NURSE AIDE COMPETENCY EVALUATION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS CORRECT RATIONALE IN ITALICS
1. Which of the following actions best promotes a patient’s dignity during personal care?
A. Completing care as quickly as possible
B. Keeping the patient covered as much as possible
C. Talking with other staff while providing care
D. Leaving the door open for ventilation
Correct answer: B. Keeping the patient covered as much as possible maintains privacy and
dignity during care.
2. When a resident begins to fall, the nurse aide should:
A. Try to hold the resident up completely
B. Gently lower the resident to the floor
C. Call for help immediately without touching the resident
D. Step aside to avoid injury
Correct answer: B. Lowering the resident to the floor prevents injury to both the resident and the
aide.
3. Which of the following should be reported to the nurse immediately?
A. Resident refuses to eat dessert
B. Resident’s skin feels warm and dry
C. Resident has new bruises on the arm
D. Resident complains of being bored
Correct answer: C. New bruises may indicate injury or abuse and must be reported promptly.
4. The most important way to prevent the spread of infection is:
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Using isolation for all residents
C. Washing hands before and after care
D. Avoiding touching residents unnecessarily
Correct answer: C. Handwashing is the single most effective infection control method.
5. Which of the following is an example of neglect?
A. Not assisting a resident to the bathroom on time
B. Giving medication without permission
,C. Taking money from a resident
D. Making fun of a resident
Correct answer: A. Failing to meet basic needs, such as toileting, is neglect.
6. When communicating with a hearing-impaired resident, the aide should:
A. Speak loudly directly into the ear
B. Speak slowly and clearly, facing the resident
C. Use gestures only
D. Repeat the same words loudly
Correct answer: B. Facing the resident and speaking clearly improves understanding.
7. When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should:
A. Ask the resident to stand up
B. Keep side rails down for easier access
C. Raise side rails on the opposite side for safety
D. Change all linens at once
Correct answer: C. Raising side rails on the far side prevents the resident from falling.
8. A resident is angry and shouting. The best response is to:
A. Leave the room immediately
B. Tell the resident to calm down
C. Listen and show understanding
D. Call the nurse right away
Correct answer: C. Listening and acknowledging feelings helps de-escalate anger.
9. Which action helps prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Keeping bed linens tight
B. Repositioning the resident every two hours
C. Using plastic sheets
D. Encouraging the resident to stay in bed
Correct answer: B. Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and maintains circulation.
10. The nurse aide should wear gloves when:
A. Feeding a resident
B. Transferring a resident from bed to chair
C. Providing mouth care
, D. Taking oral temperature
Correct answer: C. Gloves protect against contact with saliva and other body fluids.
11. When assisting a resident with eating, the nurse aide should:
A. Feed quickly to avoid spills
B. Allow the resident to do as much as possible
C. Mix all food together for convenience
D. Stand while feeding the resident
Correct answer: B. Encouraging independence promotes dignity and self-esteem.
12. What is the correct procedure for measuring a resident’s radial pulse?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two
C. Count for a full minute
D. Estimate by feeling briefly
Correct answer: C. Counting for one full minute ensures accuracy.
13. A resident with Alzheimer’s disease keeps asking the same question. The aide should:
A. Ignore the resident
B. Give a brief, calm answer each time
C. Tell the resident to stop asking
D. Leave the room
Correct answer: B. Reassurance and repetition help reduce anxiety in dementia care.
14. Which of the following demonstrates good body mechanics?
A. Bending from the waist when lifting
B. Keeping feet close together
C. Bending knees and keeping back straight
D. Twisting while lifting
Correct answer: C. Proper lifting technique reduces risk of injury.
15. The most appropriate way to identify a resident before giving care is to:
A. Ask the roommate
B. Check the identification bracelet
C. Ask the resident’s name only
ANSWERS) PLUS CORRECT RATIONALE IN ITALICS
1. Which of the following actions best promotes a patient’s dignity during personal care?
A. Completing care as quickly as possible
B. Keeping the patient covered as much as possible
C. Talking with other staff while providing care
D. Leaving the door open for ventilation
Correct answer: B. Keeping the patient covered as much as possible maintains privacy and
dignity during care.
2. When a resident begins to fall, the nurse aide should:
A. Try to hold the resident up completely
B. Gently lower the resident to the floor
C. Call for help immediately without touching the resident
D. Step aside to avoid injury
Correct answer: B. Lowering the resident to the floor prevents injury to both the resident and the
aide.
3. Which of the following should be reported to the nurse immediately?
A. Resident refuses to eat dessert
B. Resident’s skin feels warm and dry
C. Resident has new bruises on the arm
D. Resident complains of being bored
Correct answer: C. New bruises may indicate injury or abuse and must be reported promptly.
4. The most important way to prevent the spread of infection is:
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Using isolation for all residents
C. Washing hands before and after care
D. Avoiding touching residents unnecessarily
Correct answer: C. Handwashing is the single most effective infection control method.
5. Which of the following is an example of neglect?
A. Not assisting a resident to the bathroom on time
B. Giving medication without permission
,C. Taking money from a resident
D. Making fun of a resident
Correct answer: A. Failing to meet basic needs, such as toileting, is neglect.
6. When communicating with a hearing-impaired resident, the aide should:
A. Speak loudly directly into the ear
B. Speak slowly and clearly, facing the resident
C. Use gestures only
D. Repeat the same words loudly
Correct answer: B. Facing the resident and speaking clearly improves understanding.
7. When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should:
A. Ask the resident to stand up
B. Keep side rails down for easier access
C. Raise side rails on the opposite side for safety
D. Change all linens at once
Correct answer: C. Raising side rails on the far side prevents the resident from falling.
8. A resident is angry and shouting. The best response is to:
A. Leave the room immediately
B. Tell the resident to calm down
C. Listen and show understanding
D. Call the nurse right away
Correct answer: C. Listening and acknowledging feelings helps de-escalate anger.
9. Which action helps prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Keeping bed linens tight
B. Repositioning the resident every two hours
C. Using plastic sheets
D. Encouraging the resident to stay in bed
Correct answer: B. Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and maintains circulation.
10. The nurse aide should wear gloves when:
A. Feeding a resident
B. Transferring a resident from bed to chair
C. Providing mouth care
, D. Taking oral temperature
Correct answer: C. Gloves protect against contact with saliva and other body fluids.
11. When assisting a resident with eating, the nurse aide should:
A. Feed quickly to avoid spills
B. Allow the resident to do as much as possible
C. Mix all food together for convenience
D. Stand while feeding the resident
Correct answer: B. Encouraging independence promotes dignity and self-esteem.
12. What is the correct procedure for measuring a resident’s radial pulse?
A. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four
B. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two
C. Count for a full minute
D. Estimate by feeling briefly
Correct answer: C. Counting for one full minute ensures accuracy.
13. A resident with Alzheimer’s disease keeps asking the same question. The aide should:
A. Ignore the resident
B. Give a brief, calm answer each time
C. Tell the resident to stop asking
D. Leave the room
Correct answer: B. Reassurance and repetition help reduce anxiety in dementia care.
14. Which of the following demonstrates good body mechanics?
A. Bending from the waist when lifting
B. Keeping feet close together
C. Bending knees and keeping back straight
D. Twisting while lifting
Correct answer: C. Proper lifting technique reduces risk of injury.
15. The most appropriate way to identify a resident before giving care is to:
A. Ask the roommate
B. Check the identification bracelet
C. Ask the resident’s name only
