Nurse aide (CNA)
CNA test questions, with answers, by area
Choose an area of the written exam and scroll through its questions. Try each one in your head before you open the answer.
1.While giving perineal care to a female resident, how should the nurse aide wipe the area?
- A. From back to front, using one section of the cloth throughout
- B. From front to back, using a clean part of the cloth each stroke (answer)
- C. In a circular motion starting at the rectal area and moving out
- D. Side to side across the labia with the same area of the cloth
Wiping front to back moves from the cleanest area toward the dirtiest, keeping bacteria from the rectal area away from the urethra and lowering the risk of urinary tract infection. Wiping back to front drags fecal bacteria toward the urethra, and reusing the same part of the cloth spreads them.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, perineal care)
2.A resident who is unresponsive needs mouth care. How should the nurse aide position the resident?
- A. Flat on the back with the chin tilted upward
- B. Sitting fully upright with the head tipped back
- C. On one side with the head turned so fluid drains out (answer)
- D. Face down with the face resting on the pillow
Side-lying with the head turned lets liquid run out of the mouth instead of into the airway, which lowers the risk of aspiration. Lying flat on the back allows fluid to pool in the throat. Only a small amount of liquid is used on the swabs.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, oral care for an unresponsive resident)
3.Before cleaning a resident's dentures at the sink, what should the nurse aide do to prevent damage?
- A. Rinse the dentures under very hot running water
- B. Line the sink with a towel or partly fill it with water (answer)
- C. Soak the dentures in an alcohol-based mouthwash
- D. Hold the dentures high above the dry sink basin
A towel or some water in the basin cushions the dentures if they slip, so they are less likely to crack or chip. Hot water can warp denture material. When out of the mouth, dentures are stored in cool water in a labeled cup.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, denture care)
4.A resident has weakness on the right side after a stroke. When helping the resident put on a shirt, which arm should go into a sleeve first?
- A. The left arm, which is the stronger side
- B. The right arm, which is the weaker side (answer)
- C. Whichever arm the aide can reach more easily
- D. Both arms together to keep the shirt even
Dressing the weak side first lets the garment be eased over the limb that cannot move well, while the stronger arm can then bend into its own sleeve. Starting with the strong side leaves too little slack for the weak arm. Undressing is done in the reverse order.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (dressing, weak side)
5.A resident with a weak left arm is getting ready for a bath. Which sleeve should the nurse aide remove first?
- A. The sleeve on the right, stronger arm (answer)
- B. The sleeve on the left, weaker arm
- C. Both sleeves at once by pulling downward
- D. The sleeve closest to the aide at the bedside
Removing clothing from the strong side first creates slack, so the garment can then be slipped gently off the weak arm without forcing the joint. The rule for dressing is the opposite: the weak side goes first.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (dressing, undressing)
6.Before a resident gets into a tub bath, what is the best way for the nurse aide to check the water temperature?
- A. Use a bath thermometer or test it with the inner wrist (answer)
- B. Touch the water quickly with the fingertips
- C. Ask the resident to step in and say if it is hot
- D. Let the tap run for five minutes, then fill the tub
A thermometer gives an objective reading, and the inner wrist is more sensitive to heat than the fingertips. Older adults may have reduced sensation and can be burned before they feel the heat, so the aide checks first and the resident may then test it too.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, bathing safety)
7.A resident with diabetes has long, thick toenails. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Trim the nails straight across with nail clippers
- B. Report it to the nurse and leave nail cutting to licensed staff (answer)
- C. Soak the feet, then file the nails into curves
- D. Cut the nails very short so they need less trimming
Poor circulation and nerve damage in diabetes mean small cuts heal slowly and become infected easily, so toenail trimming is done by a nurse or foot specialist according to facility policy. The aide keeps the feet clean and dry, observes them and reports problems.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, foot and nail care)
8.A resident who takes a blood thinner wants to be shaved. Which razor should the nurse aide use?
