Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Exam Sample Questions and Explanations

Dress the weak (affected) arm first and undress it last. The weak arm cannot bend or reach well, so it goes into the sleeve while the shirt is loose. The strong arm can then move into its sleeve easily.

Wrong choices

• Whichever arm the aide finds easier: The rule is based on the resident's weak side, not the aide's preference.
• The left (strong) arm: The strong arm can bend and reach, so it goes in last and comes out first.
• Both arms at the same time: Putting both arms in at once pulls on the weak arm and is hard to control.

Dementia makes it hard to follow and remember information. Approach from the front, use the resident's name, speak calmly, and use short, simple sentences with one step at a time. Give the resident time to respond.

Wrong choices

• Give several instructions at once to save time: Several steps at once are confusing for a person with dementia.
• Speak quickly so the resident keeps up: Fast speech is harder to follow.
• Use long explanations so nothing is missed: Long explanations are hard to follow and remember.

Residents have the right to refuse care. Find out why if you can, offer another time or choice, and report the refusal to the nurse. Never force or threaten.

Wrong choices

• Give the bath anyway because it is on the schedule: Forcing care against her wishes violates her right to refuse.
• Say nothing and skip it without telling anyone: The nurse needs to know about refused care.
• Tell her she will lose a privilege if she refuses: Threats are a form of abuse.

Older skin burns easily and some residents cannot feel heat well. Always check the water temperature with a bath thermometer or the inside of your wrist before the resident gets in. Many programs also let the resident test the water to make sure it is comfortable.

Wrong choices

• Add bath oil to the water: Bath oil makes the tub slippery and is not a safety step.
• Leave the resident to undress alone: Staying close keeps the resident safe from falls.
• Fill the tub to the very top: A very full tub can overflow and is not needed for a safe bath.

Upset behavior in dementia often comes from fear, pain, or confusion. Stay calm, speak softly, make sure she is safe, and redirect her or try again later. Report the behavior to the nurse. Never argue, force care, or isolate her.

Wrong choices

• Argue with the resident until she agrees to the bath: Arguing makes the resident more upset.
• Finish the bath quickly while holding her arms: Holding a resident down for care can be abuse.
• Leave her alone in a locked room to calm down: Locking a resident in a room is involuntary seclusion.

A resident's room is their home. Knock and wait for permission before entering, unless it is an emergency. This respects privacy and dignity.

Wrong choices

• Knock while walking in at the same time: Knocking only works if you wait for an answer.
• Walk in quickly so the resident is not disturbed: Walking in without knocking ignores the resident's privacy.
• Open the door and call out from the hall: This still enters the room without permission.

Hands carry germs from person to person and from surfaces to people. Hand hygiene, either washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub, is the most important way to stop the spread of infection.

Wrong choices

• Opening the windows: Fresh air does not remove germs from hands and surfaces.
• Giving antibiotics: Nurse aides do not give antibiotics, and antibiotics do not stop the spread of germs between people.
• Wearing a mask all day: Masks help in some situations, but hand hygiene prevents the most spread.

Residents have the right to privacy and to practice their religion. Close the door or curtain, step out, and return when she is finished, unless there is an urgent care need.

Wrong choices

• Tell her to pray after her care is done: Her spiritual needs are as important as physical care.
• Invite other residents to join her: She asked to be alone.
• Stay in the room and keep working: Staying ignores her request for privacy.

Get the resident's attention, face them in good light, and speak clearly and a little slowly in a normal or slightly lower pitch. Make sure hearing aids are in and working. Do not shout.

Wrong choices

• Speak very fast so you finish quickly: Fast speech is harder to understand.
• Shout so the resident can hear: Shouting distorts sounds and can seem angry.
• Talk from behind the resident: The resident cannot see your face or lips.

Alcohol-based hand rub works for most routine hand hygiene, but when hands are visibly soiled you must wash with soap and water. Soap and running water remove dirt and body fluids that hand rub cannot.

Wrong choices

• Wipe your hands on your uniform: This spreads germs to your uniform and does not clean your hands.
• Put on gloves over the dirt: Gloves do not clean hands, and germs stay on the skin.
• Use alcohol-based hand rub: Hand rub is not enough when hands are visibly dirty.