Nursing Assistant Practice Questions and Answers - Prof.
Mumo (2026/2027)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Fundamentals | Key Domains: Basic Nursing Skills (Vital Signs,
Hygiene, Mobility), Communication & Interpersonal Skills, Safety & Emergency Procedures,
Residents' Rights & Independence, and Observation & Reporting | Expert-Aligned Structure | CNA
Practice Exam Format
Introduction
This structured Nursing Assistant Practice Q&A for 2026/2027 provides a comprehensive set of
questions with correct answers and rationales for CNA students and professionals. It emphasizes
the practical knowledge, compassionate care, and procedural skills required to provide safe,
effective, and person-centered care to residents and patients in various healthcare settings.
Practice Structure:
• CNA Comprehensive Practice Bank: (90 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and appropriate nursing assistant actions must appear in bold and cyan blue,
accompanied by concise rationales explaining the correct procedure (e.g., how to measure and
document a radial pulse), the principle of care (e.g., promoting independence within a resident's
ability), the safety consideration (e.g., using a gait belt during transfers), the reporting requirement
(e.g., a change in a resident's condition), and why alternative options are incorrect, unsafe, or violate
a resident's rights.
1. When measuring a resident’s radial pulse, where should the nursing assistant place their fingers?
A. On the wrist, thumb side
B. On the wrist, pinky side
C. On the inside of the wrist, below the thumb
, D. On the top of the hand
C. On the inside of the wrist, below the thumb
The radial artery runs along the thumb side of the inner wrist. Placing two or three fingers (not the
thumb, which has its own pulse) just above the wrist crease allows accurate pulse assessment. The
thumb side (A) is vague; pinky side (B) and top of hand (D) are incorrect locations.
2. A resident refuses to take a bath. What is the best action for the nursing assistant?
A. Insist that bathing is required
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the resident’s choice
C. Skip the bath and document as completed
D. Wait until the resident is asleep and bathe them
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the resident’s choice
Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should honor this decision, report it to the nurse
for further assessment, and explore alternatives (e.g., bed bath later). Forcing care (A, D) violates
rights; falsifying records (C) is unethical and illegal.
3. When assisting a resident with ambulation, what is the primary purpose of a gait belt?
A. To support the resident’s back
B. To provide a secure grip for the caregiver to prevent falls
C. To keep the resident’s pants up
D. To monitor the resident’s heart rate
B. To provide a secure grip for the caregiver to prevent falls
A gait belt is a safety device that allows the caregiver to hold the resident securely during transfers
or walking, reducing fall risk. It does not support the back (A), hold clothing (C), or monitor vitals
(D).
,4. A resident begins to choke while eating. What should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Give the resident water
B. Encourage the resident to cough
C. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
D. Call for the nurse
B. Encourage the resident to cough
If the resident is coughing forcefully, they are still able to breathe. Encouraging coughing may
dislodge the object. Abdominal thrusts (C) are only for complete airway obstruction (no coughing,
turning blue). Water (A) may worsen choking; calling the nurse (D) delays immediate action if
needed.
5. Which action promotes a resident’s independence during morning care?
A. Doing everything for the resident to save time
B. Allowing the resident to brush their own teeth with supervision
C. Choosing the resident’s clothes without asking
D. Bathing the resident quickly without discussion
B. Allowing the resident to brush their own teeth with supervision
Promoting independence means encouraging residents to do as much as they safely can. Supervised
self-care builds confidence and preserves function. Doing everything (A), making choices for them
(C), or rushing care (D) fosters dependence and disrespects autonomy.
6. How should a nursing assistant respond if a resident asks about their medical condition?
A. Explain the diagnosis in detail
B. Say, “I’m not allowed to discuss that”
, C. Tell the resident to ask the doctor
D. Listen and say, “I’ll let the nurse know you’d like to talk about this”
D. Listen and say, “I’ll let the nurse know you’d like to talk about this”
CNAs should not diagnose or explain medical conditions. Listening empathetically and referring the
question to the nurse respects the resident’s concern while staying within scope of practice.
Dismissing (B, C) or overstepping (A) is inappropriate.
7. When making an occupied bed, what is the safest way to move the resident?
A. Pull the resident by the arms
B. Log-roll the resident to the side
C. Ask the resident to sit up while changing sheets
D. Slide the resident across the bed using a drawsheet
D. Slide the resident across the bed using a drawsheet
A drawsheet (or transfer sheet) reduces friction and shearing, protecting both the resident’s skin
and the caregiver’s back. Pulling by arms (A) can cause injury; log-rolling (B) is for spinal
precautions; sitting up (C) may be unsafe for some residents.
