CNA Practice Test 2026/2027: 90 Certified
Nursing Assistant Exam Questions &
Answers with Rationales – Updated for
NNAAP® & State Competency Standards
Description:
Pass your CNA certification exam in 2026/2027 with this free 90-question practice test.
Includes updated NNAAP®-aligned questions, detailed answer rationales, and coverage
of HIPAA, dementia care, infection control, and resident rights.
Download the complete exam guide now and boost your confidence before test day.
, CNA Practice Exam 2026/2027 – 90 Questions & Answers
This comprehensive examination assesses knowledge and skills essential for entry-level
nursing assistants in contemporary healthcare settings. Questions reflect current clinical
guidelines, legal requirements, and person-centered care principles.
Section 1: Resident Rights and Legal Responsibilities
1. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is important to
the nurse aide because it
A. allows residents to carry health care coverage from hospitals to long-term care facilities
B. provides insurance options for residents and healthcare workers
C. identifies protected health information that must remain confidential
D. identifies protected health information that must remain confidential
Answer: C
Explanation: HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient
health information. Nurse aides must understand what constitutes protected health
information (PHI) and maintain confidentiality in all verbal, written, and electronic
communications about residents.
2. A nurse aide enters a room just as a resident's spouse slaps the resident. The resident
does not appear upset or injured. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Leave the room and close the door to allow privacy
B. Consider whether this behavior is typical for this couple
C. Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately
D. Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately
Answer: C
,Explanation: Any suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment must be reported
immediately to the charge nurse, regardless of whether the resident appears distressed.
Nurse aides are mandatory reporters and must follow facility protocols for reporting
potential abuse.
3. A resident with advance directives has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. This means
the resident
A. does not remember previous events
B. should not be physically restrained
C. does not respond to verbal instructions
D. should not be resuscitated
Answer: D
Explanation: A DNR order means that if the resident stops breathing or their heart
stops beating, healthcare providers should not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR). The nurse aide must be aware of residents' code status and respect these
advance care planning decisions.
4. A resident who is Jewish declines to attend the facility's Christmas party. The nurse
aide should
A. remind the resident how much they typically enjoy parties
B. encourage attendance since many other residents are going
C. respect the resident's decision and ask what they would prefer to do
D. respect the resident's decision and ask what they would prefer to do
Answer: C
Explanation: Respecting cultural and religious diversity is fundamental to person-
centered care. The nurse aide must honor the resident's right to choose whether to
participate in activities and explore alternative meaningful engagement options.
, Section 2: Safety and Emergency Procedures
5. A nurse aide enters a resident's room and finds a trash can on fire. What should the
nurse aide do first?
A. Use the resident's water pitcher to extinguish the fire
B. Open windows to allow smoke to escape
C. Remove the resident from the room
D. Remove the resident from the room
Answer: C
Explanation: In any fire emergency, removing residents from immediate danger is the
first priority (RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish). The nurse aide
should move the resident to safety before activating the alarm or attempting to contain
the fire.
6. A resident is lying in bed vomiting. Why must the nurse aide quickly turn the
resident onto their side?
A. To position the resident more comfortably
B. To place towels and protect bed linens
C. To keep vomit off the resident's face
D. To help prevent aspiration
Answer: D
Explanation: Positioning an actively vomiting resident on their side uses gravity to
prevent vomitus from entering the airway and lungs (aspiration), which can cause life-
threatening pneumonia or airway obstruction. This is a critical safety intervention.
Nursing Assistant Exam Questions &
Answers with Rationales – Updated for
NNAAP® & State Competency Standards
Description:
Pass your CNA certification exam in 2026/2027 with this free 90-question practice test.
Includes updated NNAAP®-aligned questions, detailed answer rationales, and coverage
of HIPAA, dementia care, infection control, and resident rights.
Download the complete exam guide now and boost your confidence before test day.
, CNA Practice Exam 2026/2027 – 90 Questions & Answers
This comprehensive examination assesses knowledge and skills essential for entry-level
nursing assistants in contemporary healthcare settings. Questions reflect current clinical
guidelines, legal requirements, and person-centered care principles.
Section 1: Resident Rights and Legal Responsibilities
1. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is important to
the nurse aide because it
A. allows residents to carry health care coverage from hospitals to long-term care facilities
B. provides insurance options for residents and healthcare workers
C. identifies protected health information that must remain confidential
D. identifies protected health information that must remain confidential
Answer: C
Explanation: HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient
health information. Nurse aides must understand what constitutes protected health
information (PHI) and maintain confidentiality in all verbal, written, and electronic
communications about residents.
2. A nurse aide enters a room just as a resident's spouse slaps the resident. The resident
does not appear upset or injured. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Leave the room and close the door to allow privacy
B. Consider whether this behavior is typical for this couple
C. Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately
D. Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately
Answer: C
,Explanation: Any suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment must be reported
immediately to the charge nurse, regardless of whether the resident appears distressed.
Nurse aides are mandatory reporters and must follow facility protocols for reporting
potential abuse.
3. A resident with advance directives has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. This means
the resident
A. does not remember previous events
B. should not be physically restrained
C. does not respond to verbal instructions
D. should not be resuscitated
Answer: D
Explanation: A DNR order means that if the resident stops breathing or their heart
stops beating, healthcare providers should not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR). The nurse aide must be aware of residents' code status and respect these
advance care planning decisions.
4. A resident who is Jewish declines to attend the facility's Christmas party. The nurse
aide should
A. remind the resident how much they typically enjoy parties
B. encourage attendance since many other residents are going
C. respect the resident's decision and ask what they would prefer to do
D. respect the resident's decision and ask what they would prefer to do
Answer: C
Explanation: Respecting cultural and religious diversity is fundamental to person-
centered care. The nurse aide must honor the resident's right to choose whether to
participate in activities and explore alternative meaningful engagement options.
, Section 2: Safety and Emergency Procedures
5. A nurse aide enters a resident's room and finds a trash can on fire. What should the
nurse aide do first?
A. Use the resident's water pitcher to extinguish the fire
B. Open windows to allow smoke to escape
C. Remove the resident from the room
D. Remove the resident from the room
Answer: C
Explanation: In any fire emergency, removing residents from immediate danger is the
first priority (RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish). The nurse aide
should move the resident to safety before activating the alarm or attempting to contain
the fire.
6. A resident is lying in bed vomiting. Why must the nurse aide quickly turn the
resident onto their side?
A. To position the resident more comfortably
B. To place towels and protect bed linens
C. To keep vomit off the resident's face
D. To help prevent aspiration
Answer: D
Explanation: Positioning an actively vomiting resident on their side uses gravity to
prevent vomitus from entering the airway and lungs (aspiration), which can cause life-
threatening pneumonia or airway obstruction. This is a critical safety intervention.