- A. A new disposable safety razor
- B. An electric razor (answer)
- C. A straight razor sharpened before use
- D. A double-edge razor with fresh blades
Blood thinners make bleeding from small nicks hard to stop, so an electric razor is used because it does not cut the skin the way a blade can. A new disposable razor is still a blade and carries the same risk of cuts.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, shaving)
9.A resident with swallowing problems is about to eat lunch. How should the nurse aide position the resident?
- A. Reclining with the head of the bed at 20 degrees
- B. Lying on the side with the head on a pillow
- C. Sitting upright, as close to 90 degrees as possible (answer)
- D. Semi-reclined with the chin lifted toward the ceiling
An upright position with the head slightly forward helps food move into the esophagus rather than the airway. Reclining or tipping the chin up makes aspiration more likely. The resident usually stays upright for a period after eating, as the care plan directs.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (nutrition, dysphagia)
10.The care plan says a resident must have thickened liquids. The resident asks for a glass of plain water. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Give plain water because the resident has the right to choose
- B. Offer water thickened to the ordered consistency and explain why (answer)
- C. Give plain water but only in small sips through a straw
- D. Refuse any water until the next meal tray is served
Thickened liquids are ordered because thin liquids move fast and are easily aspirated. The aide follows the diet order, offers the correct consistency and reports the request to the nurse. A resident who wants to refuse the ordered diet is reported to the nurse, not given thin liquids by the aide.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (nutrition, thickened liquids)
11.A resident who is blind is served a meal tray. How can the nurse aide best help the resident eat independently?
- A. Feed the resident to save time and avoid spills
- B. Mix all the foods together in one large bowl
- C. Place every item on the left side of the tray
- D. Describe food locations using the face of a clock (answer)
Naming positions like a clock face, such as meat at 3 o'clock and potatoes at 9 o'clock, lets a resident with vision loss find each food and eat without help. Feeding a resident who can feed himself or herself takes away independence and dignity.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (nutrition, visual impairment at meals)
12.A resident ate about half of the breakfast tray. How should the nurse aide record this?
- A. As a poor appetite, with no amount
- B. As the number of calories eaten
- C. As 50 percent of the meal eaten (answer)
- D. Only if the resident asks for more
Facilities track meal intake as a percentage of the tray so the nurse and dietitian can follow nutrition over time. A vague note like poor appetite does not give a measurable amount. A clear drop from the resident's usual intake is also reported to the nurse.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (nutrition, recording meal intake)
13.Which observation suggests that a resident may not be drinking enough fluid?
- A. Pale, clear urine passed often
- B. Moist mucous membranes in the mouth
- C. Steady weight over several weeks
- D. Dark yellow urine with a strong odor (answer)
Concentrated dark urine is a common sign of dehydration, along with a dry mouth, cracked lips and new confusion. Pale urine and a moist mouth point to adequate hydration. The aide reports signs of dehydration and offers fluids as the care plan allows.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hydration, signs of dehydration)
14.When giving catheter care, in which direction should the nurse aide clean the catheter tubing?
- A. Toward the urinary opening, up the tubing
- B. Back and forth along the tubing several times
- C. Away from the urinary opening, down the tubing (answer)
- D. Only around the drainage bag connection site
Cleaning from the urinary opening outward along about four inches of tubing moves germs away from the body. Wiping toward the opening pushes bacteria into the urethra and raises the risk of a urinary tract infection.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (elimination, catheter care)
15.Where should a resident's urinary drainage bag be kept?
- A. On the bed beside the resident's hip
- B. Below the level of the bladder, off the floor (answer)
- C. Hooked to a side rail above the mattress
- D. On the floor directly under the bed frame
Urine drains by gravity only when the bag hangs lower than the bladder; a bag held higher lets urine flow back and can cause infection. Keeping it off the floor prevents contamination. It is attached to the bed frame rather than a movable side rail.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (elimination, urinary drainage bag)
16.A resident recovering from hip surgery needs to use a bedpan. Which item is most appropriate?
