Certified Nursing Assistant CNA
Practice Test Comprehensive Practice
Examination Graded A+
1. When helping a resident who has right-sided weakness to dress, which arm should the
nursing assistant place in the shirt sleeve first?
○ A. The right arm
○ B. The left arm
○ C. Whichever arm the resident prefers
○ D. Both arms simultaneously
Rationale: When dressing a resident with one-sided weakness, always dress the
affected (weak) side first and undress it last to minimize movement and discomfort.
2. What is the proper method for measuring a resident's oral temperature using an electronic
thermometer?
○ A. Place the probe under the tongue to the side for 5 minutes
○ B. Place the probe with a disposable cover under the tongue at the sublingual
pocket until it beeps
○ C. Place the probe on top of the tongue in the center of the mouth
○ D. Ask the resident to hold the probe between their teeth tightly
Rationale: Sublingual placement with a sheath ensures accurate measurement of
core body temperature without risk of cross-contamination or injury.
3. A nursing assistant enters a resident's room and notices a small fire in the wastebasket.
What is the immediate first action?
○ A. Extinguish the fire with a water pitcher
○ B. Rescue and remove any resident in immediate danger
○ C. Pull the nearest fire alarm station
○ D. Close all doors and windows in the hallway
Rationale: Following the RACE acronym for fire safety, the first step is always
Rescue/Remove anyone in immediate danger before activating alarms or
containing the fire.
4. When transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be
positioned?
○ A. At the foot of the bed facing away
○ B. On the resident's weaker side
○ C. On the resident's stronger side, angled slightly toward the bed
○ D. At least two feet away from the bed frame
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the resident's stronger side allows them
to lead with their strong leg and arm during the pivot transfer.
5. Which of the following is considered an early sign of a developing pressure injury on a
light-skinned resident?
○ A. Open blister with purulent fluid
○ B. Non-blanchable erythema (redness) over a bony prominence
○ C. Deep crater with exposed muscle tissue
○ D. Dry, scaly skin on the lower extremities
Rationale: Stage 1 pressure injuries manifest as persistent redness that does not
blanch (turn white) when pressed, indicating tissue ischemia.
, 6. How frequently must a bedbound resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injury
formation?
○ A. Every 30 minutes
○ B. At least every 2 hours
○ C. Once every shift (8 hours)
○ D. Only when the resident requests a position change
Rationale: Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves capillary pressure over
bony prominences and restores blood circulation to tissues.
7. When performing perineal care for a female resident, in which direction should the nursing
assistant wipe?
○ A. From back to front (rectum to pubis)
○ B. From front to back (urethra to rectum)
○ C. In a circular motion around the labia
○ D. Back and forth using firm pressure
Rationale: Wiping front to back prevents intestinal bacteria around the anal area
from contaminating the urinary tract and causing UTIs.
8. What is the standard normal range for an adult's resting pulse rate?
○ A. 40 to 60 beats per minute
○ B. 60 to 100 beats per minute
○ C. 80 to 120 beats per minute
○ D. 100 to 140 beats per minute
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per
minute. Rates below 60 indicate bradycardia and above 100 indicate tachycardia.
9. When performing passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on a resident's joint, the
nursing assistant should:
○ A. Move the joint quickly past the point of resistance
○ B. Support the limb above and below the joint and stop if the resident
expresses pain
○ C. Force the joint through its maximum range even if painful
○ D. Complete 20 repetitions on each joint per session
Rationale: PROM exercises require proper joint support and must never force a
joint past resistance or cause pain, which can injure tissues.
10. A resident on a fluid restriction order requests a full glass of water. What is the most
appropriate response by the nursing assistant?
○ A. Provide the water but record it on the intake sheet
○ B. Explain the fluid restriction politely and offer permitted ice chips or a
smaller measured amount within limits
○ C. Ignore the request and exit the room
○ D. Report the resident to the charge nurse for non-compliance
Rationale: Fluid restrictions are medical orders necessary to prevent fluid
overload; CNAs must explain restrictions supportively while adhering strictly to
prescribed intake allowances.
11. Which technique maintains proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object?
○ A. Bending at the waist with knees locked straight
○ B. Keeping a wide base of support, bending at the knees, and holding the
object close to the body
○ C. Twisting the torso while lifting upward
○ D. Lifting with the back muscles while extending arms outward
Rationale: Bending at the knees uses strong leg muscles, while keeping objects
close to the center of gravity prevents back strain and injury.
