PA NURSE AIDE COMPETENCY EXAMINATION (CNA)
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
1. Resident Rights – Privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent, confidentiality, abuse
prevention, and respect for cultural diversity.
2. Communication Skills – Therapeutic communication, reporting changes, documentation, active
listening, and communicating with residents experiencing cognitive impairment.
3. Safety and Infection Control – Hand hygiene, PPE, standard and transmission-based
precautions, fall prevention, fire safety, and emergency procedures.
4. Personal Care Skills – Bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, oral hygiene, skin care, and
maintaining resident comfort.
5. Basic Nursing Skills – Measuring vital signs, height, weight, intake/output, specimen collection,
positioning, transfers, and observation/reporting.
6. Nutrition and Hydration – Feeding techniques, aspiration prevention, special diets, fluid
balance, and recognizing signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
7. Mental Health and Social Needs – Supporting emotional wellbeing, dementia care, behaviour
management, promoting independence, and reducing anxiety.
8. Care of Residents with Special Needs – Rehabilitation, restorative care, hospice care,
Alzheimer's disease, disabilities, and sensory impairments.
9. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities – Scope of practice, delegation, professionalism, mandatory
reporting, HIPAA compliance, and ethical decision-making.
10. Skills Evaluation Preparation – Proper procedural steps, critical elements, infection prevention
checkpoints, and resident safety throughout every skill.
PA Nurse Aide Competency Examination (CNA)
Question 1
A nurse aide enters a resident's room to assist with morning care and notices the
resident appears more confused than yesterday while speaking much more slowly than
normal. What should the nurse aide do FIRST according to safe nursing assistant
practice?
,A. Continue morning care and report after the shift ends
B. Immediately report the change in mental status to the nurse
C. Wait until the resident's family arrives to discuss the confusion
D. Document the confusion without informing anyone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden confusion is an important change in condition requiring immediate
reporting so the nurse can promptly assess the resident.
Question 2
Before assisting a resident with transferring from the bed to a wheelchair using a gait
belt, what should the nurse aide verify FIRST to help ensure both resident safety and
proper body mechanics throughout the transfer?
A. The television is turned off
B. The resident has eaten breakfast
C. The care plan and transfer requirements
D. The room temperature is comfortable
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The care plan identifies the correct transfer method, required equipment,
and number of caregivers needed.
Question 3
While providing oral hygiene to an unconscious resident, which positioning technique
best reduces the risk of aspiration while allowing secretions to drain safely from the
mouth during the procedure?
A. Flat on the back
B. Side-lying with the head turned
C. Sitting upright unsupported
D. Standing beside the bed
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying positioning promotes drainage and decreases aspiration risk during
oral care.
Question 4
A resident tells the nurse aide that another staff member frequently yells at residents
and threatens to withhold care when they complain. What is the nurse aide's MOST
appropriate immediate responsibility?
A. Ignore the statement unless another resident confirms it
B. Report the allegation immediately according to facility policy
C. Discuss the issue with coworkers before informing the nurse
D. Wait until the next staff meeting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any suspicion or allegation of abuse must be reported immediately following
facility procedures.
Question 5
During mealtime assistance, a resident suddenly begins coughing forcefully after taking
a bite of food but is still able to speak. What should the nurse aide do FIRST?
A. Encourage the resident to continue coughing
B. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
C. Give water to wash down the food
D. Lay the resident flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A resident who can cough and speak has a partial airway obstruction and
should be encouraged to continue coughing.
, Question 6
Which action by the nurse aide best demonstrates respect for a resident's right to
privacy while providing assistance with bathing in a semi-private room?
A. Leaving the curtain open for observation
B. Closing curtains and exposing only the area being washed
C. Completing the bath as quickly as possible
D. Asking another resident to help
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protecting privacy by closing curtains and limiting exposure preserves dignity.
Question 7
When measuring a resident's blood pressure manually, why is selecting the correct cuff
size especially important for obtaining an accurate reading during routine vital sign
assessment?
A. It prevents hearing loss
B. It affects the accuracy of the blood pressure reading
C. It reduces body temperature
D. It improves pulse rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incorrect cuff size produces inaccurate blood pressure measurements.
Question 8
A resident with diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and dizzy shortly before lunch
while remaining awake and able to swallow safely. What should the nurse aide do
FIRST?
