@Hooded-Tutor ILLINOIS CNA
STATE EXAM 2026
| 150+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS &
RATIONALES |
COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE
, ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM
Practice Test · 2026 Edition · 150+ Questions with Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exam Information
Role of the CNA
Communication & Observation
Safety & Infection Control
Activities of Daily Living
Vital Signs & Measurements
Special Care & Procedures
Mental Health & Dementia Care
Resident Rights & Ethics
Conclusion & Study Tips
EXAM INFORMATION
Exam: Illinois CNA State Exam (INACE - Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam)
Administered by: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on behalf of the Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) [citation:5]
Format: 85 scored questions (written/computer-based) + clinical skills evaluation [citation:5]
Time Limit: 90 minutes for written portion
Fee: $85 (covers both written and clinical components) [citation:5]
Training Requirement: Completion of IDPH-approved BNATP of at least 120 hours (80 classroom + 40
clinical) under Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Part 395 [citation:5]
Content Outline: Physical Care Skills (39%), Psychosocial Care Skills (30%), Role of the Nurse Aide
(16%), Promoting Resident Rights (15%) [citation:5]
ROLE OF THE CNA
1. The nurse asks you to ambulate a resident BID during your shift. This means you will ambulate the
resident times.
A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BID stands for "bis in die" (twice daily) in medical abbreviations. BID = twice a day, TID = three
times a day, QID = four times a day [citation:6][citation:11].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 1
,2. When a patient is dying, which of the five senses is the last to be lost?
A. Hearing
B. Touch
C. Taste
D. Sight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hearing is believed to be the last sense to fade when a patient is dying. Even when unresponsive, the
patient may still be able to hear. CNAs should continue to speak calmly and reassuringly to the dying resident
[citation:1][citation:9][citation:11].
3. You walk into a room and see a trash can on fire. What is the first thing you should do?
A. Call for help
B. Remove/protect the residents
C. Try to extinguish the fire
D. Pull the fire alarm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RACE is the fire safety protocol: R = Remove residents, A = Alarm, C = Confine/close doors, E =
Evacuate. The first priority is to protect residents from harm [citation:6].
4. A doctor gives an order for a new treatment before leaving. What should the CNA do?
A. Document the order in the chart
B. Implement the treatment immediately
C. Notify the nurse
D. Write the order in the nurse's notes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs are not authorized to take verbal orders from physicians. All new orders must be
communicated to the licensed nurse, who is responsible for implementation and documentation [citation:10].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 2
, COMMUNICATION & OBSERVATION
5. Sometimes the best response for a nursing assistant is to assure the resident you are listening. Which
behavior is the best way to exhibit good listening skills?
A. Speaking about your own experiences on the topic
B. Asking questions that direct the conversation further
C. Talking to the resident while you continue to work
D. Turning in the resident's direction and responding when appropriate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active listening involves facing the resident, maintaining eye contact, and responding appropriately.
It shows the resident you are engaged and value their communication [citation:11].
6. A resident in your care is frustrated, upset, and raising his voice in complaint. Which is the best
response?
A. Report the incident to the supervising nurse
B. Walk away to show you won't tolerate the behavior
C. Offer support and care using a comforting, calming manner
D. Ask the resident to lower his voice in courtesy to others
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best response to an upset resident is to remain calm, offer support, and use a comforting
demeanor. This helps de-escalate the situation and validates the resident's feelings [citation:1][citation:11].
7. A resident who is completely deaf is being admitted. What is the most important communication tool?
A. A laptop or pen and paper
B. A loud voice that projects over noise
C. An alarm that rings louder than usual
D. A phone system with amplifiers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Writing is an effective communication method for residents who are completely deaf. The CNA
should face the resident, speak clearly if they can read lips, and use written materials [citation:1][citation:9].
8. A resident has just received news of a death in the family. What is the best way to assist them with the
grieving process?
