NHA Certified Nursing Assistant CNA Exam 2026/2027 |
Practice Questions And Answers 2026/2027 | Complete
Questions And Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A nursing assistant enters a resident’s room and finds the resident lying on the floor
beside the bed. What should the nursing assistant do FIRST?
A. Help the resident back into bed
B. Assess the resident for obvious injury and remain with the resident
C. Ask another resident to get the nurse
D. Complete an incident report immediately
Answer: B
The nursing assistant should first ensure the resident remains safe and assess for obvious
injury without moving the resident unnecessarily. The nurse should then be notified according
to facility policy.
2. Before assisting a resident with a meal, which action is MOST important for preventing
aspiration?
A. Place the resident in an upright position
B. Offer the resident a large amount of water
C. Have the resident lie on the side
D. Begin feeding quickly while the food is warm
Answer: A
An upright position promotes safer swallowing and reduces the risk of food or liquid entering
the airway.
3. A resident says, “I do not want to take a shower today.” What is the BEST response by
the nursing assistant?
A. “You must shower because it is scheduled.”
B. “Your family expects you to shower.”
C. “Can you tell me why you do not want to shower today?”
D. “I will document that you refused all care.”
Answer: C
Exploring the reason for refusal respects the resident’s autonomy and may identify a concern
that can be addressed without coercion.
4. Which finding should a nursing assistant report to the nurse IMMEDIATELY?
A. The resident prefers tea instead of coffee
,B. The resident requests a different television channel
C. The resident has dry skin on the elbows
D. The resident suddenly develops difficulty speaking
Answer: D
Sudden difficulty speaking may indicate an acute neurological emergency such as a stroke
and requires immediate reporting.
5. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing hands only when visibly soiled
B. Cleaning hands before and after resident contact
C. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Washing hands only at the beginning of the shift
Answer: B
Hand hygiene before and after resident contact helps prevent transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace appropriate hand hygiene.
6. A nursing assistant is helping a resident ambulate with a gait belt. Where should the gait
belt generally be positioned?
A. Around the resident’s neck
B. Around the chest
C. Snugly around the waist over clothing
D. Around the resident’s knees
Answer: C
A properly positioned gait belt provides a secure area for assisting with transfers and
ambulation while reducing the risk of injury.
7. A resident with dementia repeatedly asks, “When is my daughter coming?” Which
response is MOST appropriate?
A. “I already told you that.”
B. “Stop asking the same question.”
C. “Your daughter does not visit very often.”
D. “You are wondering when your daughter will arrive. Let’s look at the schedule together.”
Answer: D
A calm, reassuring response acknowledges the resident’s concern without confrontation and
redirects attention constructively.
8. Which observation is MOST suggestive of a pressure injury developing?
A. Redness over a bony prominence that does not disappear
,B. Warm hands after exercise
C. Slightly dry skin on the forearm
D. Temporary redness after scratching
Answer: A
Persistent redness over a pressure point can be an early sign of tissue damage and should be
reported promptly.
9. When making an occupied bed, the nursing assistant should FIRST:
A. Remove the resident from the bed
B. Explain the procedure to the resident
C. Place all dirty linens on the floor
D. Raise the bed to the highest possible position
Answer: B
Explaining the procedure promotes cooperation, dignity, and safety before care begins.
10. Which body position is generally appropriate for a resident who is having difficulty
breathing?
A. Flat supine
B. Prone
C. Upright or semi-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
An upright or semi-Fowler’s position can improve chest expansion and ease breathing.
11. A resident begins choking while eating and cannot speak, cough, or breathe effectively.
What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Give the resident water
B. Perform the appropriate emergency choking response and activate emergency assistance
C. Leave the room to find the resident’s family
D. Place the resident in bed
Answer: B
A person who cannot speak, cough, or breathe effectively may have a severe airway
obstruction and requires immediate emergency intervention according to current training and
facility protocol.
12. Which action best protects a resident’s privacy during personal care?
A. Leaving the door open for convenience
B. Discussing the resident with coworkers in the hallway
, C. Keeping the resident covered except for the area being cared for
D. Asking visitors to watch the procedure
Answer: C
Maintaining appropriate coverage and limiting exposure protects dignity and privacy during
personal care.
13. A resident has a new bruise that was not present during the previous shift. What should
the nursing assistant do?
A. Ignore it unless the resident complains
B. Apply medication without an order
C. Report the finding to the nurse
D. Tell another resident about it
Answer: C
A new unexplained bruise may require assessment and documentation and should be
reported according to facility policy.
14. Which statement about standard precautions is correct?
A. They are used only with residents who have infections.
B. They are used with every resident according to the potential exposure.
C. They eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
D. They require wearing a gown for every interaction.
Answer: B
Standard precautions are applied routinely based on the anticipated exposure to blood, body
fluids, nonintact skin, and other potentially infectious materials.
15. A resident’s blood pressure is significantly different from the resident’s usual reading.
What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Change the resident’s medication
B. Record a normal value instead
C. Report the abnormal finding to the nurse
D. Repeat the reading until it becomes normal
Answer: C
A significant change from the resident’s normal measurement should be accurately reported
rather than altered or ignored.
