CNA State Exam Practice Test 3 (Free Printable PDF)

CNA State Exam Practice Test 3 (Free Printable PDF). National Association of Health Care Assistants Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Practice Test SET 3 for better CNA Nurse Prep.

It’s time to start practicing as if this test were the real thing. Find yourself a quiet place to work, and allow yourself 1 hour for the whole test. There are 50 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations.

CNA State Exam Practice Test 3

Name of the Test CNA Practice Test
CNA Stands for  Certified Nursing Assistant
Administered by Prometric, HDMaster, Pearson Vue
Test Type Sample Test 3
Total Questions 50 (fifty)
Answers and Explanation Available
Printable and Editable PDF Available
Topics Random
Test Part: Oral portion / Written (Knowledge) Test.

1. A water pitcher has tipped over and you notice water on the floor. You should

  • a. wipe it up immediately
  • b. throw a towel over the water to prevent accidents
  • c. notify the charge nurse
  • d. call housekeeping
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

Take care of spills immediately, or a patient may be injured while waiting for housekeeping.  

2. For a resident who is classified as wound-and-skin isolation, the soiled linen should be

  • a. placed in the linen hamper
  • b. discarded
  • c. bagged before removing from the room
  • d. taken directly to the laundry
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Wound-and-skin isolation means high likelihood of linen contamination. Therefore, all linens must be double-bagged.  

3. On entering a room, you notice that the patient is not breathing. Your first action should be to

  • a. call for help
  • b. lay the resident down on his back
  • c. give four quick breaths
  • d. give 8-10 abdominal thrusts
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

Always call for help first in an emergency.  

4. If a resident begins to choke while being fed and is unable to speak, the nursing assistant should call for help and begin doing

  • a. back blows
  • b. mouth-to-mouth ventilations
  • c. a finger sweep
  • d. abdominal thrusts
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Abdominal thrusts are always the first step for airway obstructions.  

5. When you make a bed, you should place the soiled linen

  • a. on the bedside table
  • b. on the overbed table
  • c. in a laundry bag
  • d. on a chair
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Soiled linen should be directly placed in laundry bags to prevent contamination.  

6. When making an occupied bed, it is important to

  • a. make half of the bed at one time
  • b. have one side rail up and one down
  • c. make a toe pleat in the top covers
  • d. do all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

When making an occupied bed, it is important to make half of the bed at one time, to have one side rail up and one down, and to make a toe pleat in the top covers.  

7. You can prevent decubitus ulcers by

  • a. changing the patient’s position frequently
  • b. placing an egg-crate mattress on top of the mattress
  • c. increasing the patient’s vitamin C consumption
  • d. doing both a and b
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

While choices a and b are correct, there are no data to suggest that choice c is correct.  

8. After positioning a patient, it is most important to

  • a. examine the resident thoroughly
  • b. close the door to the resident’s room so she can rest
  • c. offer the patient a drink of juice
  • d. check the position of nonfunctional limbs
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

A patient may be lying on a nonfunctional limb and have no awareness of it.  

9. The first step in getting a resident up to walk is to

  • a.sit the resident on the side of the bed
  • b. put the resident’s slippers on
  • c. check the activity order
  • d. tell the resident what you want him to do
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Always make sure the resident is allowed to get up first.  

10. As you are transferring a patient, the resident becomes weak and starts to fall. You should

  • a. hold the patient’s transfer belt and lean away from the fall
  • b. call for help
  • c. grasp the transfer belt and lower the resident to the floor along your bent leg
  • d. hold the resident tightly and lean backwards
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Grasp the transfer belt and lower the resident to the floor along your bent leg.  

11. The patient’s TPR is 98.8-80-30. The finding that should be reported at once is

  • a. pulse
  • b. temperature
  • c. respiration
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Only respirations are out of normal range.  

12. Which of the following can cause an inaccurate oral temperature reading?

  • a. drinking hot or cold liquids within 10 minutes of the reading
  • b. failure to shake down a mercury thermometer
  • c. vigorous exercise prior to measuring temperature
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

All three answers are correct.  

13. Systolic blood pressure is determined by

  • a. reviewing previous readings
  • b. listening for the first clear sound
  • c. waiting for a change in sound
  • d. listening for the last clear sound
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Systolic is always marked as the first clear sound.  

14. The order weigh resident q.o.d. means to weigh the resident every

  • a. other week
  • b. other day
  • c. morning
  • d. week
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

The abbreviation q.o.d. means every other day.  

15. Accurate daily weights are measured

  • a. at the same time each day
  • b. with the resident fully clothed
  • c. in the morning
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

Weight may fluctuate during the day, so to be accurate you must weigh residents at the same time each day.   

16. The first step in performing any procedure is to

  • a. explain the procedure
  • b. gather needed equipment
  • c. wash your hands
  • d. provide privacy
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Infection control (handwashing) is always the first step in a procedure.  