A. Tell the resident about your own experience with death
B. Remind the resident that death is inevitable
C. Spend time with the resident, offering support if they wish to talk
D. Suggest the resident get their mind off things
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best support during grief is to be present and offer a listening ear. Allowing the resident to
express feelings when ready is therapeutic. Avoid giving advice or minimizing their loss [citation:1][citation:9].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 3
STATE EXAM 2026
| 150+ PRACTICE
QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS &
RATIONALES |
COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE
, ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM
Practice Test · 2026 Edition · 150+ Questions with Answers & Rationales
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exam Information
Role of the CNA
Communication & Observation
Safety & Infection Control
Activities of Daily Living
Vital Signs & Measurements
Special Care & Procedures
Mental Health & Dementia Care
Resident Rights & Ethics
Conclusion & Study Tips
EXAM INFORMATION
Exam: Illinois CNA State Exam (INACE - Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam)
Administered by: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on behalf of the Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) [citation:5]
Format: 85 scored questions (written/computer-based) + clinical skills evaluation [citation:5]
Time Limit: 90 minutes for written portion
Fee: $85 (covers both written and clinical components) [citation:5]
Training Requirement: Completion of IDPH-approved BNATP of at least 120 hours (80 classroom + 40
clinical) under Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Part 395 [citation:5]
Content Outline: Physical Care Skills (39%), Psychosocial Care Skills (30%), Role of the Nurse Aide
(16%), Promoting Resident Rights (15%) [citation:5]
ROLE OF THE CNA
1. The nurse asks you to ambulate a resident BID during your shift. This means you will ambulate the
resident times.
A. Four
B. Three
C. Two
D. One
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: BID stands for "bis in die" (twice daily) in medical abbreviations. BID = twice a day, TID = three
times a day, QID = four times a day [citation:6][citation:11].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 1
,2. When a patient is dying, which of the five senses is the last to be lost?
A. Hearing
B. Touch
C. Taste
D. Sight
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hearing is believed to be the last sense to fade when a patient is dying. Even when unresponsive, the
patient may still be able to hear. CNAs should continue to speak calmly and reassuringly to the dying resident
[citation:1][citation:9][citation:11].
3. You walk into a room and see a trash can on fire. What is the first thing you should do?
A. Call for help
B. Remove/protect the residents
C. Try to extinguish the fire
D. Pull the fire alarm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RACE is the fire safety protocol: R = Remove residents, A = Alarm, C = Confine/close doors, E =
Evacuate. The first priority is to protect residents from harm [citation:6].
4. A doctor gives an order for a new treatment before leaving. What should the CNA do?
A. Document the order in the chart
B. Implement the treatment immediately
C. Notify the nurse
D. Write the order in the nurse's notes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CNAs are not authorized to take verbal orders from physicians. All new orders must be
communicated to the licensed nurse, who is responsible for implementation and documentation [citation:10].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 2
, COMMUNICATION & OBSERVATION
5. Sometimes the best response for a nursing assistant is to assure the resident you are listening. Which
behavior is the best way to exhibit good listening skills?
A. Speaking about your own experiences on the topic
B. Asking questions that direct the conversation further
C. Talking to the resident while you continue to work
D. Turning in the resident's direction and responding when appropriate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active listening involves facing the resident, maintaining eye contact, and responding appropriately.
It shows the resident you are engaged and value their communication [citation:11].
6. A resident in your care is frustrated, upset, and raising his voice in complaint. Which is the best
response?
A. Report the incident to the supervising nurse
B. Walk away to show you won't tolerate the behavior
C. Offer support and care using a comforting, calming manner
D. Ask the resident to lower his voice in courtesy to others
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best response to an upset resident is to remain calm, offer support, and use a comforting
demeanor. This helps de-escalate the situation and validates the resident's feelings [citation:1][citation:11].
7. A resident who is completely deaf is being admitted. What is the most important communication tool?
A. A laptop or pen and paper
B. A loud voice that projects over noise
C. An alarm that rings louder than usual
D. A phone system with amplifiers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Writing is an effective communication method for residents who are completely deaf. The CNA
should face the resident, speak clearly if they can read lips, and use written materials [citation:1][citation:9].
8. A resident has just received news of a death in the family. What is the best way to assist them with the
grieving process?
A. Tell the resident about your own experience with death
B. Remind the resident that death is inevitable
C. Spend time with the resident, offering support if they wish to talk
D. Suggest the resident get their mind off things
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best support during grief is to be present and offer a listening ear. Allowing the resident to
express feelings when ready is therapeutic. Avoid giving advice or minimizing their loss [citation:1][citation:9].
ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM 3
