CNA Certification 2025/2026 – Verified
Written Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
Patient Hygiene
1. What is the correct order for cleaning a patient’s body during a bed bath?
a) Face, arms, legs, chest, back, perineal area
b) Perineal area, legs, arms, chest, back, face
c) Face, chest, arms, back, legs, perineal area
d) Back, chest, arms, legs, face, perineal area
Correct Answer: c) Face, chest, arms, back, legs, perineal area
Rationale: When giving a bed bath, start with the cleanest areas (face) and progress to
the least clean (perineal area) to prevent cross-contamination. This sequence ensures
hygiene and patient comfort.
2. When assisting a patient with oral hygiene, what should the CNA do first?
a) Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush
b) Position the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle
c) Rinse the patient’s mouth with water
d) Put on gloves
Correct Answer: b) Position the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle
Rationale: Positioning the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle prevents choking or
aspiration during oral care, ensuring safety before beginning the procedure.
3. A CNA is preparing to shave a male patient’s face. What should the CNA check
first?
a) The patient’s preference for shaving cream
b) The sharpness of the razor
c) If the patient is on anticoagulant medication
d) The temperature of the water
Correct Answer: c) If the patient is on anticoagulant medication
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding, so the CNA must check for this
to avoid injury during shaving. This ensures patient safety.
4. When cleaning a patient’s dentures, what should the CNA do to prevent damage?
a) Soak them in hot water to sterilize
b) Place a towel in the sink while cleaning
c) Use a hard-bristled brush for thorough cleaning
d) Store them dry in a denture cup
, Correct Answer: b) Place a towel in the sink while cleaning
Rationale: Placing a towel in the sink cushions the dentures if dropped, preventing
cracks or damage. Hot water can warp dentures, and they should be stored in water to
maintain shape.
5. A patient with sensitive skin requires a bath. What should the CNA use to minimize
irritation?
a) Hot water and strong soap
b) Warm water and mild soap
c) Cold water and no soap
d) Warm water and alcohol-based cleanser
Correct Answer: b) Warm water and mild soap
Rationale: Warm water and mild soap are gentle on sensitive skin, reducing irritation
while maintaining hygiene. Hot water or alcohol can dry out or irritate the skin.
6. What should a CNA do before assisting a patient with perineal care?
a) Ensure the room is brightly lit
b) Explain the procedure to the patient
c) Apply lotion to the perineal area
d) Use cold water for cleaning
Correct Answer: b) Explain the procedure to the patient
Rationale: Explaining the procedure respects the patient’s dignity, reduces anxiety, and
ensures informed consent, which is critical before performing personal care.
7. A CNA notices a patient’s skin is dry and flaky. What should the CNA do?
a) Apply alcohol-based lotion
b) Report it to the nurse and apply moisturizer as ordered
c) Ignore it as a normal part of aging
d) Use hot water to exfoliate the skin
Correct Answer: b) Report it to the nurse and apply moisturizer as ordered
Rationale: Dry, flaky skin may indicate a need for medical attention or specific care.
Reporting to the nurse ensures proper assessment, and moisturizer can help if ordered.
8. When providing nail care, what should the CNA avoid?
a) Soaking nails in warm water
b) Cutting nails straight across
c) Cutting nails of a diabetic patient
d) Cleaning under the nails with a file
Correct Answer: c) Cutting nails of a diabetic patient
Rationale: Diabetic patients are at risk for infection and poor healing, so nail cutting
should be done by a professional (e.g., podiatrist) to avoid complications.
9. A CNA is assisting a patient with a shower. What is the most important safety
measure?
a) Ensuring the water is hot
b) Using a non-slip mat in the shower
, c) Allowing the patient to shower alone
d) Providing a towel for drying
Correct Answer: b) Using a non-slip mat in the shower
Rationale: A non-slip mat prevents falls, which is critical for patient safety in the wet,
slippery environment of a shower.
10. How should a CNA position a bedridden patient during a bed bath to prevent
aspiration?
a) Flat on their back
b) Head elevated at 30-45 degrees
c) Lying on their side with head down
d) Sitting fully upright
Correct Answer: b) Head elevated at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head at 30-45 degrees reduces the risk of aspiration by keeping
the airway clear during cleaning, especially around the face and mouth.
Safety
11. What is the first action a CNA should take if a patient begins choking?
a) Call for help immediately
b) Perform the Heimlich maneuver
c) Check the patient’s pulse
d) Offer water to clear the obstruction
Correct Answer: a) Call for help immediately
Rationale: Calling for help ensures additional support and resources are available. The
CNA should only perform the Heimlich maneuver if trained and authorized.
12. A CNA notices a frayed electrical cord on a patient’s call light. What should they
do?
a) Tape the cord and continue using it
b) Report it to the maintenance department
c) Ignore it unless it stops working
d) Replace the cord themselves
Correct Answer: b) Report it to the maintenance department
Rationale: A frayed cord poses an electrical hazard. Reporting it ensures it is repaired or
replaced by qualified personnel, maintaining patient safety.