- A. A standard bedpan with the wide end under the back
- B. A fracture pan with the flat end under the buttocks (answer)
- C. A urinal placed between the resident's knees
- D. A bedside commode the resident walks to alone
A fracture pan is shallow and slides under a resident who cannot raise the hips much, with its flat end placed under the buttocks. A standard bedpan requires more lifting and turning, which may not be allowed after hip surgery.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (elimination, bedpan use)
17.A resident has not had a bowel movement in four days and has passed only hard, small stools. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Give the resident a laxative from the supply room
- B. Give the resident an enema as soon as possible
- C. Wait one more week before telling anyone
- D. Report it to the nurse and record the observation (answer)
Changes in bowel pattern are reported so the nurse can assess the resident and adjust the care plan, which may include fluids, fiber and activity. Giving a laxative or an enema is not something the aide decides alone.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (elimination, constipation)
18.A resident is found wet with urine. What is the best action by the nurse aide?
- A. Apply powder over the wet skin and let it air dry
- B. Leave the brief on until the scheduled change time
- C. Clean and dry the skin promptly and change the linen (answer)
- D. Scold the resident gently so it does not happen again
Urine on the skin breaks it down and leads to rashes and pressure injuries, so prompt cleaning, drying and fresh linen protect both skin and dignity. Waiting harms the skin, and making the resident feel ashamed harms self-esteem.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (elimination, incontinence care)
19.A resident tells the nurse aide at night that he cannot fall asleep. What should the aide try first?
- A. Give him a sleeping pill from the medicine cart
- B. Turn on the television loudly in his room
- C. Offer comfort measures such as a back rub or toileting (answer)
- D. Tell him to stay in bed and stop worrying
Comfort measures such as a back rub, toileting, repositioning, a quiet room and a warm drink if allowed often help sleep. Medications are given only by licensed staff. The aide reports ongoing sleep problems to the nurse.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (rest and sleep)
20.While turning a resident, the nurse aide sees the resident grimace and hold her breath. What should the aide do?
- A. Finish the turn quickly so the pain ends sooner
- B. Ignore it because the resident did not say ouch
- C. Stop, ask about pain and report it to the nurse (answer)
- D. Give her an extra pillow and leave the room
Grimacing and holding the breath are nonverbal signs of pain, which is important in residents who do not complain. The aide stops the activity, asks the resident and reports to the nurse so the pain can be assessed and treated.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (comfort, recognizing pain)
21.During a bed bath, how should the nurse aide wash the resident's eyes?
- A. With soap, wiping from the outer corner inward
- B. With plain water, wiping from the inner corner outward (answer)
- C. With soap and water, rubbing in small circles
- D. With an alcohol pad, one wipe for both eyes
Eyes are washed first with water only, using a clean part of the washcloth for each eye and wiping from the inner to the outer corner so debris moves away from the tear duct. Soap and alcohol irritate the eyes.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (hygiene, bed bath)
22.A resident's long hair is badly tangled. How should the nurse aide comb it?
- A. Hold the hair above the tangle and work up from the ends (answer)
- B. Start at the scalp and pull firmly through to the ends
- C. Cut out the tangle with scissors without asking
- D. Brush quickly from the scalp downward while it is wet
Working from the ends toward the scalp while holding the hair above the knot prevents pulling on the scalp. Combing hard from the roots causes pain and breakage. A resident's hair is never cut without consent.
Outline point: NNAAP 2024 outline: Activities of Daily Living (grooming, hair care)
CNA · Daily living
22
questions in this domain, 109 for the CNA in all
Open a question for the four options, the answer, the reasoning and the outline point it trains. Written by Radif Partners; not questions from the real exam.
This page lists the nurse aide questions of our bank, 109 in all, sorted by the nine areas of the 2024 NNAAP content outline in force since October 1, 2024. Each question shows its options, the correct answer, a one or two sentence explanation and the area it trains. The largest groups are basic nursing skills (35 questions) and activities of daily living (22), matching their weight on the real written test, which in the NNAAP format has 70 questions of which 60 are scored. The questions were written by Radif Partners from the outline topics and standard nurse aide practice. They are not items from any real exam: Credentia, Prometric and Headmaster keep their item banks confidential and change forms regularly, so any list sold as the real questions should be treated with suspicion. Browsing with answers visible is a review method; the quiz modes on this site remain the better way to learn, because they make you commit to an answer first.
