Virginia Certified Nurse Aide
Competency Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
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1. The Virginia Certified Nurse Aide Competency Examination is primarily
designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to safely perform basic
nursing assistant duties in accordance with state-approved standards.
Which of the following best describes the structure of this
examination?
A. A single written exam consisting of essay questions on nursing theory
B. A skills-only evaluation without a written component
C. A computerized adaptive test covering advanced pharmacology and
diagnosis
D. A written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation
The correct answer is D because the Virginia CNA competency examination
,includes both a written or oral knowledge component and a practical skills
evaluation that must both be passed for certification.
2. A candidate preparing for the Virginia CNA examination is reviewing
the knowledge test format. Which of the following accurately
describes the written portion of the exam?
A. 25 essay questions with clinical case analysis
B. 100 multiple-choice questions only
C. 70 multiple-choice questions, with some candidates offered an oral
alternative
D. 50 short-answer questions and 20 fill-in-the-blank items
The correct answer is C because the written examination typically consists
of 70 multiple-choice questions, and candidates who need assistance with
reading may take an oral version instead.
3. During the skills evaluation portion of the CNA exam, what is the
standard number of skills a candidate is required to perform?
A. Three randomly selected nursing tasks
B. Ten core clinical procedures
C. A full patient care simulation lasting one hour
D. Five randomly selected nurse aide skills including at least one
measurement skill
The correct answer is D because candidates are assessed on five randomly
,selected skills, and one of these typically involves a measurement such as
blood pressure or pulse.
4. Which of the following is always included in the CNA skills examination
regardless of other selected tasks?
A. Medication administration
B. Sterile dressing change
C. Intravenous therapy setup
D. Hand hygiene (handwashing procedure)
The correct answer is D because proper handwashing is a fundamental skill
that is always evaluated to ensure infection control competence.
5. A student asks why passing both parts of the CNA exam is required for
certification. What is the best explanation?
A. The written test alone determines eligibility for employment
B. The skills test is optional for experienced nurses
C. Only the skills test is required for registry placement
D. Both knowledge and practical competence must be demonstrated for
certification
The correct answer is D because certification requires successful completion
of both theoretical knowledge and practical skill evaluation to ensure safe
patient care.
6. Which organization is commonly responsible for administering the
Virginia CNA competency exam?
, A. American Nurses Association
B. Joint Commission on Healthcare
C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
D. A contracted testing service such as Credentia
The correct answer is D because Virginia contracts testing administration
to a vendor such as Credentia for scheduling and exam delivery.
7. A candidate taking the oral CNA examination instead of the written
version would most likely do so for which reason?
A. To avoid the skills portion entirely
B. To replace clinical testing with simulation software
C. To increase the difficulty of the examination
D. To accommodate difficulty reading English while still testing knowledge
The correct answer is D because the oral exam is offered to candidates who
have difficulty reading English, while still assessing the same knowledge
content.
8. What is the primary purpose of the CNA skills evaluation?
A. To test theoretical understanding of disease processes
B. To assess knowledge of pharmacology calculations
C. To evaluate leadership in clinical settings
D. To demonstrate safe performance of essential patient care tasks
The correct answer is D because the skills evaluation focuses on safe,
hands-on performance of basic nursing assistant duties.
Competency Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. The Virginia Certified Nurse Aide Competency Examination is primarily
designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability to safely perform basic
nursing assistant duties in accordance with state-approved standards.
Which of the following best describes the structure of this
examination?
A. A single written exam consisting of essay questions on nursing theory
B. A skills-only evaluation without a written component
C. A computerized adaptive test covering advanced pharmacology and
diagnosis
D. A written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation
The correct answer is D because the Virginia CNA competency examination
,includes both a written or oral knowledge component and a practical skills
evaluation that must both be passed for certification.
2. A candidate preparing for the Virginia CNA examination is reviewing
the knowledge test format. Which of the following accurately
describes the written portion of the exam?
A. 25 essay questions with clinical case analysis
B. 100 multiple-choice questions only
C. 70 multiple-choice questions, with some candidates offered an oral
alternative
D. 50 short-answer questions and 20 fill-in-the-blank items
The correct answer is C because the written examination typically consists
of 70 multiple-choice questions, and candidates who need assistance with
reading may take an oral version instead.
3. During the skills evaluation portion of the CNA exam, what is the
standard number of skills a candidate is required to perform?
A. Three randomly selected nursing tasks
B. Ten core clinical procedures
C. A full patient care simulation lasting one hour
D. Five randomly selected nurse aide skills including at least one
measurement skill
The correct answer is D because candidates are assessed on five randomly
,selected skills, and one of these typically involves a measurement such as
blood pressure or pulse.
4. Which of the following is always included in the CNA skills examination
regardless of other selected tasks?
A. Medication administration
B. Sterile dressing change
C. Intravenous therapy setup
D. Hand hygiene (handwashing procedure)
The correct answer is D because proper handwashing is a fundamental skill
that is always evaluated to ensure infection control competence.
5. A student asks why passing both parts of the CNA exam is required for
certification. What is the best explanation?
A. The written test alone determines eligibility for employment
B. The skills test is optional for experienced nurses
C. Only the skills test is required for registry placement
D. Both knowledge and practical competence must be demonstrated for
certification
The correct answer is D because certification requires successful completion
of both theoretical knowledge and practical skill evaluation to ensure safe
patient care.
6. Which organization is commonly responsible for administering the
Virginia CNA competency exam?
, A. American Nurses Association
B. Joint Commission on Healthcare
C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
D. A contracted testing service such as Credentia
The correct answer is D because Virginia contracts testing administration
to a vendor such as Credentia for scheduling and exam delivery.
7. A candidate taking the oral CNA examination instead of the written
version would most likely do so for which reason?
A. To avoid the skills portion entirely
B. To replace clinical testing with simulation software
C. To increase the difficulty of the examination
D. To accommodate difficulty reading English while still testing knowledge
The correct answer is D because the oral exam is offered to candidates who
have difficulty reading English, while still assessing the same knowledge
content.
8. What is the primary purpose of the CNA skills evaluation?
A. To test theoretical understanding of disease processes
B. To assess knowledge of pharmacology calculations
C. To evaluate leadership in clinical settings
D. To demonstrate safe performance of essential patient care tasks
The correct answer is D because the skills evaluation focuses on safe,
hands-on performance of basic nursing assistant duties.
