Nursing Assistant Exam Prep: Essential Patient Care
Q&A - Prof. Mumo (2026/2027)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Core Competencies | Key Domains: Activities of Daily Living
(ADLs) Assistance, Vital Signs Measurement, Infection Control, Mobility & Transfer Techniques,
Communication & Reporting, and Basic Emergency Response | Expert-Aligned Structure |
Multiple-Choice Exam Prep Format
Introduction
This structured Nursing Assistant Exam Prep for 2026/2027 provides 100 multiple-choice
questions with correct answers and rationales. It is designed to prepare candidates for the written
CNA certification exam by focusing on the essential knowledge and safe practices required for direct
patient care in various healthcare settings.
Exam Prep Structure:
● Comprehensive Exam Prep Bank: (100 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and safe care actions must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by
concise rationales explaining the correct procedure (e.g., proper handwashing technique), the
principle of care (e.g., maintaining patient dignity during ADL assistance), the safety standard (e.g.,
using a gait belt), the accurate method for obtaining a measurement (e.g., counting respirations for a
full minute), and why the alternative multiple-choice options are incorrect, unsafe, or violate
standard CNA practice.
Comprehensive Exam Prep Bank (100 Multiple-Choice
Questions)
1. What is the first action a nursing assistant should take before providing care to a resident?
, A. Begin the task immediately to save time
B. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
C. Ask the resident to undress quickly
D. Check the resident’s chart at the nurses’ station
B. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent infection transmission. It must be
performed before any direct contact with a resident, even if gloves will be worn. Starting care without
handwashing violates standard precautions and endangers the resident.
2. When assisting a resident with oral care, what is the correct position?
A. Supine with head flat
B. Sitting upright or side-lying with head turned
C. Prone position
D. Trendelenburg position
B. Sitting upright or side-lying with head turned
Rationale: This position prevents aspiration of toothpaste or secretions. Supine or flat positions
increase aspiration risk, especially in older or impaired residents. Prone and Trendelenburg are
inappropriate and unsafe for oral care.
3. How should a nursing assistant measure a resident’s respiratory rate?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C. Count for a full 60 seconds without telling the resident
D. Estimate based on chest movement while taking pulse
C. Count for a full 60 seconds without telling the resident
Rationale: Respirations can change if the resident knows they are being counted. For
accuracy—especially in ill or elderly residents—count for a full minute. Shorter counts may miss
irregular patterns or apneic episodes. Estimating is never acceptable.
,4. When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, what safety device should always be
used if the resident is unsteady?
A. Pillow under the arms
B. Gait belt
C. Blanket for warmth
D. Resident’s own shoes
B. Gait belt
Rationale: A gait belt provides secure grip and control during transfers, reducing fall risk for both
resident and staff. Pillows offer no support; blankets and shoes do not prevent falls. Using a gait belt is
a standard safety practice for partial-assist transfers.
5. A resident refuses to take a bath. What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Force the bath to maintain hygiene
B. Skip the bath and document refusal
C. Respect the refusal, offer alternatives, and report to the nurse
D. Tell the resident they smell bad
C. Respect the refusal, offer alternatives, and report to the nurse
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect autonomy, explain the
importance of hygiene, offer alternatives (e.g., sponge bath later), and notify the nurse for further
assessment. Forcing care violates rights and dignity; shaming is unprofessional.
6. What is the correct way to handle soiled linens?
A. Shake them to remove debris before placing in hamper
B. Place directly into a leak-proof laundry bag without shaking
C. Leave them on the floor until the laundry cart arrives
D. Rinse them in the sink before disposal
B. Place directly into a leak-proof laundry bag without shaking
, Rationale: Shaking linens aerosolizes pathogens. Soiled linens should be handled as little as possible
and placed directly into designated containers to prevent cross-contamination. Leaving linens on the
floor or rinsing in sinks spreads infection.
7. When measuring blood pressure, where should the cuff be placed?
A. Over clothing
B. On the forearm
C. Directly on bare upper arm, 1 inch above the antecubital space
D. On the wrist for convenience
C. Directly on bare upper arm, 1 inch above the antecubital space
Rationale: Accurate BP measurement requires the cuff on bare skin at heart level. Clothing can cause
falsely elevated readings. Wrist cuffs are less reliable. The bladder center must align with the brachial
artery for precision.
8. A resident begins to choke while eating. What is the first action?
A. Offer water to wash down the food
B. Encourage coughing if the resident can still breathe
C. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
D. Call 911 right away
B. Encourage coughing if the resident can still breathe
Rationale: If the resident is coughing forcefully, airway is partially open—coughing is the best way to
dislodge the object. Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) are only for complete obstruction (no sound,
inability to breathe). Water may worsen choking. Call for help, but act first if trained.
