FINAL REVIEW
PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T / C E R T I F I E D N U R S I N G A S S I S TA N T
PCA/CNA Final Exam Review
Practice Question Bank
Fluid Balance, Vital Signs, Positioning & Patient Safety
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW:
Fluids, Edema, Vital Signs, Infection Control
— Positioning, Measurements & Emergency Response
Final Review — Edition 1 · July 2026
FINAL REVIEW DETAILED CORE SKILLS BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES
Complete PCA/CNA exam Vitals, fluids & positioning Pass your certification exam
prep Clear explanations for mastery
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant / CNA Certification
,PCA/CNA FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS 1–30
Section 1: Fluid Balance, Vital Signs & Infection Control
1 Restricted fluids means:
A Fluids are limited to a certain amount — the patient cannot drink freely
B The patient can drink as much as they want
C Only water is restricted but other fluids are allowed
D Fluids are encouraged in unlimited amounts
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Fluid restriction means the patient's daily fluid intake is
limited to a specific volume — commonly ordered for heart failure, renal disease,
or fluid overload. The CNA must carefully measure and record all intake, and the
water pitcher should be removed or marked to track consumption against the
ordered limit.
2 A person is NPO. What should you do?
A Remove the water pitcher and cup from the room
B Provide a variety of fluids throughout the day
C Offer fluids in small amounts and in small containers
D Remove oral hygiene equipment from the room
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: NPO (nothing by mouth) means absolutely no oral
intake — removing the water pitcher and cup prevents accidental consumption.
Oral hygiene equipment should remain (mouth care is still needed). The CNA
must ensure the patient, family, and all staff understand the NPO status to
prevent complications before surgery or procedures.
, 3 NPO means:
A Nothing by mouth — the patient cannot eat or drink anything
B Normal postoperative observation
C No pain on palpation of the abdomen
D Nutritious protein options for dietary planning
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: NPO (nil per os — Latin for "nothing by mouth") is a
critical medical order — the patient cannot consume any food, liquids, or oral
medications. It is commonly ordered before surgery, during acute illness, or for
bowel rest. The CNA must ensure compliance and immediately report any oral
intake.
4 Encourage fluids means:
A The person drinks an increased amount of fluid — often to prevent
dehydration or flush the urinary system
B The person should limit all fluid intake
C Only water should be offered, no other beverages
D Fluids should be withheld until the nurse assesses the patient
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Encouraging fluids promotes increased intake — often
ordered for UTIs (to flush bacteria), dehydration, kidney stones, or post-
procedure. The CNA should offer preferred fluids frequently, keep water within
reach, and record intake accurately. This is the opposite of fluid restriction.
PASS.
PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T / C E R T I F I E D N U R S I N G A S S I S TA N T
PCA/CNA Final Exam Review
Practice Question Bank
Fluid Balance, Vital Signs, Positioning & Patient Safety
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW:
Fluids, Edema, Vital Signs, Infection Control
— Positioning, Measurements & Emergency Response
Final Review — Edition 1 · July 2026
FINAL REVIEW DETAILED CORE SKILLS BUILD CONFIDENCE
RATIONALES
Complete PCA/CNA exam Vitals, fluids & positioning Pass your certification exam
prep Clear explanations for mastery
P r e pa r e · P r a c t i c e · Pa s s
Excellence in Patient Care Assistant / CNA Certification
,PCA/CNA FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS 1–30
Section 1: Fluid Balance, Vital Signs & Infection Control
1 Restricted fluids means:
A Fluids are limited to a certain amount — the patient cannot drink freely
B The patient can drink as much as they want
C Only water is restricted but other fluids are allowed
D Fluids are encouraged in unlimited amounts
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Fluid restriction means the patient's daily fluid intake is
limited to a specific volume — commonly ordered for heart failure, renal disease,
or fluid overload. The CNA must carefully measure and record all intake, and the
water pitcher should be removed or marked to track consumption against the
ordered limit.
2 A person is NPO. What should you do?
A Remove the water pitcher and cup from the room
B Provide a variety of fluids throughout the day
C Offer fluids in small amounts and in small containers
D Remove oral hygiene equipment from the room
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: NPO (nothing by mouth) means absolutely no oral
intake — removing the water pitcher and cup prevents accidental consumption.
Oral hygiene equipment should remain (mouth care is still needed). The CNA
must ensure the patient, family, and all staff understand the NPO status to
prevent complications before surgery or procedures.
, 3 NPO means:
A Nothing by mouth — the patient cannot eat or drink anything
B Normal postoperative observation
C No pain on palpation of the abdomen
D Nutritious protein options for dietary planning
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: NPO (nil per os — Latin for "nothing by mouth") is a
critical medical order — the patient cannot consume any food, liquids, or oral
medications. It is commonly ordered before surgery, during acute illness, or for
bowel rest. The CNA must ensure compliance and immediately report any oral
intake.
4 Encourage fluids means:
A The person drinks an increased amount of fluid — often to prevent
dehydration or flush the urinary system
B The person should limit all fluid intake
C Only water should be offered, no other beverages
D Fluids should be withheld until the nurse assesses the patient
CORRECT ANSWER: A
CLINICAL RATIONALE: Encouraging fluids promotes increased intake — often
ordered for UTIs (to flush bacteria), dehydration, kidney stones, or post-
procedure. The CNA should offer preferred fluids frequently, keep water within
reach, and record intake accurately. This is the opposite of fluid restriction.