13. When transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair, what should the CNA do
first?
a) Lock the wheels of the wheelchair
b) Lower the bed to its highest position
c) Move the patient without assistance
d) Adjust the footrests after transfer
Written Exam Questions with Correct
Answers
Patient Hygiene
1. What is the correct order for cleaning a patient’s body during a bed bath?
a) Face, arms, legs, chest, back, perineal area
b) Perineal area, legs, arms, chest, back, face
c) Face, chest, arms, back, legs, perineal area
d) Back, chest, arms, legs, face, perineal area
Correct Answer: c) Face, chest, arms, back, legs, perineal area
Rationale: When giving a bed bath, start with the cleanest areas (face) and progress to
the least clean (perineal area) to prevent cross-contamination. This sequence ensures
hygiene and patient comfort.
2. When assisting a patient with oral hygiene, what should the CNA do first?
a) Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush
b) Position the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle
c) Rinse the patient’s mouth with water
d) Put on gloves
Correct Answer: b) Position the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle
Rationale: Positioning the patient upright or at a 45-degree angle prevents choking or
aspiration during oral care, ensuring safety before beginning the procedure.
3. A CNA is preparing to shave a male patient’s face. What should the CNA check
first?
a) The patient’s preference for shaving cream
b) The sharpness of the razor
c) If the patient is on anticoagulant medication
d) The temperature of the water
Correct Answer: c) If the patient is on anticoagulant medication
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding, so the CNA must check for this
to avoid injury during shaving. This ensures patient safety.
4. When cleaning a patient’s dentures, what should the CNA do to prevent damage?
a) Soak them in hot water to sterilize
b) Place a towel in the sink while cleaning
c) Use a hard-bristled brush for thorough cleaning
d) Store them dry in a denture cup
, Correct Answer: b) Place a towel in the sink while cleaning
Rationale: Placing a towel in the sink cushions the dentures if dropped, preventing
cracks or damage. Hot water can warp dentures, and they should be stored in water to
maintain shape.
5. A patient with sensitive skin requires a bath. What should the CNA use to minimize
irritation?
a) Hot water and strong soap
b) Warm water and mild soap
c) Cold water and no soap
d) Warm water and alcohol-based cleanser
Correct Answer: b) Warm water and mild soap
Rationale: Warm water and mild soap are gentle on sensitive skin, reducing irritation
while maintaining hygiene. Hot water or alcohol can dry out or irritate the skin.
6. What should a CNA do before assisting a patient with perineal care?
a) Ensure the room is brightly lit
b) Explain the procedure to the patient
c) Apply lotion to the perineal area
d) Use cold water for cleaning
Correct Answer: b) Explain the procedure to the patient
Rationale: Explaining the procedure respects the patient’s dignity, reduces anxiety, and
ensures informed consent, which is critical before performing personal care.
7. A CNA notices a patient’s skin is dry and flaky. What should the CNA do?
a) Apply alcohol-based lotion
b) Report it to the nurse and apply moisturizer as ordered
c) Ignore it as a normal part of aging
d) Use hot water to exfoliate the skin
Correct Answer: b) Report it to the nurse and apply moisturizer as ordered
Rationale: Dry, flaky skin may indicate a need for medical attention or specific care.
Reporting to the nurse ensures proper assessment, and moisturizer can help if ordered.
8. When providing nail care, what should the CNA avoid?
a) Soaking nails in warm water
b) Cutting nails straight across
c) Cutting nails of a diabetic patient
d) Cleaning under the nails with a file
Correct Answer: c) Cutting nails of a diabetic patient
Rationale: Diabetic patients are at risk for infection and poor healing, so nail cutting
should be done by a professional (e.g., podiatrist) to avoid complications.
9. A CNA is assisting a patient with a shower. What is the most important safety
measure?
a) Ensuring the water is hot
b) Using a non-slip mat in the shower
, c) Allowing the patient to shower alone
d) Providing a towel for drying
Correct Answer: b) Using a non-slip mat in the shower
Rationale: A non-slip mat prevents falls, which is critical for patient safety in the wet,
slippery environment of a shower.
10. How should a CNA position a bedridden patient during a bed bath to prevent
aspiration?
a) Flat on their back
b) Head elevated at 30-45 degrees
c) Lying on their side with head down
d) Sitting fully upright
Correct Answer: b) Head elevated at 30-45 degrees
Rationale: Elevating the head at 30-45 degrees reduces the risk of aspiration by keeping
the airway clear during cleaning, especially around the face and mouth.
Safety
11. What is the first action a CNA should take if a patient begins choking?
a) Call for help immediately
b) Perform the Heimlich maneuver
c) Check the patient’s pulse
d) Offer water to clear the obstruction
Correct Answer: a) Call for help immediately
Rationale: Calling for help ensures additional support and resources are available. The
CNA should only perform the Heimlich maneuver if trained and authorized.
12. A CNA notices a frayed electrical cord on a patient’s call light. What should they
do?
a) Tape the cord and continue using it
b) Report it to the maintenance department
c) Ignore it unless it stops working
d) Replace the cord themselves
Correct Answer: b) Report it to the maintenance department
Rationale: A frayed cord poses an electrical hazard. Reporting it ensures it is repaired or
replaced by qualified personnel, maintaining patient safety.
13. When transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair, what should the CNA do
first?
a) Lock the wheels of the wheelchair
b) Lower the bed to its highest position
c) Move the patient without assistance
d) Adjust the footrests after transfer
