1
PROMETRIC CNA PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING – Questions 1–15
Q1: Patient Care – Hand Hygiene
When should a nursing assistant use an alcohol-based hand rub instead of soap and water?
A. When hands are visibly soiled
B. When hands are not visibly soiled and no spores are suspected
C. After using the restroom
D. Before eating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective when hands are not visibly soiled. Soap and water
must be used when hands are visibly dirty, after restroom use, and when caring for patients with C.
difficile because alcohol does not kill spores. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Patient Care – Bedpan
How should a nursing assistant assist a patient onto a bedpan?
A. Raise the head of the bed and ask the patient to lift their hips
B. Roll the patient onto their side, place the bedpan against the buttocks, then roll them back
C. Place the bedpan under the patient while they are standing
D. Ask the patient to sit on the edge of the bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique is to roll the patient onto their side, place the bedpan firmly
against the buttocks, then roll the patient back onto the pan. This prevents spills and skin injury.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Patient Care – Oral Care
What should a nursing assistant use to provide oral care to an unconscious patient?
A. A toothbrush and toothpaste
B. A small amount of water and a suction toothbrush or swabs
C. Mouthwash only
D. A washcloth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unconscious patients cannot swallow, so oral care must be provided with minimal water
and suction equipment to prevent aspiration. Use a suction toothbrush or oral swabs. [100%
CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Patient Care – Dressing
When undressing a patient with weakness on one side, which side should be undressed first?
A. The weak side
B. The strong side
C. Either side
D. Only the weak side
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When undressing, remove clothing from the strong side first, then the weak side. When
dressing, dress the weak side first. This promotes independence and prevents injury. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Patient Care – Ambulation
What should a nursing assistant do if a patient becomes dizzy while walking?
A. Lower the patient to the floor or a chair safely and notify the nurse
B. Continue walking
C. Leave the patient standing alone
D. Give the patient water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient becomes dizzy, lower them safely to the floor or a chair to prevent a fall. Do
not continue walking. Notify the nurse immediately. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Patient Care – Transfer
What is a pivot transfer?
A. Moving a patient from bed to chair by pivoting on the patient's strong leg
B. Lifting the patient with a mechanical lift
C. Sliding the patient on a sheet
D. Asking the patient to walk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pivot transfer involves the patient bearing some weight on their strong leg while
pivoting from bed to chair. It is used for patients who can assist with the transfer. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Patient Care – Range of Motion
How often should range-of-motion exercises be performed for an immobile patient?
A. Once a day
B. At least twice a day
C. Once a week
D. Only when the patient requests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Range-of-motion exercises should be performed at least twice a day to maintain joint
flexibility, prevent contractures, and promote circulation. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Patient Care – Positioning
What is the lateral position?
A. Lying on the back
, 3
B. Lying on the side
C. Lying on the stomach
D. Sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The lateral position is a side-lying position. It is used to relieve pressure on the back and
promote drainage. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Patient Care – Bed Making
What is an occupied bed?
A. A bed made while the patient is in it
B. A bed made after the patient leaves
C. A bed with no linens
D. A bed for a deceased patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An occupied bed is made while the patient remains in bed. The CNA should ensure
privacy, use good body mechanics, and keep the patient safe. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Patient Care – Feeding
What should a nursing assistant do if a patient coughs or chokes during feeding?
A. Stop feeding immediately and notify the nurse
B. Continue feeding slowly
C. Give the patient more liquid
D. Lay the patient flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coughing or choking during feeding may indicate aspiration. Stop feeding immediately,
keep the patient upright, and notify the nurse. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Patient Care – Fluid Intake
How should ice chips be recorded on an intake and output record?
A. As the full volume of ice
B. As half the volume of ice
C. As no fluid
D. As double the volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ice chips are recorded as approximately half their volume because they melt into a
smaller amount of water. For example, 100 mL of ice chips is recorded as 50 mL of fluid. [100%
CORRECT]
Q12: Patient Care – Output
How should urine in a bedpan be measured?
A. Estimate the amount
B. Pour into a graduated cylinder and read at eye level
C. Weigh the bedpan
D. Ask the patient
PROMETRIC CNA PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 |
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT | 75 VERIFIED
Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING – Questions 1–15
Q1: Patient Care – Hand Hygiene
When should a nursing assistant use an alcohol-based hand rub instead of soap and water?
