Indiana Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Written Examination Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank — 150 Multiple-Choice
Questions with Answer Rationales a well
detailed one written and graded
A+ upgraded
Exam Topic: Indiana CNA Written Exam
Difficulty Level: Advanced / Mixed (Conceptual, Application, and Scenario-Based)
Target Audience: CNA candidates preparing for the Indiana State Nurse Aide Competency
Evaluation
SECTION I: ROLE OF THE NURSE AIDE (Questions 1–27)
1. A CNA observes a coworker striking a resident. What is the CNA's FIRST and MOST
important action?
A) Confront the coworker privately about the behavior
B) Document the incident in the resident's chart
C) Report the observation immediately to the licensed nurse or supervisor
D) Ask the resident if they want to file a complaint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs have a legal and ethical obligation to report any observed or suspected abuse
immediately to the licensed nurse or supervisor. Reporting through the chain of command is
mandatory, not optional. Confronting the coworker (A) is inappropriate and could escalate the
situation. Documentation (B) should occur after reporting, not as the first step. Asking the
resident (D) places an undue burden on the resident and delays necessary protective action.
,2. Which of the following actions by a CNA would be considered a violation of resident rights?
A) Closing the resident's door during a personal care procedure
B) Knocking before entering the resident's room
C) Reading a resident's mail aloud to another staff member
D) Allowing the resident to choose their own clothing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Residents have the right to confidentiality and privacy. Reading a resident's mail
aloud to another staff member violates the resident's right to privacy and confidentiality.
Closing the door (A) and knocking before entering (B) are appropriate actions that protect
privacy. Allowing residents to choose their clothing (D) supports their right to self-
determination.
3. A resident refuses to take a scheduled bath. What should the CNA do?
A) Insist that the resident must bathe because it is scheduled
B) Document the refusal and attempt again later
C) Ask another CNA to force the resident to bathe
D) Skip the bath and document that it was completed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect the refusal,
document it accurately, and attempt again later or offer alternatives. Forcing care (A, C)
constitutes abuse and violates resident rights. Falsifying documentation (D) is unethical and
illegal.
4. A CNA notices that a resident's personal money is missing from the bedside table. What is
the appropriate action?
A) Confront the resident about being careless with money
B) Report the missing money to the charge nurse immediately
C) Search the resident's room for the money
D) Ignore it since the resident may have misplaced it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Misappropriation of resident property is a legal violation that must be reported. The
CNA must report any missing personal property to the charge nurse immediately. Confronting
,the resident (A) is not the CNA's role. Searching the room (C) without authorization violates
resident rights. Ignoring the issue (D) is negligent.
5. Which of the following is an example of the CNA working within the scope of practice?
A) Prescribing medication for a resident's pain
B) Changing a sterile dressing without supervision
C) Assisting a resident with feeding and recording intake
D) Diagnosing a resident's skin condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with feeding and recording intake falls within the CNA's scope of practice.
Prescribing medication (A), changing sterile dressings without supervision (B), and diagnosing
conditions (D) are outside the CNA's scope and require licensed nursing or medical personnel.
6. A resident tells the CNA, "I don't want anyone to know about my health problems." What is
the BEST response?
A) "Don't worry, everything you say is confidential."
B) "I will only share information with the healthcare team who needs to know."
C) "I promise I won't tell anyone."
D) "You should talk to the nurse about that."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response is honest and maintains professionalism while respecting HIPAA and
resident confidentiality. It appropriately explains that information is shared on a need-to-know
basis with the healthcare team. Promising absolute confidentiality (A, C) is inappropriate
because the CNA may need to share information for care purposes. Dismissing the resident (D)
fails to address their concern.
7. Which of the following is the CORRECT order of the chain of command for a CNA to report a
concern?
A) Resident → Family → CNA → Nurse
B) CNA → Charge Nurse → Supervisor → Administrator
C) CNA → Administrator → Nurse → Supervisor
D) Resident → CNA → Family → Nurse
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chain of command in healthcare moves from the CNA to the charge nurse, then
to the supervisor, and finally to the administrator. This ensures proper communication and
accountability. Reporting directly to administration (C) bypasses the appropriate channels.
Involving family before nursing staff (A, D) is inappropriate.
8. A CNA is asked by a family member to provide information about a resident's condition.
What should the CNA do?
A) Provide the information since the family has a right to know
B) Tell the family member to ask the resident directly
C) Politely decline and direct the family member to the charge nurse
D) Provide limited information without using the resident's name
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs must protect resident confidentiality and should not share information with
family members. The appropriate action is to direct the family member to the charge nurse,
who can determine what information may be shared appropriately. Providing information (A, D)
violates HIPAA. Telling them to ask the resident (B) may be appropriate in some cases but does
not address the CNA's responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
9. A CNA is caring for a resident from a culture that prefers to have family members present
during personal care. What should the CNA do?
A) Explain that facility policy requires staff only during care
B) Allow family members to remain if the resident requests it
C) Ask the family to wait in the hallway
D) Report the family to the supervisor for being disruptive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNAs must respect cultural and religious diversity. If a resident requests family
presence during care, the CNA should accommodate this preference when possible. Dismissing
cultural preferences (A, C) is disrespectful. Reporting the family (D) is unnecessary and
inappropriate.
