Certified Nursing Assistant CNA
Practice Test Comprehensive Practice
Examination Graded A+
1. When helping a resident who has right-sided weakness dress, which side of the garment
should be donned first?
○ A. The left side
○ B. The right side
○ C. Whichever side is closest to the nursing assistant
○ D. Both sides simultaneously
Rationale: Always dress the weak or affected side first (DAFF: Dress Affected First)
to minimize movement and strain on the resident.
2. What is the proper position for a resident receiving an enteral tube feeding to prevent
aspiration?
○ A. Supine position
○ B. Trendelenburg position
○ C. High-Fowler's position
○ D. Prone position
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 to 90 degrees (Fowler's or
High-Fowler's) prevents regurgitation and aspiration during enteral feedings.
3. How should a nursing assistant clean the perineal area of a female resident?
○ A. From front to back
○ B. From back to front
○ C. In a circular motion around the meatus
○ D. Side to side across the labia
Rationale: Cleaning from front to back (urethra toward rectum) prevents bacteria
from the anal area from contaminating the urinary tract.
4. Which of the following is an early sign of a pressure injury?
○ A. Deep crater with exposed muscle
○ B. Open blister with purulent drainage
○ C. Non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence
○ D. Dark eschar covering the heel
Rationale: Stage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by intact skin with non-
blanchable redness over bony areas.
5. When assisting a resident to ambulate using a gait belt, where should the nursing
assistant stand?
○ A. Directly in front of the resident
○ B. Behind the resident holding both handles
○ C. Slightly behind and to the resident's weaker side
○ D. On the resident's stronger side holding their hand
Rationale: Standing slightly behind and on the weaker side provides optimal
support and stability if the resident loses balance.
6. What is the correct procedure for measuring a resident's radial pulse?
○ A. Place fingertips over the thumb side of the inner wrist
○ B. Place the thumb firmly over the center of the wrist
○ C. Press two fingers over the groove in the neck
, ○ D. Place the stethoscope over the fifth intercostal space
Rationale: The radial pulse is palpated on the thumb side of the inner wrist using
two or three fingertips, never the thumb.
7. If a resident with dementia becomes agitated during bathing, what is the best approach
for the nursing assistant?
○ A. Call another assistant to hold the resident still
○ B. Complete the bath quickly while ignoring the agitation
○ C. Pause, speak in a calm voice, and reattempt later
○ D. Inform the nurse that the resident refused bathing permanently
Rationale: De-escalation, maintaining a calm demeanor, and pausing the care
session helps reduce agitation and ensures resident dignity.
8. Which vital sign measurement should be reported to the nurse immediately?
○ A. Oral temperature of 98.6°F
○ B. Pulse rate of 72 beats per minute
○ C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
○ D. Blood pressure reading of 190/110 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg indicates severe hypertension and
requires prompt nursing intervention.
9. What is the most important measure to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
○ A. Wearing gloves for every patient interaction
○ B. Washing hands thoroughly before and after resident care
○ C. Disinfecting all room surfaces every two hours
○ D. Keeping windows open for proper ventilation
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally acknowledged as the single most effective
way to break the chain of infection.
10. When transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be
positioned?
○ A. At the foot of the bed facing away
○ B. Parallel to the bed next to the resident's stronger side
○ C. Parallel to the bed next to the resident's weaker side
○ D. Two feet away from the bed with wheel locks disengaged
Rationale: Placing the wheelchair on the resident's stronger side allows them to
assist with weight-bearing during the transfer.
11. How often must a bedridden resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
○ A. Every 30 minutes
○ B. At least every 2 hours
○ C. Every 4 hours
○ D. Once per shift
Rationale: Standard guidelines mandate repositioning immobile residents at least
every 2 hours to relieve tissue pressure.
12. Which document outlines the specific care, goals, and daily interventions required for a
resident?
○ A. Physician's progress notes
○ B. Resident's care plan
○ C. Facility policy manual
○ D. Incident report sheet
Rationale: The individualized care plan details all nursing tasks, resident needs,
preferences, and guidelines for daily care.
13. What is the first step a nursing assistant should take if a fire is discovered in a resident's
room?
