NEW YORK ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (ADL) SKILLS PRACTICE EXAM | STUDY
GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Person-Centered ADL Assistance and Resident Independence — Questions 1–5
II. Bathing, Grooming, Oral Care, and Personal Hygiene — Questions 6–10
III. Dressing, Toileting, Continence, and Elimination Assistance — Questions 11–15
IV. Feeding, Hydration, Positioning, Mobility, and Transfer Skills — Questions 16–20
V. Safety, Infection Prevention, Skin Integrity, and Complications — Questions 21–25
VI. Documentation, Communication, Ethics, Professional Boundaries, and Integrated
ADL Decision-Making — Questions 26–30
INTRODUCTION
This practice examination focuses on advanced Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills
relevant to New York nursing-home and personal-care settings. The content
emphasizes person-centered assistance, resident independence, hygiene, bathing,
grooming, dressing, toileting, continence care, nutrition, hydration, mobility,
transfers, positioning, safety, infection prevention, skin protection, documentation,
communication, and professional judgment. New York’s approved nurse aide
curriculum specifically includes personal care skills, basic nursing skills, restorative
services, resident rights, and care of cognitively impaired residents. Current New
York requirements also emphasize competency evaluation and supervised practical
training. Questions are intentionally scenario-based and require application rather
than simple memorization.
Question 1
A resident with mild hemiparesis can independently wash the left side of the body
but requires assistance washing the right side. During morning hygiene, the
resident says, “Just do everything for me because it will be faster.” Which action
best demonstrates person-centered ADL care?
A. Complete the entire bath independently to conserve time and prevent fatigue.
B. Encourage the resident to perform the portions that remain safely within their
ability while assisting only where needed.
,C. Require the resident to complete the entire bath independently to promote
maximum independence.
D. Ask another aide to complete the bath while the resident rests.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Person-centered care promotes the resident’s remaining abilities
while providing assistance for tasks that cannot be performed safely or
independently.
Question 2
A resident who normally dresses independently has recently begun requiring
substantially more assistance. The resident is alert but says, “My legs feel unusually
weak today.” What is the nurse aide's best initial response?
A. Encourage the resident to dress independently because independence should
always be prioritized.
B. Document the change only if the resident falls.
C. Recognize the change as potentially significant, provide appropriate immediate
assistance, and report the change to the nurse.
D. Tell the resident that weakness is expected with aging.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A new functional decline may indicate an acute change in condition.
The aide should maintain safety, assist appropriately, and promptly report the
observation.
Question 3
During a shower, a resident with cognitive impairment repeatedly attempts to stand
without assistance despite having an established transfer precaution. Which
approach is most appropriate?
A. Restrain the resident temporarily so the shower can be completed safely.
B. Ignore the behavior because the resident may become more agitated if
corrected.
C. Use calm communication, redirect the resident, maintain the required safety
measures, and seek assistance according to the care plan.
,D. Tell the resident that standing is prohibited and leave the bathroom until the
resident agrees.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The aide should use therapeutic communication and established
safety interventions while avoiding unnecessary restraint or abandonment.
Question 4
A resident with limited shoulder mobility is able to select clothing independently
but has difficulty putting on a shirt. Which intervention best promotes
independence?
A. Choose the clothing and dress the resident completely.
B. Allow the resident to choose clothing and provide targeted assistance with the
difficult movements.
C. Tell the resident that dressing independently is unsafe.
D. Ask the resident's family to dress the resident each morning.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADL assistance should be individualized. Preserving choices and
abilities while providing targeted assistance supports autonomy and functional
independence.
Question 5
An aide notices that a resident who usually requires only standby assistance now
needs substantial physical assistance to transfer from bed to chair. The care plan
has not yet been updated. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Use the same transfer technique because the written care plan has not changed.
B. Attempt the transfer alone because delaying the transfer may inconvenience the
resident.
C. Follow current safety instructions, obtain appropriate assistance, and report the
functional change to the nurse.
D. Refuse to assist with any transfer until a physician evaluates the resident.
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A significant change in functional status must not be ignored simply
because the written plan has not yet been revised. Safety and prompt
communication are essential.
Question 6
While assisting a resident with a bed bath, the aide observes a new reddened area
over the sacral region that does not appear to be present in previous observations.
What should the aide do?
A. Massage the area vigorously to increase circulation.
B. Apply lotion and continue the bath without reporting it.
C. Report the observation promptly and avoid actions that could further traumatize
the area.
D. Cover the area with a tight dressing without notifying anyone.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: New skin changes may indicate developing pressure-related injury
or another condition requiring assessment. The aide should report rather than
independently diagnose or treat.
Question 7
A resident receiving oral care has dentures that become loose during cleaning.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Continue brushing aggressively so the dentures remain clean.
B. Remove and handle the dentures according to facility procedure and report any
apparent fit or oral concerns.
C. Use hot water to disinfect the dentures immediately.
D. Place the dentures in a tissue on the bedside table.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dentures should be handled carefully according to established
procedures. Poor fit, oral injury, or other abnormalities should be communicated
to the appropriate licensed professional.
