CERTIFIED NURSE ASSISTANT (CNA) COMPETENCY
EXAMINATION
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY (Questions 1–10)
Question 1: When a certified nurse assistant (CNA) notices a change in a resident's condition,
the CNA should:
Answer: Report the change to the supervising nurse immediately.
Rationale: CNAs are responsible for observing and reporting changes in residents' conditions to
the supervising nurse. They are not qualified to diagnose or treat independently. Documentation
is important, but the supervising nurse must be notified first so that appropriate interventions
can be initiated.
Question 2: Which of the following tasks is within the scope of practice for a CNA?
Answer: Measuring and recording vital signs.
Rationale: CNAs are trained to measure and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration,
blood pressure). Administering medications is outside the scope of practice for CNAs. Inserting
,a urinary catheter and changing sterile dressings require licensed nursing skills. Assisting with
ADLs is within the scope of practice.
Question 3: A resident asks the CNA to keep a personal matter confidential. The CNA should:
Answer: Explain that while they will respect the resident's privacy, they must report safety
concerns to the nurse.
Rationale: CNAs are required to maintain confidentiality but must report safety concerns (abuse,
neglect, suicidal ideation, etc.) to the supervising nurse. They cannot promise to keep
information that may affect the resident's safety confidential.
Question 4: When the CNA observes a coworker being abusive toward a resident, the CNA
should:
Answer: Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately.
Rationale: Reporting abuse is a legal and ethical obligation. CNAs are mandated reporters and
must report suspected abuse immediately. Confronting the coworker directly may escalate the
situation. Ignoring the behavior is not acceptable.
Question 5: The CNA is caring for a resident who refuses to take a bath. The CNA should:
Answer: Respect the resident's right to refuse and report the refusal to the nurse.
,Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect the resident's
decision, document the refusal, and report it to the supervising nurse. The nurse may need to
reassess the resident or find alternative approaches.
Question 6: A resident's family member asks the CNA for information about the resident's
medical condition. The CNA should:
Answer: Refer the family member to the charge nurse.
Rationale: CNAs are not authorized to discuss a resident's medical condition with family
members. This is the responsibility of the supervising nurse. The CNA should maintain
confidentiality and refer questions to the appropriate staff.
Question 7: When assisting a resident with a meal, the CNA notices that the resident is coughing
and having difficulty swallowing. The CNA should:
Answer: Stop feeding immediately and notify the nurse.
Rationale: Coughing and difficulty swallowing may indicate aspiration risk. The CNA should
stop feeding and notify the nurse immediately. Continuing to feed the resident could lead to
aspiration pneumonia. Encouraging the resident to cough and documenting the event are not the
priority.
, Question 8: The CNA is assigned to care for a resident who is confused and agitated. The CNA
should:
Answer: Speak calmly and use simple, clear language.
Rationale: Residents with confusion benefit from calm, simple communication. Restraints should
be used only as a last resort with a physician's order. Leaving the resident alone is unsafe.
Speaking loudly can increase agitation.
Question 9: A CNA's primary responsibility is to:
Answer: Provide direct care to residents under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
Rationale: CNAs provide direct, hands-on care to residents under the supervision of a licensed
nurse (RN or LPN). They do not work independently. Developing care plans and administering
medications are outside the scope of practice for CNAs.
Question 10: When the CNA is asked to perform a task that is not within their scope of practice,
the CNA should:
Answer: Politely refuse and explain that the task is outside their scope of practice.
Rationale: CNAs must know their scope of practice and refuse tasks that are not within it.
Performing tasks outside the scope of practice can endanger the resident and place the CNA at
risk for legal action. The nurse should be notified so that a licensed person can perform the task.
EXAMINATION
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY (Questions 1–10)
Question 1: When a certified nurse assistant (CNA) notices a change in a resident's condition,
the CNA should:
Answer: Report the change to the supervising nurse immediately.
Rationale: CNAs are responsible for observing and reporting changes in residents' conditions to
the supervising nurse. They are not qualified to diagnose or treat independently. Documentation
is important, but the supervising nurse must be notified first so that appropriate interventions
can be initiated.
Question 2: Which of the following tasks is within the scope of practice for a CNA?
Answer: Measuring and recording vital signs.
Rationale: CNAs are trained to measure and record vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration,
blood pressure). Administering medications is outside the scope of practice for CNAs. Inserting
,a urinary catheter and changing sterile dressings require licensed nursing skills. Assisting with
ADLs is within the scope of practice.
Question 3: A resident asks the CNA to keep a personal matter confidential. The CNA should:
Answer: Explain that while they will respect the resident's privacy, they must report safety
concerns to the nurse.
Rationale: CNAs are required to maintain confidentiality but must report safety concerns (abuse,
neglect, suicidal ideation, etc.) to the supervising nurse. They cannot promise to keep
information that may affect the resident's safety confidential.
Question 4: When the CNA observes a coworker being abusive toward a resident, the CNA
should:
Answer: Report the observation to the charge nurse immediately.
Rationale: Reporting abuse is a legal and ethical obligation. CNAs are mandated reporters and
must report suspected abuse immediately. Confronting the coworker directly may escalate the
situation. Ignoring the behavior is not acceptable.
Question 5: The CNA is caring for a resident who refuses to take a bath. The CNA should:
Answer: Respect the resident's right to refuse and report the refusal to the nurse.
,Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect the resident's
decision, document the refusal, and report it to the supervising nurse. The nurse may need to
reassess the resident or find alternative approaches.
Question 6: A resident's family member asks the CNA for information about the resident's
medical condition. The CNA should:
Answer: Refer the family member to the charge nurse.
Rationale: CNAs are not authorized to discuss a resident's medical condition with family
members. This is the responsibility of the supervising nurse. The CNA should maintain
confidentiality and refer questions to the appropriate staff.
Question 7: When assisting a resident with a meal, the CNA notices that the resident is coughing
and having difficulty swallowing. The CNA should:
Answer: Stop feeding immediately and notify the nurse.
Rationale: Coughing and difficulty swallowing may indicate aspiration risk. The CNA should
stop feeding and notify the nurse immediately. Continuing to feed the resident could lead to
aspiration pneumonia. Encouraging the resident to cough and documenting the event are not the
priority.
, Question 8: The CNA is assigned to care for a resident who is confused and agitated. The CNA
should:
Answer: Speak calmly and use simple, clear language.
Rationale: Residents with confusion benefit from calm, simple communication. Restraints should
be used only as a last resort with a physician's order. Leaving the resident alone is unsafe.
Speaking loudly can increase agitation.
Question 9: A CNA's primary responsibility is to:
Answer: Provide direct care to residents under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
Rationale: CNAs provide direct, hands-on care to residents under the supervision of a licensed
nurse (RN or LPN). They do not work independently. Developing care plans and administering
medications are outside the scope of practice for CNAs.
Question 10: When the CNA is asked to perform a task that is not within their scope of practice,
the CNA should:
Answer: Politely refuse and explain that the task is outside their scope of practice.
Rationale: CNAs must know their scope of practice and refuse tasks that are not within it.
Performing tasks outside the scope of practice can endanger the resident and place the CNA at
risk for legal action. The nurse should be notified so that a licensed person can perform the task.