9. How should a nursing assistant communicate with a resident who has hearing loss?
A. Shout loudly from across the room
B. Speak slowly and clearly while facing the resident
C. Use complex medical terms to ensure accuracy
D. Avoid speaking and use only gestures
Q&A - Prof. Mumo (2026/2027)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Core Competencies | Key Domains: Activities of Daily Living
(ADLs) Assistance, Vital Signs Measurement, Infection Control, Mobility & Transfer Techniques,
Communication & Reporting, and Basic Emergency Response | Expert-Aligned Structure |
Multiple-Choice Exam Prep Format
Introduction
This structured Nursing Assistant Exam Prep for 2026/2027 provides 100 multiple-choice
questions with correct answers and rationales. It is designed to prepare candidates for the written
CNA certification exam by focusing on the essential knowledge and safe practices required for direct
patient care in various healthcare settings.
Exam Prep Structure:
● Comprehensive Exam Prep Bank: (100 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and safe care actions must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by
concise rationales explaining the correct procedure (e.g., proper handwashing technique), the
principle of care (e.g., maintaining patient dignity during ADL assistance), the safety standard (e.g.,
using a gait belt), the accurate method for obtaining a measurement (e.g., counting respirations for a
full minute), and why the alternative multiple-choice options are incorrect, unsafe, or violate
standard CNA practice.
Comprehensive Exam Prep Bank (100 Multiple-Choice
Questions)
1. What is the first action a nursing assistant should take before providing care to a resident?
, A. Begin the task immediately to save time
B. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
C. Ask the resident to undress quickly
D. Check the resident’s chart at the nurses’ station
B. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent infection transmission. It must be
performed before any direct contact with a resident, even if gloves will be worn. Starting care without
handwashing violates standard precautions and endangers the resident.
2. When assisting a resident with oral care, what is the correct position?
A. Supine with head flat
B. Sitting upright or side-lying with head turned
C. Prone position
D. Trendelenburg position
B. Sitting upright or side-lying with head turned
Rationale: This position prevents aspiration of toothpaste or secretions. Supine or flat positions
increase aspiration risk, especially in older or impaired residents. Prone and Trendelenburg are
inappropriate and unsafe for oral care.
3. How should a nursing assistant measure a resident’s respiratory rate?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2
C. Count for a full 60 seconds without telling the resident
D. Estimate based on chest movement while taking pulse
C. Count for a full 60 seconds without telling the resident
Rationale: Respirations can change if the resident knows they are being counted. For
accuracy—especially in ill or elderly residents—count for a full minute. Shorter counts may miss
irregular patterns or apneic episodes. Estimating is never acceptable.
,4. When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair, what safety device should always be
used if the resident is unsteady?
A. Pillow under the arms
B. Gait belt
C. Blanket for warmth
D. Resident’s own shoes
B. Gait belt
Rationale: A gait belt provides secure grip and control during transfers, reducing fall risk for both
resident and staff. Pillows offer no support; blankets and shoes do not prevent falls. Using a gait belt is
a standard safety practice for partial-assist transfers.
5. A resident refuses to take a bath. What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Force the bath to maintain hygiene
B. Skip the bath and document refusal
C. Respect the refusal, offer alternatives, and report to the nurse
D. Tell the resident they smell bad
C. Respect the refusal, offer alternatives, and report to the nurse
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect autonomy, explain the
importance of hygiene, offer alternatives (e.g., sponge bath later), and notify the nurse for further
assessment. Forcing care violates rights and dignity; shaming is unprofessional.
6. What is the correct way to handle soiled linens?
A. Shake them to remove debris before placing in hamper
B. Place directly into a leak-proof laundry bag without shaking
C. Leave them on the floor until the laundry cart arrives
D. Rinse them in the sink before disposal
B. Place directly into a leak-proof laundry bag without shaking
, Rationale: Shaking linens aerosolizes pathogens. Soiled linens should be handled as little as possible
and placed directly into designated containers to prevent cross-contamination. Leaving linens on the
floor or rinsing in sinks spreads infection.
7. When measuring blood pressure, where should the cuff be placed?
A. Over clothing
B. On the forearm
C. Directly on bare upper arm, 1 inch above the antecubital space
D. On the wrist for convenience
C. Directly on bare upper arm, 1 inch above the antecubital space
Rationale: Accurate BP measurement requires the cuff on bare skin at heart level. Clothing can cause
falsely elevated readings. Wrist cuffs are less reliable. The bladder center must align with the brachial
artery for precision.
8. A resident begins to choke while eating. What is the first action?
A. Offer water to wash down the food
B. Encourage coughing if the resident can still breathe
C. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
D. Call 911 right away
B. Encourage coughing if the resident can still breathe
Rationale: If the resident is coughing forcefully, airway is partially open—coughing is the best way to
dislodge the object. Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) are only for complete obstruction (no sound,
inability to breathe). Water may worsen choking. Call for help, but act first if trained.
9. How should a nursing assistant communicate with a resident who has hearing loss?
A. Shout loudly from across the room
B. Speak slowly and clearly while facing the resident
C. Use complex medical terms to ensure accuracy
D. Avoid speaking and use only gestures