17. The most important factor in preventing the spread of infection is to

  • a. place the resident in isolation
  • b. handwash between resident contacts
  • c. clean the unit each day
  • d. wear sterile gloves to care for all residents
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

The most important factor in preventing the spread of infection is to wash your hands between resident contacts.  

18. Which of the following procedures best destroys all bacteria?

  • a. soaking in alcohol
  • b. washing with bleach
  • c. sterilizing
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Only sterilizing destroys bacteria.  

19. In the event of a fire in a resident’s room, your first action should be to

  • a. notify the head nurse
  • b. turn in a fire alarm
  • c. get the resident to a safe place
  • d. get the fire extinguisher
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Always remove the resident from danger first.  

20. Safe use of oxygen therapy includes

  • a. always setting the flowmeter at 2-3 liters per minute
  • b. using wool blankets only
  • c. cleansing the nasal prongs each shift with alcohol
  • d. posting a no smoking sign on the door
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Choice a is wrong because the flow is set by the physician. Choice b is wrong because wool can cause sparks, and c is wrong because alcohol causes drying. Therefore, only choice d is correct.  

21. When you perform CPR, the patient should be lying

  • a. flat on a hard surface
  • b. with head and shoulders elevated
  • c. with the head and feet raised slightly
  • d. none of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

The patient must be flat on a hard surface or the compressions will be inadequate to circulate blood.  

22. You have come upon a patient lying on the floor who is not moving. Your first action should be to

  • a. call for help
  • b. gently shake the victim and ask, Are you all right?
  • c. check to see if the patient is breathing
  • d. check to see if the patient has a pulse
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Determine that there is a problem before calling for help.  

23. A procedures manual is a

  • a. written set of instructions on how to perform procedures
  • b. set of directions needed to complete your job description
  • c. book of directions for administering medications
  • d. book listing the procedures you have been assigned to do
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

A procedures manual is a written set of instructions on how to perform procedures.  

24. If a resident asks a question you cannot answer, you should

  • a. tell the resident you will look it up
  • b. ask the charge nurse to talk to the resident about it
  • c. call the doctor to talk to the resident
  • d. tell the resident that you cannot answer the question
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Always refer such questions to the charge nurse to handle.  

25. The accepted way to identify a resident is to

  • a. check the bed name and number
  • b. check the identification band
  • c. ask the resident’s name
  • d. call the resident by name
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Only an identification band is a sure thing. A confused patient may answer to any name.  

26. Which of the following best describes nail care?

  • a. Nail care is not needed for the elderly.
  • b. Use scissors for all nail care.
  • c. All residents need nail care.
  • d. Check with the LPN for nail care instructions.
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

All residents need nail care. The nursing assistant should be able to obtain information needed from the care plan. 

27. When performing perineal care on a male, always

  • a. clean the scrotum first
  • b. retract the foreskin if uncircumcised
  • c. clean from front to back
  • d. hold the penis at a 90-degree angle
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Material may build up under the foreskin in uncircumcised males unless the foreskin is retracted for cleaning.  

28. When giving a resident a shower, you should

  • a. use a bath blanket
  • b. wear a raincoat to protect yourself
  • c. place the resident in a shower chair
  • d. run water at 135 degrees F
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Because residents may become faint during a shower, they should always be sitting down.  

29. The purpose of the cleansing bath is to

  • a. provide cleanliness
  • b. promote circulation
  • c. observe skin condition
  • d. do all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

A bath correctly given promotes circulation at the same time as it provides an excellent opportunity to observe the skin.  

30. The reasons for rubbing a patient’s back include

  • a. improving circulation
  • b. increasing one-on-one interaction time
  • c. relaxing the resident
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

correctly given backrub improves circulation, thus relaxing the patient while giving you an opportunity for one-on-one interaction.  

31. The procedure for bathing that prevents damage to the skin is to

  • a. rub carefully with a rough washcloth
  • b. use a large amount of lotion
  • c. rinse well and dry thoroughly
  • d. apply a generous amount of talcum powder after the bath
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

The best way to prevent skin breakdown is to rinse and dry well.  

32. The patient’s elbows are dry and red. You should

  • a. report this to the charge nurse
  • b. rub them with lotion
  • c. apply elbow protectors
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

There may be many reasons for dry skin, including medication reactions. The charge nurse should see the problem before any lotion is applied.  

33. The preferred substance for a back rub is

  • a. alcohol
  • b. talcum powder
  • c. lotion
  • d. baby oil
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Rubbing alcohol will dry the skin, talcum powder may be inhaled and accumulates in folds, and baby oil is too greasy.  

34. A decubitus ulcer is caused by

  • a. poor circulation
  • b. pressure on the skin
  • c. poor nutrition
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Choices a, b, and c are all common causes of decubitus ulcers; therefore d is the best answer.  