8. A resident’s blood pressure reads 180/100 mm Hg. What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Recheck in 15 minutes
B. Document and report to the nurse immediately
C. Offer the resident a glass of water
D. Assume it’s normal for this resident
B. Document and report to the nurse immediately
Mumo (2026/2027)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Fundamentals | Key Domains: Basic Nursing Skills (Vital Signs,
Hygiene, Mobility), Communication & Interpersonal Skills, Safety & Emergency Procedures,
Residents' Rights & Independence, and Observation & Reporting | Expert-Aligned Structure | CNA
Practice Exam Format
Introduction
This structured Nursing Assistant Practice Q&A for 2026/2027 provides a comprehensive set of
questions with correct answers and rationales for CNA students and professionals. It emphasizes
the practical knowledge, compassionate care, and procedural skills required to provide safe,
effective, and person-centered care to residents and patients in various healthcare settings.
Practice Structure:
• CNA Comprehensive Practice Bank: (90 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and appropriate nursing assistant actions must appear in bold and cyan blue,
accompanied by concise rationales explaining the correct procedure (e.g., how to measure and
document a radial pulse), the principle of care (e.g., promoting independence within a resident's
ability), the safety consideration (e.g., using a gait belt during transfers), the reporting requirement
(e.g., a change in a resident's condition), and why alternative options are incorrect, unsafe, or violate
a resident's rights.
1. When measuring a resident’s radial pulse, where should the nursing assistant place their fingers?
A. On the wrist, thumb side
B. On the wrist, pinky side
C. On the inside of the wrist, below the thumb
, D. On the top of the hand
C. On the inside of the wrist, below the thumb
The radial artery runs along the thumb side of the inner wrist. Placing two or three fingers (not the
thumb, which has its own pulse) just above the wrist crease allows accurate pulse assessment. The
thumb side (A) is vague; pinky side (B) and top of hand (D) are incorrect locations.
2. A resident refuses to take a bath. What is the best action for the nursing assistant?
A. Insist that bathing is required
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the resident’s choice
C. Skip the bath and document as completed
D. Wait until the resident is asleep and bathe them
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the resident’s choice
Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should honor this decision, report it to the nurse
for further assessment, and explore alternatives (e.g., bed bath later). Forcing care (A, D) violates
rights; falsifying records (C) is unethical and illegal.
3. When assisting a resident with ambulation, what is the primary purpose of a gait belt?
A. To support the resident’s back
B. To provide a secure grip for the caregiver to prevent falls
C. To keep the resident’s pants up
D. To monitor the resident’s heart rate
B. To provide a secure grip for the caregiver to prevent falls
A gait belt is a safety device that allows the caregiver to hold the resident securely during transfers
or walking, reducing fall risk. It does not support the back (A), hold clothing (C), or monitor vitals
(D).
,4. A resident begins to choke while eating. What should the nursing assistant do first?
A. Give the resident water
B. Encourage the resident to cough
C. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
D. Call for the nurse
B. Encourage the resident to cough
If the resident is coughing forcefully, they are still able to breathe. Encouraging coughing may
dislodge the object. Abdominal thrusts (C) are only for complete airway obstruction (no coughing,
turning blue). Water (A) may worsen choking; calling the nurse (D) delays immediate action if
needed.
5. Which action promotes a resident’s independence during morning care?
A. Doing everything for the resident to save time
B. Allowing the resident to brush their own teeth with supervision
C. Choosing the resident’s clothes without asking
D. Bathing the resident quickly without discussion
B. Allowing the resident to brush their own teeth with supervision
Promoting independence means encouraging residents to do as much as they safely can. Supervised
self-care builds confidence and preserves function. Doing everything (A), making choices for them
(C), or rushing care (D) fosters dependence and disrespects autonomy.
6. How should a nursing assistant respond if a resident asks about their medical condition?
A. Explain the diagnosis in detail
B. Say, “I’m not allowed to discuss that”
, C. Tell the resident to ask the doctor
D. Listen and say, “I’ll let the nurse know you’d like to talk about this”
D. Listen and say, “I’ll let the nurse know you’d like to talk about this”
CNAs should not diagnose or explain medical conditions. Listening empathetically and referring the
question to the nurse respects the resident’s concern while staying within scope of practice.
Dismissing (B, C) or overstepping (A) is inappropriate.
7. When making an occupied bed, what is the safest way to move the resident?
A. Pull the resident by the arms
B. Log-roll the resident to the side
C. Ask the resident to sit up while changing sheets
D. Slide the resident across the bed using a drawsheet
D. Slide the resident across the bed using a drawsheet
A drawsheet (or transfer sheet) reduces friction and shearing, protecting both the resident’s skin
and the caregiver’s back. Pulling by arms (A) can cause injury; log-rolling (B) is for spinal
precautions; sitting up (C) may be unsafe for some residents.
8. A resident’s blood pressure reads 180/100 mm Hg. What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Recheck in 15 minutes
B. Document and report to the nurse immediately
C. Offer the resident a glass of water
D. Assume it’s normal for this resident
B. Document and report to the nurse immediately