A. When hands are visibly soiled
B. When hands are not visibly soiled and no spores are suspected
C. After using the restroom
D. Before eating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective when hands are not visibly soiled. Soap and water
must be used when hands are visibly dirty, after restroom use, and when caring for patients with C.
difficile because alcohol does not kill spores. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Patient Care – Bedpan
How should a nursing assistant assist a patient onto a bedpan?
A. Raise the head of the bed and ask the patient to lift their hips
B. Roll the patient onto their side, place the bedpan against the buttocks, then roll them back
C. Place the bedpan under the patient while they are standing
D. Ask the patient to sit on the edge of the bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique is to roll the patient onto their side, place the bedpan firmly
against the buttocks, then roll the patient back onto the pan. This prevents spills and skin injury.
[100% CORRECT]
Q3: Patient Care – Oral Care
What should a nursing assistant use to provide oral care to an unconscious patient?
A. A toothbrush and toothpaste
B. A small amount of water and a suction toothbrush or swabs
C. Mouthwash only
D. A washcloth
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Unconscious patients cannot swallow, so oral care must be provided with minimal water
and suction equipment to prevent aspiration. Use a suction toothbrush or oral swabs. [100%
CORRECT]
,2
Q4: Patient Care – Dressing
When undressing a patient with weakness on one side, which side should be undressed first?
A. The weak side
B. The strong side
C. Either side
D. Only the weak side
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When undressing, remove clothing from the strong side first, then the weak side. When
dressing, dress the weak side first. This promotes independence and prevents injury. [100%
CORRECT]
Q5: Patient Care – Ambulation
What should a nursing assistant do if a patient becomes dizzy while walking?
A. Lower the patient to the floor or a chair safely and notify the nurse
B. Continue walking
C. Leave the patient standing alone
D. Give the patient water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient becomes dizzy, lower them safely to the floor or a chair to prevent a fall. Do
not continue walking. Notify the nurse immediately. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Patient Care – Transfer
What is a pivot transfer?
A. Moving a patient from bed to chair by pivoting on the patient's strong leg
B. Lifting the patient with a mechanical lift
C. Sliding the patient on a sheet
D. Asking the patient to walk
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A pivot transfer involves the patient bearing some weight on their strong leg while
pivoting from bed to chair. It is used for patients who can assist with the transfer. [100% CORRECT]
Q7: Patient Care – Range of Motion
How often should range-of-motion exercises be performed for an immobile patient?
A. Once a day
B. At least twice a day
C. Once a week
D. Only when the patient requests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Range-of-motion exercises should be performed at least twice a day to maintain joint
flexibility, prevent contractures, and promote circulation. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Patient Care – Positioning
What is the lateral position?
A. Lying on the back
, 3
B. Lying on the side
C. Lying on the stomach
D. Sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The lateral position is a side-lying position. It is used to relieve pressure on the back and
promote drainage. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Patient Care – Bed Making
What is an occupied bed?
A. A bed made while the patient is in it
B. A bed made after the patient leaves
C. A bed with no linens
D. A bed for a deceased patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An occupied bed is made while the patient remains in bed. The CNA should ensure
privacy, use good body mechanics, and keep the patient safe. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Patient Care – Feeding
What should a nursing assistant do if a patient coughs or chokes during feeding?
A. Stop feeding immediately and notify the nurse
B. Continue feeding slowly
C. Give the patient more liquid
D. Lay the patient flat
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Coughing or choking during feeding may indicate aspiration. Stop feeding immediately,
keep the patient upright, and notify the nurse. [100% CORRECT]
Q11: Patient Care – Fluid Intake
How should ice chips be recorded on an intake and output record?
A. As the full volume of ice
B. As half the volume of ice
C. As no fluid
D. As double the volume
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ice chips are recorded as approximately half their volume because they melt into a
smaller amount of water. For example, 100 mL of ice chips is recorded as 50 mL of fluid. [100%
CORRECT]
Q12: Patient Care – Output
How should urine in a bedpan be measured?
A. Estimate the amount
B. Pour into a graduated cylinder and read at eye level
C. Weigh the bedpan
D. Ask the patient
