Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should keep the bed rail on the far side:
✓ Correct answer: B. Up for the resident's safety
The far side rail is raised to keep the resident from rolling out while the aide works on one side of the bed. Safety is maintained throughout the task.
Q12What should the nurse aide do FIRST before beginning any personal care task with a resident?
✓ Correct answer: C. Wash hands, identify the resident, and explain the task
Hand hygiene, correct resident identification, and explaining the procedure (which also gains consent) are basic steps that begin every care task.
Q13To help prevent skin breakdown, after washing the skin the nurse aide should:
✓ Correct answer: D. Pat the skin dry, especially in skin folds
Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing (which can damage fragile skin), and dry skin folds well because trapped moisture promotes breakdown and infection.
Q14Which of the following is the normal resting oral temperature range for an adult?
✓ Correct answer: B. 97.6°F to 99.6°F (about 98.6°F average)
Average normal adult body temperature is about 98.6°F (37°C), with a normal range of roughly 97.6°F to 99.6°F. A temperature above this should be reported.
Q15What is the normal pulse (heart rate) range for a resting adult?
✓ Correct answer: C. 60 to 100 beats per minute
A normal adult resting pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Rates outside this range should be reported to the nurse.
Q16What is the normal respiratory rate for a resting adult?
✓ Correct answer: B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
Normal adult respirations are 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Count a full inhale and exhale as one respiration.
Q17When counting a resident's respirations, the nurse aide should:
✓ Correct answer: A. Count without telling the resident, so breathing stays natural
Respirations are counted without alerting the resident, because awareness of being watched changes the breathing pattern. Aides often keep fingers on the wrist as if still taking the pulse.
Q18A blood pressure reading of 118/76 mmHg in an adult is best described as:
✓ Correct answer: D. Within a normal range
A normal adult blood pressure is below about 120/80 mmHg, so 118/76 is within normal limits. The top number is systolic and the bottom is diastolic.
Q19In which arm should the nurse aide AVOID taking a blood pressure?
✓ Correct answer: C. An arm with an IV, dialysis access (shunt), or on the side of a mastectomy
Avoid taking blood pressure in an arm with an IV, a dialysis access site, a cast, or on the side of a mastectomy, because the cuff pressure can cause injury or give a false reading.
Q20Which site is commonly used to measure pulse when the nurse aide counts it at the wrist?
✓ Correct answer: B. Radial artery
The radial pulse, felt on the thumb side of the wrist, is the most common site for routine pulse measurement.
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Theory