10. What is the CNA's primary responsibility regarding the resident's care plan?
Written Examination Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank — 150 Multiple-Choice
Questions with Answer Rationales a well
detailed one written and graded
A+ upgraded
Exam Topic: Indiana CNA Written Exam
Difficulty Level: Advanced / Mixed (Conceptual, Application, and Scenario-Based)
Target Audience: CNA candidates preparing for the Indiana State Nurse Aide Competency
Evaluation
SECTION I: ROLE OF THE NURSE AIDE (Questions 1–27)
1. A CNA observes a coworker striking a resident. What is the CNA's FIRST and MOST
important action?
A) Confront the coworker privately about the behavior
B) Document the incident in the resident's chart
C) Report the observation immediately to the licensed nurse or supervisor
D) Ask the resident if they want to file a complaint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs have a legal and ethical obligation to report any observed or suspected abuse
immediately to the licensed nurse or supervisor. Reporting through the chain of command is
mandatory, not optional. Confronting the coworker (A) is inappropriate and could escalate the
situation. Documentation (B) should occur after reporting, not as the first step. Asking the
resident (D) places an undue burden on the resident and delays necessary protective action.
,2. Which of the following actions by a CNA would be considered a violation of resident rights?
A) Closing the resident's door during a personal care procedure
B) Knocking before entering the resident's room
C) Reading a resident's mail aloud to another staff member
D) Allowing the resident to choose their own clothing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Residents have the right to confidentiality and privacy. Reading a resident's mail
aloud to another staff member violates the resident's right to privacy and confidentiality.
Closing the door (A) and knocking before entering (B) are appropriate actions that protect
privacy. Allowing residents to choose their clothing (D) supports their right to self-
determination.
3. A resident refuses to take a scheduled bath. What should the CNA do?
A) Insist that the resident must bathe because it is scheduled
B) Document the refusal and attempt again later
C) Ask another CNA to force the resident to bathe
D) Skip the bath and document that it was completed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Residents have the right to refuse care. The CNA should respect the refusal,
document it accurately, and attempt again later or offer alternatives. Forcing care (A, C)
constitutes abuse and violates resident rights. Falsifying documentation (D) is unethical and
illegal.
4. A CNA notices that a resident's personal money is missing from the bedside table. What is
the appropriate action?
A) Confront the resident about being careless with money
B) Report the missing money to the charge nurse immediately
C) Search the resident's room for the money
D) Ignore it since the resident may have misplaced it
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Misappropriation of resident property is a legal violation that must be reported. The
CNA must report any missing personal property to the charge nurse immediately. Confronting
,the resident (A) is not the CNA's role. Searching the room (C) without authorization violates
resident rights. Ignoring the issue (D) is negligent.
5. Which of the following is an example of the CNA working within the scope of practice?
A) Prescribing medication for a resident's pain
B) Changing a sterile dressing without supervision
C) Assisting a resident with feeding and recording intake
D) Diagnosing a resident's skin condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with feeding and recording intake falls within the CNA's scope of practice.
Prescribing medication (A), changing sterile dressings without supervision (B), and diagnosing
conditions (D) are outside the CNA's scope and require licensed nursing or medical personnel.
6. A resident tells the CNA, "I don't want anyone to know about my health problems." What is
the BEST response?
A) "Don't worry, everything you say is confidential."
B) "I will only share information with the healthcare team who needs to know."
C) "I promise I won't tell anyone."
D) "You should talk to the nurse about that."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This response is honest and maintains professionalism while respecting HIPAA and
resident confidentiality. It appropriately explains that information is shared on a need-to-know
basis with the healthcare team. Promising absolute confidentiality (A, C) is inappropriate
because the CNA may need to share information for care purposes. Dismissing the resident (D)
fails to address their concern.
7. Which of the following is the CORRECT order of the chain of command for a CNA to report a
concern?
A) Resident → Family → CNA → Nurse
B) CNA → Charge Nurse → Supervisor → Administrator
C) CNA → Administrator → Nurse → Supervisor
D) Resident → CNA → Family → Nurse
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chain of command in healthcare moves from the CNA to the charge nurse, then
to the supervisor, and finally to the administrator. This ensures proper communication and
accountability. Reporting directly to administration (C) bypasses the appropriate channels.
Involving family before nursing staff (A, D) is inappropriate.
8. A CNA is asked by a family member to provide information about a resident's condition.
What should the CNA do?
A) Provide the information since the family has a right to know
B) Tell the family member to ask the resident directly
C) Politely decline and direct the family member to the charge nurse
D) Provide limited information without using the resident's name
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs must protect resident confidentiality and should not share information with
family members. The appropriate action is to direct the family member to the charge nurse,
who can determine what information may be shared appropriately. Providing information (A, D)
violates HIPAA. Telling them to ask the resident (B) may be appropriate in some cases but does
not address the CNA's responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
9. A CNA is caring for a resident from a culture that prefers to have family members present
during personal care. What should the CNA do?
A) Explain that facility policy requires staff only during care
B) Allow family members to remain if the resident requests it
C) Ask the family to wait in the hallway
D) Report the family to the supervisor for being disruptive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNAs must respect cultural and religious diversity. If a resident requests family
presence during care, the CNA should accommodate this preference when possible. Dismissing
cultural preferences (A, C) is disrespectful. Reporting the family (D) is unnecessary and
inappropriate.
10. What is the CNA's primary responsibility regarding the resident's care plan?
