emergency procedures and provide appropriate first aid within
training
Rationale: Severe choking is an emergency. The CNA should immediately obtain
emergency assistance and act according to training and facility policy.
7. Which position is generally safest for a resident who is eating?
A. Flat on the back
B. Upright
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
, Answer: B. Upright
Rationale: An upright position helps promote safer swallowing and reduces the risk of
aspiration.
8. What does NPO mean?
A. Nothing by mouth
B. New patient order
C. Normal physical observation
D. No physical activity
Answer: A. Nothing by mouth
Rationale: NPO is a medical abbreviation meaning the person should receive nothing
orally, according to the healthcare provider’s order.
9. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Resident requests a blanket
B. Resident has sudden difficulty breathing
C. Resident wants to watch television
D. Resident asks for water when permitted
Answer: B. Resident has sudden difficulty breathing
Rationale: Sudden difficulty breathing can indicate a serious medical emergency and
requires immediate attention.
10. A resident refuses a bath. What should the CNA do?
A. Force the resident to bathe
B. Threaten to report the resident
C. Respect the refusal and report it according to policy
D. Bathe the resident while they are sleeping
Answer: C. Respect the refusal and report it according to policy
Rationale: Residents have the right to participate in decisions about their care and may
refuse care.
11. Which action helps prevent pressure injuries?
