FREE CNA Exam Practice Questions: Essential FAQs for Exam Success
Comprehensive Free CNA Exam Practice Questions
50 Essential CNA Exam Practice Questions & Answers for Success
Introduction
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) requires comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and thorough exam preparation. CNA exam practice questions help reinforce your knowledge, improve confidence, and prepare you for real-world patient care scenarios. This guide provides 50 essential CNA exam practice questions, covering critical topics such as patient care, emergency procedures, infection control, and ethical responsibilities.
Why CNA Exam Practice Questions Matter?
Using CNA exam practice questions as part of your study routine offers multiple benefits:
- Enhances Critical Thinking – Develop problem-solving skills for real patient care situations.
- Boosts Confidence – Feel prepared for the exam’s written and clinical portions.
- Identifies Weak Areas – Focus on topics where you need more practice.
- Improves Test Performance – Increase accuracy and efficiency in answering CNA exam questions.
Get CNA Exam Practice Questions to ace your certification!
These FAQs cover real-world scenarios, exam prep, and clinical skills.
Patient Care and Daily Responsibilities: Key CNA Exam Questions
1. How should a CNA respond when a dementia patient is upset about a missing personal item?
Validate the resident’s emotions and help search for the item rather than dismissing their concern.
2. What should a CNA do if they have never performed a certain procedure before?
Always seek guidance from a nurse or an experienced colleague instead of attempting the procedure alone.
3. Why is hand hygiene important before feeding a resident?
Handwashing reduces the spread of infections, especially when residents have compromised immunity.
4. Can CNAs give medication to residents?
CNAs are generally not permitted to administer medications unless they obtain additional certification as a Medication Aide.
5. What is the purpose of Range of Motion (ROM) exercises?
These exercises prevent muscle stiffness, maintain mobility, and improve circulation for immobile residents.
6. How should a CNA assist a resident who has trouble swallowing?
Ensure the resident is sitting upright, provide small bites, and monitor for choking.
7. What should a CNA do if a resident refuses to eat?
Encourage them gently, offer different food options, and report persistent refusal to a nurse.
8. How often should a CNA reposition a bedridden resident?
Every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers and promote circulation.
9. What should a CNA do if a resident asks about their medical condition?
Refer them to the nurse, as CNAs are not allowed to provide medical advice.
Patient Hygiene CNA Question
10. When providing perineal care, how should a CNA clean the area?
Always clean from front to back to prevent infections.
Validate the resident’s emotions and help search for the item rather than dismissing their concern.
Always seek guidance from a nurse or an experienced colleague instead of attempting the procedure alone.
Handwashing reduces the spread of infections, especially when residents have compromised immunity.
CNAs are generally not permitted to administer medications unless they obtain additional certification as a Medication Aide.
These exercises prevent muscle stiffness, maintain mobility, and improve circulation for immobile residents.
Ensure the resident is sitting upright, provide small bites, and monitor for choking.
Encourage them gently, offer different food options, and report persistent refusal to a nurse.
Every two hours to prevent pressure ulcers and promote circulation.
Refer them to the nurse, as CNAs are not allowed to provide medical advice.
Always clean from front to back to prevent infections.
Patient Care and Daily Responsibilities: CNA Practice Questions
Emergency Situations: CNA Exam FAQs
11. What is the first action when a resident becomes short of breath while in bed?
Elevate the head of the bed and immediately call for medical assistance.
12. What should a CNA do if they hear an alarm while giving a bed bath?
Secure the resident first, then check the alarm to ensure safety.
13. Why should CNAs avoid using restraints whenever possible?
Restraints can increase the risk of pressure ulcers, agitation, and reduced mobility.
14. What are common symptoms of low blood sugar in diabetic residents?
Look for shakiness, sweating, dizziness, and confusion.
15. What should a CNA do if a resident coughs frequently while eating?
Frequent coughing may signal swallowing difficulties (dysphagia); notify the nurse immediately.