Practice Test Comprehensive Practice
Examination Graded A+
1. When helping a resident who has right-sided weakness dress, which side of the garment
should be donned first?
○ A. The left side
○ B. The right side
○ C. Whichever side is closest to the nursing assistant
○ D. Both sides simultaneously
Rationale: Always dress the weak or affected side first (DAFF: Dress Affected First)
to minimize movement and strain on the resident.
2. What is the proper position for a resident receiving an enteral tube feeding to prevent
aspiration?
○ A. Supine position
○ B. Trendelenburg position
○ C. High-Fowler's position
○ D. Prone position
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to at least 45 to 90 degrees (Fowler's or
High-Fowler's) prevents regurgitation and aspiration during enteral feedings.
3. How should a nursing assistant clean the perineal area of a female resident?
○ A. From front to back
○ B. From back to front
○ C. In a circular motion around the meatus
○ D. Side to side across the labia
Rationale: Cleaning from front to back (urethra toward rectum) prevents bacteria
from the anal area from contaminating the urinary tract.
4. Which of the following is an early sign of a pressure injury?
○ A. Deep crater with exposed muscle
○ B. Open blister with purulent drainage
○ C. Non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence
○ D. Dark eschar covering the heel
Rationale: Stage 1 pressure injuries are characterized by intact skin with non-
blanchable redness over bony areas.
5. When assisting a resident to ambulate using a gait belt, where should the nursing
assistant stand?
○ A. Directly in front of the resident
○ B. Behind the resident holding both handles
○ C. Slightly behind and to the resident's weaker side
○ D. On the resident's stronger side holding their hand
Rationale: Standing slightly behind and on the weaker side provides optimal
support and stability if the resident loses balance.
6. What is the correct procedure for measuring a resident's radial pulse?
○ A. Place fingertips over the thumb side of the inner wrist
○ B. Place the thumb firmly over the center of the wrist
○ C. Press two fingers over the groove in the neck
, ○ D. Place the stethoscope over the fifth intercostal space
Rationale: The radial pulse is palpated on the thumb side of the inner wrist using
two or three fingertips, never the thumb.
7. If a resident with dementia becomes agitated during bathing, what is the best approach
for the nursing assistant?
○ A. Call another assistant to hold the resident still
○ B. Complete the bath quickly while ignoring the agitation
○ C. Pause, speak in a calm voice, and reattempt later
○ D. Inform the nurse that the resident refused bathing permanently
Rationale: De-escalation, maintaining a calm demeanor, and pausing the care
session helps reduce agitation and ensures resident dignity.
8. Which vital sign measurement should be reported to the nurse immediately?
○ A. Oral temperature of 98.6°F
○ B. Pulse rate of 72 beats per minute
○ C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
○ D. Blood pressure reading of 190/110 mmHg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 190/110 mmHg indicates severe hypertension and
requires prompt nursing intervention.
9. What is the most important measure to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
○ A. Wearing gloves for every patient interaction
○ B. Washing hands thoroughly before and after resident care
○ C. Disinfecting all room surfaces every two hours
○ D. Keeping windows open for proper ventilation
Rationale: Hand hygiene is universally acknowledged as the single most effective
way to break the chain of infection.
10. When transferring a resident from a bed to a wheelchair, where should the wheelchair be
positioned?
○ A. At the foot of the bed facing away
○ B. Parallel to the bed next to the resident's stronger side
○ C. Parallel to the bed next to the resident's weaker side
○ D. Two feet away from the bed with wheel locks disengaged
Rationale: Placing the wheelchair on the resident's stronger side allows them to
assist with weight-bearing during the transfer.
11. How often must a bedridden resident be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
○ A. Every 30 minutes
○ B. At least every 2 hours
○ C. Every 4 hours
○ D. Once per shift
Rationale: Standard guidelines mandate repositioning immobile residents at least
every 2 hours to relieve tissue pressure.
12. Which document outlines the specific care, goals, and daily interventions required for a
resident?
○ A. Physician's progress notes
○ B. Resident's care plan
○ C. Facility policy manual
○ D. Incident report sheet
Rationale: The individualized care plan details all nursing tasks, resident needs,
preferences, and guidelines for daily care.
13. What is the first step a nursing assistant should take if a fire is discovered in a resident's
room?