GUIDE | TESTBANK | PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Person-Centered ADL Assistance and Resident Independence — Questions 1–5
II. Bathing, Grooming, Oral Care, and Personal Hygiene — Questions 6–10
III. Dressing, Toileting, Continence, and Elimination Assistance — Questions 11–15
IV. Feeding, Hydration, Positioning, Mobility, and Transfer Skills — Questions 16–20
V. Safety, Infection Prevention, Skin Integrity, and Complications — Questions 21–25
VI. Documentation, Communication, Ethics, Professional Boundaries, and Integrated
ADL Decision-Making — Questions 26–30
INTRODUCTION
This practice examination focuses on advanced Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills
relevant to New York nursing-home and personal-care settings. The content
emphasizes person-centered assistance, resident independence, hygiene, bathing,
grooming, dressing, toileting, continence care, nutrition, hydration, mobility,
transfers, positioning, safety, infection prevention, skin protection, documentation,
communication, and professional judgment. New York’s approved nurse aide
curriculum specifically includes personal care skills, basic nursing skills, restorative
services, resident rights, and care of cognitively impaired residents. Current New
York requirements also emphasize competency evaluation and supervised practical
training. Questions are intentionally scenario-based and require application rather
than simple memorization.
Question 1
A resident with mild hemiparesis can independently wash the left side of the body
but requires assistance washing the right side. During morning hygiene, the
resident says, “Just do everything for me because it will be faster.” Which action
best demonstrates person-centered ADL care?
A. Complete the entire bath independently to conserve time and prevent fatigue.
B. Encourage the resident to perform the portions that remain safely within their
ability while assisting only where needed.
,C. Require the resident to complete the entire bath independently to promote
maximum independence.
D. Ask another aide to complete the bath while the resident rests.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Person-centered care promotes the resident’s remaining abilities
while providing assistance for tasks that cannot be performed safely or
independently.
Question 2
A resident who normally dresses independently has recently begun requiring
substantially more assistance. The resident is alert but says, “My legs feel unusually
weak today.” What is the nurse aide's best initial response?
A. Encourage the resident to dress independently because independence should
always be prioritized.
B. Document the change only if the resident falls.
C. Recognize the change as potentially significant, provide appropriate immediate
assistance, and report the change to the nurse.
D. Tell the resident that weakness is expected with aging.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A new functional decline may indicate an acute change in condition.
The aide should maintain safety, assist appropriately, and promptly report the
observation.
Question 3
During a shower, a resident with cognitive impairment repeatedly attempts to stand
without assistance despite having an established transfer precaution. Which
approach is most appropriate?
A. Restrain the resident temporarily so the shower can be completed safely.
B. Ignore the behavior because the resident may become more agitated if
corrected.
C. Use calm communication, redirect the resident, maintain the required safety
measures, and seek assistance according to the care plan.
,D. Tell the resident that standing is prohibited and leave the bathroom until the
resident agrees.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The aide should use therapeutic communication and established
safety interventions while avoiding unnecessary restraint or abandonment.
Question 4
A resident with limited shoulder mobility is able to select clothing independently
but has difficulty putting on a shirt. Which intervention best promotes
independence?
A. Choose the clothing and dress the resident completely.
B. Allow the resident to choose clothing and provide targeted assistance with the
difficult movements.
C. Tell the resident that dressing independently is unsafe.
D. Ask the resident's family to dress the resident each morning.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ADL assistance should be individualized. Preserving choices and
abilities while providing targeted assistance supports autonomy and functional
independence.
Question 5
An aide notices that a resident who usually requires only standby assistance now
needs substantial physical assistance to transfer from bed to chair. The care plan
has not yet been updated. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Use the same transfer technique because the written care plan has not changed.
B. Attempt the transfer alone because delaying the transfer may inconvenience the
resident.
C. Follow current safety instructions, obtain appropriate assistance, and report the
functional change to the nurse.
D. Refuse to assist with any transfer until a physician evaluates the resident.
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A significant change in functional status must not be ignored simply
because the written plan has not yet been revised. Safety and prompt
communication are essential.
Question 6
While assisting a resident with a bed bath, the aide observes a new reddened area
over the sacral region that does not appear to be present in previous observations.
What should the aide do?
A. Massage the area vigorously to increase circulation.
B. Apply lotion and continue the bath without reporting it.
C. Report the observation promptly and avoid actions that could further traumatize
the area.
D. Cover the area with a tight dressing without notifying anyone.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: New skin changes may indicate developing pressure-related injury
or another condition requiring assessment. The aide should report rather than
independently diagnose or treat.
Question 7
A resident receiving oral care has dentures that become loose during cleaning.
Which action is most appropriate?
A. Continue brushing aggressively so the dentures remain clean.
B. Remove and handle the dentures according to facility procedure and report any
apparent fit or oral concerns.
C. Use hot water to disinfect the dentures immediately.
D. Place the dentures in a tissue on the bedside table.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dentures should be handled carefully according to established
procedures. Poor fit, oral injury, or other abnormalities should be communicated
to the appropriate licensed professional.