12. A resident who has Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated during late afternoon hours.
Practice Test Comprehensive Practice
Examination Graded A+
1. When helping a resident who has right-sided weakness to dress, which arm should the
nursing assistant place in the shirt sleeve first?
○ A. The right arm
○ B. The left arm
○ C. Whichever arm the resident prefers
○ D. Both arms simultaneously
Rationale: When dressing a resident with one-sided weakness, always dress the
affected (weak) side first and undress it last to minimize movement and discomfort.
2. What is the proper method for measuring a resident's oral temperature using an electronic
thermometer?
○ A. Place the probe under the tongue to the side for 5 minutes
○ B. Place the probe with a disposable cover under the tongue at the sublingual
pocket until it beeps
○ C. Place the probe on top of the tongue in the center of the mouth
○ D. Ask the resident to hold the probe between their teeth tightly
Rationale: Sublingual placement with a sheath ensures accurate measurement of
core body temperature without risk of cross-contamination or injury.
3. A nursing assistant enters a resident's room and notices a small fire in the wastebasket.
What is the immediate first action?
○ A. Extinguish the fire with a water pitcher
○ B. Rescue and remove any resident in immediate danger
○ C. Pull the nearest fire alarm station
○ D. Close all doors and windows in the hallway
Rationale: Following the RACE acronym for fire safety, the first step is always
Rescue/Remove anyone in immediate danger before activating alarms or
containing the fire.
4. When transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be
positioned?
○ A. At the foot of the bed facing away
○ B. On the resident's weaker side
○ C. On the resident's stronger side, angled slightly toward the bed
○ D. At least two feet away from the bed frame
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the resident's stronger side allows them
to lead with their strong leg and arm during the pivot transfer.
5. Which of the following is considered an early sign of a developing pressure injury on a
light-skinned resident?
○ A. Open blister with purulent fluid
○ B. Non-blanchable erythema (redness) over a bony prominence
○ C. Deep crater with exposed muscle tissue
○ D. Dry, scaly skin on the lower extremities
Rationale: Stage 1 pressure injuries manifest as persistent redness that does not
blanch (turn white) when pressed, indicating tissue ischemia.
, 6. How frequently must a bedbound resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injury
formation?
○ A. Every 30 minutes
○ B. At least every 2 hours
○ C. Once every shift (8 hours)
○ D. Only when the resident requests a position change
Rationale: Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves capillary pressure over
bony prominences and restores blood circulation to tissues.
7. When performing perineal care for a female resident, in which direction should the nursing
assistant wipe?
○ A. From back to front (rectum to pubis)
○ B. From front to back (urethra to rectum)
○ C. In a circular motion around the labia
○ D. Back and forth using firm pressure
Rationale: Wiping front to back prevents intestinal bacteria around the anal area
from contaminating the urinary tract and causing UTIs.
8. What is the standard normal range for an adult's resting pulse rate?
○ A. 40 to 60 beats per minute
○ B. 60 to 100 beats per minute
○ C. 80 to 120 beats per minute
○ D. 100 to 140 beats per minute
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per
minute. Rates below 60 indicate bradycardia and above 100 indicate tachycardia.
9. When performing passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on a resident's joint, the
nursing assistant should:
○ A. Move the joint quickly past the point of resistance
○ B. Support the limb above and below the joint and stop if the resident
expresses pain
○ C. Force the joint through its maximum range even if painful
○ D. Complete 20 repetitions on each joint per session
Rationale: PROM exercises require proper joint support and must never force a
joint past resistance or cause pain, which can injure tissues.
10. A resident on a fluid restriction order requests a full glass of water. What is the most
appropriate response by the nursing assistant?
○ A. Provide the water but record it on the intake sheet
○ B. Explain the fluid restriction politely and offer permitted ice chips or a
smaller measured amount within limits
○ C. Ignore the request and exit the room
○ D. Report the resident to the charge nurse for non-compliance
Rationale: Fluid restrictions are medical orders necessary to prevent fluid
overload; CNAs must explain restrictions supportively while adhering strictly to
prescribed intake allowances.
11. Which technique maintains proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object?
○ A. Bending at the waist with knees locked straight
○ B. Keeping a wide base of support, bending at the knees, and holding the
object close to the body
○ C. Twisting the torso while lifting upward
○ D. Lifting with the back muscles while extending arms outward
Rationale: Bending at the knees uses strong leg muscles, while keeping objects
close to the center of gravity prevents back strain and injury.
12. A resident who has Alzheimer's disease becomes agitated during late afternoon hours.