Resident Safety Exam Questions
16. How should a CNA respond to a resident who falls?
Stay with the resident, check for injuries, and call for help immediately
17. What is the best way to prevent falls in elderly residents?
Keep pathways clear, ensure proper lighting, and encourage residents to use assistive devices.
18. What should a CNA do during a fire emergency?
Follow RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
19. What should a CNA do if a resident is experiencing a seizure?
Protect the resident from injury, keep the airway clear, and do not restrain them.
20. What action should be taken if a resident complains of chest pain?
Stay with the resident and notify the nurse immediately.
Elevate the head of the bed and immediately call for medical assistance.
Secure the resident first, then check the alarm to ensure safety.
Restraints can increase the risk of pressure ulcers, agitation, and reduced mobility.
Look for shakiness, sweating, dizziness, and confusion.
Frequent coughing may signal swallowing difficulties (dysphagia); notify the nurse immediately.
Stay with the resident, check for injuries, and call for help immediately
Keep pathways clear, ensure proper lighting, and encourage residents to use assistive devices.
Follow RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
Protect the resident from injury, keep the airway clear, and do not restrain them.
Stay with the resident and notify the nurse immediately.
Communication and Compassionate Care: CNA Exam Practice
21. How can a CNA provide compassionate care to a terminally ill resident?
Focus on comfort measures, effective pain management, and provide emotional support in a peaceful setting.
22. How can CNAs support a grieving resident?
Offer empathetic listening and emotional support, allowing the resident to express their feelings.
23. How should a CNA communicate with a resident who speaks a different language?
Use gestures, pictures, or translation tools to bridge the language gap.
24. Why is cultural sensitivity important in CNA care?
It builds trust and respect, ensuring that care is delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.
Focus on comfort measures, effective pain management, and provide emotional support in a peaceful setting.
Offer empathetic listening and emotional support, allowing the resident to express their feelings.
Use gestures, pictures, or translation tools to bridge the language gap.
It builds trust and respect, ensuring that care is delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.
Infection Control and Hygiene: CNA Practice Questions
25. When should gloves be worn by a CNA?
Always wear gloves when handling bodily fluids, performing perineal care, or changing wound dressings.
26. What is the best way to prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare setting?
Proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
27. What PPE is needed when handling a resident’s bedpan?
Gloves are essential for infection control.
28. How should a CNA dispose of soiled linens?
Place them in designated containers without shaking them to prevent contamination.
29. What should a CNA do if they accidentally get exposed to a resident’s blood?
Wash the area immediately and report the incident to a supervisor.
Always wear gloves when handling bodily fluids, performing perineal care, or changing wound dressings.
Proper hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Gloves are essential for infection control.
Place them in designated containers without shaking them to prevent contamination.
Wash the area immediately and report the incident to a supervisor.
Ethical Responsibilities and Resident Rights: CNA Exam Practice Questions
30. What should a CNA do if they witness coworker abuse of a resident?
Immediately report the incident to a supervisor to ensure the resident’s safety.
31. What rights are included in the Resident’s Bill of Rights?
Residents have the right to make their own care decisions.
32. What can cause a CNA to be removed from the state registry?
Incidents of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment can lead to removal.
33. How should a CNA handle confidential resident information?
Follow HIPAA guidelines and never share personal health details.
34. Can a resident refuse care?
Yes, residents have the right to refuse care, and CNAs must respect their decision.
Immediately report the incident to a supervisor to ensure the resident’s safety.
Residents have the right to make their own care decisions.
Incidents of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment can lead to removal.
Follow HIPAA guidelines and never share personal health details.
Yes, residents have the right to refuse care, and CNAs must respect their decision.
Mobility and Transfer Safety
35. What is a gait belt, and how is it used?
A gait belt is a safety device placed around a resident’s waist to support transfers and walking, helping reduce fall risks.
36. How should CNAs assist residents moving up in bed?
Provide support by encouraging the resident’s participation, using proper body mechanics, and offering hands-on help as needed.