A. Report symptoms immediately to the nurse
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
10-Point Exam Coverage Summary
1. Resident Rights – Privacy, dignity, independence, informed consent, confidentiality, abuse
prevention, and respect for cultural diversity.
2. Communication Skills – Therapeutic communication, reporting changes, documentation, active
listening, and communicating with residents experiencing cognitive impairment.
3. Safety and Infection Control – Hand hygiene, PPE, standard and transmission-based
precautions, fall prevention, fire safety, and emergency procedures.
4. Personal Care Skills – Bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, oral hygiene, skin care, and
maintaining resident comfort.
5. Basic Nursing Skills – Measuring vital signs, height, weight, intake/output, specimen collection,
positioning, transfers, and observation/reporting.
6. Nutrition and Hydration – Feeding techniques, aspiration prevention, special diets, fluid
balance, and recognizing signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
7. Mental Health and Social Needs – Supporting emotional wellbeing, dementia care, behaviour
management, promoting independence, and reducing anxiety.
8. Care of Residents with Special Needs – Rehabilitation, restorative care, hospice care,
Alzheimer's disease, disabilities, and sensory impairments.
9. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities – Scope of practice, delegation, professionalism, mandatory
reporting, HIPAA compliance, and ethical decision-making.
10. Skills Evaluation Preparation – Proper procedural steps, critical elements, infection prevention
checkpoints, and resident safety throughout every skill.
PA Nurse Aide Competency Examination (CNA)
Question 1
A nurse aide enters a resident's room to assist with morning care and notices the
resident appears more confused than yesterday while speaking much more slowly than
normal. What should the nurse aide do FIRST according to safe nursing assistant
practice?
,A. Continue morning care and report after the shift ends
B. Immediately report the change in mental status to the nurse
C. Wait until the resident's family arrives to discuss the confusion
D. Document the confusion without informing anyone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden confusion is an important change in condition requiring immediate
reporting so the nurse can promptly assess the resident.
Question 2
Before assisting a resident with transferring from the bed to a wheelchair using a gait
belt, what should the nurse aide verify FIRST to help ensure both resident safety and
proper body mechanics throughout the transfer?
A. The television is turned off
B. The resident has eaten breakfast
C. The care plan and transfer requirements
D. The room temperature is comfortable
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The care plan identifies the correct transfer method, required equipment,
and number of caregivers needed.
Question 3
While providing oral hygiene to an unconscious resident, which positioning technique
best reduces the risk of aspiration while allowing secretions to drain safely from the
mouth during the procedure?
A. Flat on the back
B. Side-lying with the head turned
C. Sitting upright unsupported
D. Standing beside the bed
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying positioning promotes drainage and decreases aspiration risk during
oral care.
Question 4
A resident tells the nurse aide that another staff member frequently yells at residents
and threatens to withhold care when they complain. What is the nurse aide's MOST
appropriate immediate responsibility?
A. Ignore the statement unless another resident confirms it
B. Report the allegation immediately according to facility policy
C. Discuss the issue with coworkers before informing the nurse
D. Wait until the next staff meeting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Any suspicion or allegation of abuse must be reported immediately following
facility procedures.
Question 5
During mealtime assistance, a resident suddenly begins coughing forcefully after taking
a bite of food but is still able to speak. What should the nurse aide do FIRST?
A. Encourage the resident to continue coughing
B. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
C. Give water to wash down the food
D. Lay the resident flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A resident who can cough and speak has a partial airway obstruction and
should be encouraged to continue coughing.
, Question 6
Which action by the nurse aide best demonstrates respect for a resident's right to
privacy while providing assistance with bathing in a semi-private room?
A. Leaving the curtain open for observation
B. Closing curtains and exposing only the area being washed
C. Completing the bath as quickly as possible
D. Asking another resident to help
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Protecting privacy by closing curtains and limiting exposure preserves dignity.
Question 7
When measuring a resident's blood pressure manually, why is selecting the correct cuff
size especially important for obtaining an accurate reading during routine vital sign
assessment?
A. It prevents hearing loss
B. It affects the accuracy of the blood pressure reading
C. It reduces body temperature
D. It improves pulse rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Incorrect cuff size produces inaccurate blood pressure measurements.
Question 8
A resident with diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and dizzy shortly before lunch
while remaining awake and able to swallow safely. What should the nurse aide do
FIRST?
A. Report symptoms immediately to the nurse
B. Encourage vigorous exercise
