ILLINOIS CNA STATE EXAM:
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RATIONALES
Section 1: Role of the Nurse Aide (DA1 – Communicating
Information)
1. The nurse asks you to ambulate a resident BID during your shift. This means you
will ambulate the resident how many 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 .
2. 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 .
3. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. Patient feels tired
B. Blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
C. Patient reports pain
D. Patient feels dizzy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are measurable and observable. A blood pressure reading is
objective. Patient reports of feelings are subjective data .
4. What is the purpose of a care plan?
A. Diagnose illness
B. Guide individualized patient care
C. Replace physician orders
D. Document daily activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The care plan guides individualized patient care based on the resident's
specific needs and conditions .
5. When should a nurse aide perform hand hygiene?
A. Only after patient contact
B. Only before meals
, C. Before and after each patient contact
D. At the end of the shift
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after contact prevents infection transmission. This
is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection between residents .
6. A resident tells the nurse aide, "My son hits me when he visits." What is the
BEST response?
A. "You should not say things like that about your son."
B. "What did you do to make him angry?"
C. "I believe you. I will report what you told me."
D. "I will keep this secret."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suspected abuse must be reported according to required procedures. The
aide should listen calmly, avoid blaming the resident, and never promise secrecy .
7. Which action by a nurse aide is a violation of a resident's privacy?
A. Closing the resident's door during personal care
B. Covering the resident during bathing
C. Discussing the resident's condition with a friend outside the facility
D. Knocking before entering the resident's room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Resident information is confidential and should only be shared with
authorized individuals for legitimate care purposes. HIPAA protects patient health
information .
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH RATIONALES
Section 1: Role of the Nurse Aide (DA1 – Communicating
Information)
1. The nurse asks you to ambulate a resident BID during your shift. This means you
will ambulate the resident how many 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 .
2. 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 .
3. Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. Patient feels tired
B. Blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg
C. Patient reports pain
D. Patient feels dizzy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are measurable and observable. A blood pressure reading is
objective. Patient reports of feelings are subjective data .
4. What is the purpose of a care plan?
A. Diagnose illness
B. Guide individualized patient care
C. Replace physician orders
D. Document daily activities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The care plan guides individualized patient care based on the resident's
specific needs and conditions .
5. When should a nurse aide perform hand hygiene?
A. Only after patient contact
B. Only before meals
, C. Before and after each patient contact
D. At the end of the shift
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after contact prevents infection transmission. This
is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection between residents .
6. A resident tells the nurse aide, "My son hits me when he visits." What is the
BEST response?
A. "You should not say things like that about your son."
B. "What did you do to make him angry?"
C. "I believe you. I will report what you told me."
D. "I will keep this secret."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Suspected abuse must be reported according to required procedures. The
aide should listen calmly, avoid blaming the resident, and never promise secrecy .
7. Which action by a nurse aide is a violation of a resident's privacy?
A. Closing the resident's door during personal care
B. Covering the resident during bathing
C. Discussing the resident's condition with a friend outside the facility
D. Knocking before entering the resident's room
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Resident information is confidential and should only be shared with
authorized individuals for legitimate care purposes. HIPAA protects patient health
information .