CNA · practice
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Practice questions written by Radif Partners from the public outline; not questions from the real exam. Progress stays in this browser.
Questions, formats and fees by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
What is in the bank
| Outline area | Questions in our bank | Questions in a full mock |
|---|---|---|
| Activities of Daily Living | 22 | 15 |
| Basic Nursing Skills | 35 | 24 |
| Self-care and Independence | 8 | 5 |
| Emotional and Mental Health Needs | 9 | 6 |
| Spiritual and Cultural Needs | 4 | 1 |
| Communication | 8 | 5 |
| Client Rights | 9 | 6 |
| Legal and Ethical Behavior | 7 | 4 |
| Member of the Health Care Team | 7 | 4 |
The areas follow the NNAAP content outline word for word, so you can match each one with a chapter of your training notes. Each question carries its area under the stem, which helps when you want to know whether a weak spot is a whole area or a single topic inside it.
Three questions taken apart
Reading an answer is only useful if you see why the other options are wrong. Here is the reasoning behind three typical items, one from each part of the outline.
Daily living. A resident with a weak left side needs help putting on a shirt. Which arm goes into the sleeve first? The weak arm. Dressing starts with the affected side and undressing starts with the strong side, so the weak limb moves as little as possible. The tempting wrong option is the strong arm, because it feels natural to start with the arm that helps.
Basic nursing skills. You find a resident on the floor. What do you do first? Stay with the resident and call for help with the call light or by voice. Do not lift the resident yourself, because an injury must be assessed by the nurse first. Options that involve moving the resident, even to make them comfortable, are wrong.
Client rights. A resident refuses a shower today. What should the aide do? Respect the refusal, ask whether another time would suit, and report it to the nurse. Persuading the resident with pressure, or skipping it without telling anyone, are both wrong: the first ignores a right, the second ignores the duty to report.
A method for browsing
- Pick one area and read ten questions with the answer hidden. Decide on your option before opening it.
- Mark each question in your notes as known, guessed or wrong. A correct guess counts as wrong.
- For every wrong or guessed item, write the rule in one short line. Ten lines a day is a solid pace.
- The next day, test those rules in a practice set on the same area. If the rule holds in a new question, it is learned.
Avoid reading the whole bank in one evening. Familiarity grows fast when the answers are in front of you, and it feels like knowledge until a question is worded differently.
Patterns worth knowing
A few rules answer a large share of the bank. Safety comes first: lock wheels, lower the bed, keep the call light within reach. Privacy and dignity follow: knock, close the curtain, cover the resident. Infection control is constant: hand hygiene before and after contact, gloves when touching body fluids, and clean to dirty when washing. And the aide works within the care plan: anything new or abnormal goes to the nurse.
Communication questions have their own logic. The best reply is usually open, calm and focused on the resident's feelings, without false reassurance. Try the five communication questions below with that rule in mind.
CNA · practice
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correct out of answered
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| Study target: 4 of 5 (80%), not the official passing score |
Practice questions written by Radif Partners from the public outline; not questions from the real exam. Progress stays in this browser.
Questions on confusion and dementia follow a pattern of their own. The right answer stays calm, keeps routines, uses short sentences and redirects the resident to something familiar rather than arguing about facts. Correcting a confused resident sharply, restraining without an order, or leaving a wandering resident alone are the typical wrong options. You will find these in the emotional and mental health area of the bank.
Where the bank fits in your preparation
Use it at two moments: right after a practice set, to read the neighbors of the questions you missed, and during the last days, as a fast review of rules you already know. For everything in between, answering beats reading. Once each area feels solid, sit the full timed mock, and let the review page bring back the questions you got wrong. The knowledge part itself is described on the written exam page.