37. How can CNAs assist residents with limited mobility in daily activities?
Provide safe transfers, use assistive devices, and encourage participation in light exercises to maintain or improve mobility.
A gait belt is a safety device placed around a resident’s waist to support transfers and walking, helping reduce fall risks.
Provide support by encouraging the resident’s participation, using proper body mechanics, and offering hands-on help as needed.
Provide safe transfers, use assistive devices, and encourage participation in light exercises to maintain or improve mobility.
Personal Care and Comfort
38. How should a CNA care for a resident’s feet?
Inspect the feet for skin breakdown, ensure proper hygiene, and avoid applying lotion between the toes to prevent fungal infections.
39. What is the best approach when a resident wears mismatched clothing?
Encourage independence by gently offering suggestions and assisting if the resident requests help while respecting their style.
40. What steps should a CNA take if a resident is experiencing incontinence?
Promptly change the resident, inspect for skin irritation, and report the incident to a nurse for further assessment.
Inspect the feet for skin breakdown, ensure proper hygiene, and avoid applying lotion between the toes to prevent fungal infections.
Encourage independence by gently offering suggestions and assisting if the resident requests help while respecting their style.
Promptly change the resident, inspect for skin irritation, and report the incident to a nurse for further assessment.
Communication and Emotional Support
41. Why might residents feel a sense of loss when moving into a care facility?
Residents may feel a loss of independence and familiarity with their surroundings. Recognizing this emotion helps CNAs provide compassionate support.
42. How can CNAs encourage residents to engage in conversation?
Ask open-ended questions about their past, interests, or hobbies and actively listen to foster a friendly, supportive dialogue.
Residents may feel a loss of independence and familiarity with their surroundings. Recognizing this emotion helps CNAs provide compassionate support.
Ask open-ended questions about their past, interests, or hobbies and actively listen to foster a friendly, supportive dialogue.
Behavioral Management and De-escalation
43. How should a CNA handle a combative resident?
Remain calm, maintain a safe distance, and use de-escalation techniques while seeking assistance from colleagues if necessary.
44. What is the best way to respond if a resident throws an object in anger?
Stay calm, ensure safety by removing any hazards, and address the resident’s distress by identifying and mitigating the cause.
Remain calm, maintain a safe distance, and use de-escalation techniques while seeking assistance from colleagues if necessary.
Stay calm, ensure safety by removing any hazards, and address the resident’s distress by identifying and mitigating the cause.
Patient Monitoring and Emergency Recognition
45. Why is routine weight measurement important?
Regular weight checks help monitor nutritional status, detect sudden health changes, and allow timely adjustments in care plans.
46. What is an early warning sign of a stroke?
Warning signs include slurred speech, facial drooping, and weakness on one side of the body. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
47. Which vital signs should always be reported to a nurse?
Any sudden changes in heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, or respiratory rate must be reported as they may signal a serious issue.
48. How can CNAs promote proper hydration among residents?
Encourage regular fluid intake by offering beverages frequently and monitoring for signs of dehydration.
Regular weight checks help monitor nutritional status, detect sudden health changes, and allow timely adjustments in care plans.
Warning signs include slurred speech, facial drooping, and weakness on one side of the body. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
Any sudden changes in heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, or respiratory rate must be reported as they may signal a serious issue.
Encourage regular fluid intake by offering beverages frequently and monitoring for signs of dehydration.
Patient Monitoring and Emergency Recognition
49. How should a CNA turn off a sink with hand-controlled faucets?
Use a paper towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet after washing hands, reducing the risk of recontamination.
50. What role do CNAs play in infection prevention during pandemics?
CNAs follow strict PPE protocols, practice frequent hand hygiene, and adhere to updated guidelines to help reduce infection risks.
Use a paper towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet after washing hands, reducing the risk of recontamination.
CNAs follow strict PPE protocols, practice frequent hand hygiene, and adhere to updated guidelines to help reduce infection risks.