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.

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: Key CNA Exam Questions

Emergency Situations and Resident Safety: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CNAs follow strict PPE protocols, practice frequent hand hygiene, and adhere to updated guidelines to help reduce infection risks.