35. You would shampoo a resident’s hair to improve

  • a. circulation to the scalp
  • b. the resident’s general appearance
  • c. the resident’s feeling of well-being
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Choices a, b, and c are all expected outcomes of a shampoo. Therefore, d is the best answer  

36. When shampooing a patient’s hair, it is important to

  • a. rinse thoroughly
  • b. protect the eyes
  • c. provide for privacy
  • d. do all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Choices a, b, and c are all correct; therefore, d is the best answer.  

37. Which statement about trimming a diabetic’s toenails is correct?

  • a. You should always cut the toenails in a rounded pattern.
  • b. Be sure you have the doctor’s order before beginning.
  • c. Always use safety/bandage scissors on diabetic residents.
  • d. A nursing assistant may not trim a diabetic’s toenails.
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

A nursing assistant never trims a diabetic’s toenails. The diabetic often has extremely poor circulation to the feet, and any injury could lead to amputation.  

38. Which of the following statements about dressing residents is true?

  • a. It is not necessary for handicapped residents to dress in street clothes.
  • b. Residents like staff members to dress them.
  • c. Residents are concerned about how they look.
  • d. Residents are used to being dressed in front of others.
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Choice c is the only answer that addresses resident privacy, modesty, and personal choice.  

39. Which of the following activities should be included in personal daily hygiene?

  • a. shaving male residents
  • b. hair care
  • c. oral hygiene
  • d. all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

Residents should receive hair care, oral hygiene, and shaving on a daily basis.  

40. You are removing a soiled gown from a resident who has an IV. You should

  • a. remove the opposite arm from the gown first
  • b. have the nurse remove the IV needle
  • c. disconnect the bag and tubing
  • d. slip the gown over the IV solution bag
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

Remove the sleeve from the arm without tubing first.  

41. The preferred way to remove a bedpan from a resident who is unable to lift her buttocks is to

  • a. use a mechanical lifting device
  • b. have another nursing assistant lift the resident
  • c. turn the patient to the side while holding the pan
  • d. slowly slide the pan from under the resident
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Turning the resident is the easiest method, and it is important to hold the pan to prevent spilling the contents.  

42. A fracture-type bedpan is used for residents who

  • a. are in traction
  • b. have had hip surgery
  • c. have a back injury
  • d. have any of the above conditions
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

A fracture-type bedpan can be used by any patient who should not be lifted or turned.  

43. If your patient does not eat all the food on his tray, the first thing you should do is

  • a. notify the charge nurse
  • b. ask the resident why
  • c. remove the tray
  • d. urge the patient to eat all the food
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

The patient may not be eating due to personal dislike of the food. Asking first allows you to request a replacement if the problem is this simple.  

44. The resident states that a mistake has been made: there is salt on her tray, although the doctor has ordered a low-salt diet. You should

  • a. explain this means no salt when preparing food
  • b. tell the patient not to use the salt
  • c. check the diet order with the nurse
  • d. call the kitchen for a new tray
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Any diet question must be answered before the resident eats.  

45. If a resident is receiving forced-fluid treatment, you should

  • a. provide at least 2,000 cc of fluid per shift
  • b. provide high-protein fluids
  • c. offer liquids every two hours
  • d. do all of the above
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Choice a is incorrect because the doctor should specify the amount of liquid. Choice b is incorrect because a force-fluid diet is different from high-protein fluids. Choice d cannot be correct if a and b are incorrect.  

46. The main safety factor in transferring a patient is to

  • a. always transfer slowly
  • b. raise the side rails
  • c. secure adequate assistance
  • d. make sure the resident is not tired
View Correct Answer
 Answer: C

Transferring safely means planning ahead, including obtaining help.  

47. A resident who is too large for staff members to transfer safely is

  • a. moved with a mechanical lifting device
  • b. placed on a calorie-controlled diet
  • c. left in bed, but turned every two hours
  • d. left in bed, but repositioned every hour
View Correct Answer
 Answer: A

Use a mechanical device to protect both the resident and the staff.  

48. Before transferring a resident from the bed to a wheelchair, you should sit him on the edge of the bed for a few minutes to

  • a. rearrange his gown or clothing
  • b. prevent orthostatic hypotension
  • c. position and secure the wheelchair
  • d. rest and remove the transfer belt
View Correct Answer
 Answer: B

Orthostatic hypotension is the light-headed feeling we all get when we rise too fast.  

49. At the beginning of your shift, you give a resident a water pitcher containing 270 cc (9 oz.) of water. At the end of your shift, you note that 35 cc of water is left in the pitcher. How much water has been consumed?

  • a. 35 cc
  • b. 135 cc
  • c. 175 cc
  • d. 235 cc
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

The correct answer is obtained by subtracting the amount of fluid left from the fluid amount the resident started with.  

50. When a resident is on I & O, which of the following are measured?

  • a. liquids other than water
  • b. see-through liquids only
  • c. milk, ice cream, and carbonated beverages
  • d. all substances that are fluid at room temperature
View Correct Answer
 Answer: D

All items that are liquid at room temperature are considered fluid (for example, ice cream, gelatin dessert, and so on).  

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