STNA Comprehensive Practice Exam 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. How long should an STNA scrub their hands with soap during the
handwashing procedure?
A. At least 5 seconds
B. At least 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. At least 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard infection control guidelines require scrubbing for at least 20 seconds
to effectively remove pathogens.
2. When transferring a resident with one-sided weakness, where should the
wheelchair be placed?
A. On the resident’s weak side
B. Behind the resident
C. Directly in front of the resident
D. On the resident’s strong side
Answer: D
Rationale: The wheelchair should be placed on the resident’s strong side so they can lead
with their stronger limb during the transfer.
,3. What is the first step an STNA should take when discovering a fire?
A. Extinguish the fire
B. Activate the alarm
C. Close all doors and windows
D. Rescue the resident in immediate danger
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the RACE acronym, ‘R’ stands for Rescue anyone in immediate
danger first.
4. Which of the following is considered a normal blood pressure reading for an
adult?
A. 145/95 mmHg
B. 118/78 mmHg
C. 90/50 mmHg
D. 160/100 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: A reading of 118/78 mmHg falls within the normal range (less than 120/80
mmHg).
5. What is the medical term for difficulty swallowing?
A. Dyspnea
B. Dysphasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysphagia
Answer: D
Rationale: Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, which requires special
precautions during feeding.
, 6. When performing oral care for an unconscious resident, what is the best
position to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Lateral (side-lying)
D. Prone
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the resident in a lateral position allows fluids to drain out of the mouth
rather than into the lungs.
7. If a resident is ‘NPO’, what does this mean?
A. Nothing by mouth
B. New patient only
C. Needs physical observation
D. Normal pressure only
Answer: A
Rationale: NPO stands for the Latin ‘nulla per os’, meaning the resident should not have
any food or fluids by mouth.
8. A resident wants to see their medical record. What is the STNA’s best
response?
A. Tell them they aren’t allowed to see it
B. Give them the chart immediately
C. Tell them to ask their doctor next week
D. Report the request to the nurse
Answer: D
Rationale: Residents have a right to see their records, but the STNA should coordinate this
through the nurse or supervisor.
1. How long should an STNA scrub their hands with soap during the
handwashing procedure?
A. At least 5 seconds
B. At least 10 seconds
C. At least 20 seconds
D. At least 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Standard infection control guidelines require scrubbing for at least 20 seconds
to effectively remove pathogens.
2. When transferring a resident with one-sided weakness, where should the
wheelchair be placed?
A. On the resident’s weak side
B. Behind the resident
C. Directly in front of the resident
D. On the resident’s strong side
Answer: D
Rationale: The wheelchair should be placed on the resident’s strong side so they can lead
with their stronger limb during the transfer.
,3. What is the first step an STNA should take when discovering a fire?
A. Extinguish the fire
B. Activate the alarm
C. Close all doors and windows
D. Rescue the resident in immediate danger
Answer: D
Rationale: According to the RACE acronym, ‘R’ stands for Rescue anyone in immediate
danger first.
4. Which of the following is considered a normal blood pressure reading for an
adult?
A. 145/95 mmHg
B. 118/78 mmHg
C. 90/50 mmHg
D. 160/100 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: A reading of 118/78 mmHg falls within the normal range (less than 120/80
mmHg).
5. What is the medical term for difficulty swallowing?
A. Dyspnea
B. Dysphasia
C. Atrophy
D. Dysphagia
Answer: D
Rationale: Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing, which requires special
precautions during feeding.
, 6. When performing oral care for an unconscious resident, what is the best
position to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Lateral (side-lying)
D. Prone
Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the resident in a lateral position allows fluids to drain out of the mouth
rather than into the lungs.
7. If a resident is ‘NPO’, what does this mean?
A. Nothing by mouth
B. New patient only
C. Needs physical observation
D. Normal pressure only
Answer: A
Rationale: NPO stands for the Latin ‘nulla per os’, meaning the resident should not have
any food or fluids by mouth.
8. A resident wants to see their medical record. What is the STNA’s best
response?
A. Tell them they aren’t allowed to see it
B. Give them the chart immediately
C. Tell them to ask their doctor next week
D. Report the request to the nurse
Answer: D
Rationale: Residents have a right to see their records, but the STNA should coordinate this
through the nurse or supervisor.