16. Which action is appropriate when measuring a resident’s pulse?
A. Count for a brief period and always multiply by four
B. Use the appropriate pulse site and assess rate and rhythm
Practice Questions And Answers 2026/2027 | Complete
Questions And Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep |
Comprehensive Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A nursing assistant enters a resident’s room and finds the resident lying on the floor
beside the bed. What should the nursing assistant do FIRST?
A. Help the resident back into bed
B. Assess the resident for obvious injury and remain with the resident
C. Ask another resident to get the nurse
D. Complete an incident report immediately
Answer: B
The nursing assistant should first ensure the resident remains safe and assess for obvious
injury without moving the resident unnecessarily. The nurse should then be notified according
to facility policy.
2. Before assisting a resident with a meal, which action is MOST important for preventing
aspiration?
A. Place the resident in an upright position
B. Offer the resident a large amount of water
C. Have the resident lie on the side
D. Begin feeding quickly while the food is warm
Answer: A
An upright position promotes safer swallowing and reduces the risk of food or liquid entering
the airway.
3. A resident says, “I do not want to take a shower today.” What is the BEST response by
the nursing assistant?
A. “You must shower because it is scheduled.”
B. “Your family expects you to shower.”
C. “Can you tell me why you do not want to shower today?”
D. “I will document that you refused all care.”
Answer: C
Exploring the reason for refusal respects the resident’s autonomy and may identify a concern
that can be addressed without coercion.
4. Which finding should a nursing assistant report to the nurse IMMEDIATELY?
A. The resident prefers tea instead of coffee
,B. The resident requests a different television channel
C. The resident has dry skin on the elbows
D. The resident suddenly develops difficulty speaking
Answer: D
Sudden difficulty speaking may indicate an acute neurological emergency such as a stroke
and requires immediate reporting.
5. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Washing hands only when visibly soiled
B. Cleaning hands before and after resident contact
C. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
D. Washing hands only at the beginning of the shift
Answer: B
Hand hygiene before and after resident contact helps prevent transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace appropriate hand hygiene.
6. A nursing assistant is helping a resident ambulate with a gait belt. Where should the gait
belt generally be positioned?
A. Around the resident’s neck
B. Around the chest
C. Snugly around the waist over clothing
D. Around the resident’s knees
Answer: C
A properly positioned gait belt provides a secure area for assisting with transfers and
ambulation while reducing the risk of injury.
7. A resident with dementia repeatedly asks, “When is my daughter coming?” Which
response is MOST appropriate?
A. “I already told you that.”
B. “Stop asking the same question.”
C. “Your daughter does not visit very often.”
D. “You are wondering when your daughter will arrive. Let’s look at the schedule together.”
Answer: D
A calm, reassuring response acknowledges the resident’s concern without confrontation and
redirects attention constructively.
8. Which observation is MOST suggestive of a pressure injury developing?
A. Redness over a bony prominence that does not disappear
,B. Warm hands after exercise
C. Slightly dry skin on the forearm
D. Temporary redness after scratching
Answer: A
Persistent redness over a pressure point can be an early sign of tissue damage and should be
reported promptly.
9. When making an occupied bed, the nursing assistant should FIRST:
A. Remove the resident from the bed
B. Explain the procedure to the resident
C. Place all dirty linens on the floor
D. Raise the bed to the highest possible position
Answer: B
Explaining the procedure promotes cooperation, dignity, and safety before care begins.
10. Which body position is generally appropriate for a resident who is having difficulty
breathing?
A. Flat supine
B. Prone
C. Upright or semi-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
An upright or semi-Fowler’s position can improve chest expansion and ease breathing.
11. A resident begins choking while eating and cannot speak, cough, or breathe effectively.
What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Give the resident water
B. Perform the appropriate emergency choking response and activate emergency assistance
C. Leave the room to find the resident’s family
D. Place the resident in bed
Answer: B
A person who cannot speak, cough, or breathe effectively may have a severe airway
obstruction and requires immediate emergency intervention according to current training and
facility protocol.
12. Which action best protects a resident’s privacy during personal care?
A. Leaving the door open for convenience
B. Discussing the resident with coworkers in the hallway
, C. Keeping the resident covered except for the area being cared for
D. Asking visitors to watch the procedure
Answer: C
Maintaining appropriate coverage and limiting exposure protects dignity and privacy during
personal care.
13. A resident has a new bruise that was not present during the previous shift. What should
the nursing assistant do?
A. Ignore it unless the resident complains
B. Apply medication without an order
C. Report the finding to the nurse
D. Tell another resident about it
Answer: C
A new unexplained bruise may require assessment and documentation and should be
reported according to facility policy.
14. Which statement about standard precautions is correct?
A. They are used only with residents who have infections.
B. They are used with every resident according to the potential exposure.
C. They eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
D. They require wearing a gown for every interaction.
Answer: B
Standard precautions are applied routinely based on the anticipated exposure to blood, body
fluids, nonintact skin, and other potentially infectious materials.
15. A resident’s blood pressure is significantly different from the resident’s usual reading.
What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Change the resident’s medication
B. Record a normal value instead
C. Report the abnormal finding to the nurse
D. Repeat the reading until it becomes normal
Answer: C
A significant change from the resident’s normal measurement should be accurately reported
rather than altered or ignored.
16. Which action is appropriate when measuring a resident’s pulse?
A. Count for a brief period and always multiply by four
B. Use the appropriate pulse site and assess rate and rhythm
