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.
Q21When weighing a resident to track changes accurately, the nurse aide should weigh the resident:
✓ Correct answer: A. At the same time of day, on the same scale, in similar clothing
Consistency — same time, same scale, similar clothing — makes weight changes meaningful. A sudden weight gain or loss may signal a health problem and should be reported.
Q22A resident's temperature is 101.8°F. The nurse aide should:
✓ Correct answer: C. Report it to the nurse promptly
A temperature this high is a fever and is outside the normal range. The aide records it and reports it promptly to the nurse. Aides do not give medication.
Q23An oxygen saturation (pulse oximeter) reading on most adults is generally considered normal when it is:
✓ Correct answer: B. About 95-100%
A typical normal pulse oximeter reading is about 95-100%. Lower readings may indicate the resident is not getting enough oxygen and should be reported.
Q24Which set of changes should the nurse aide report to the nurse right away?
✓ Correct answer: D. Pulse of 120, respirations of 28, and the resident appears short of breath
A fast pulse and fast, labored breathing together suggest distress and must be reported immediately. The other readings are within normal limits.
Q25Pain is sometimes called the 'fifth vital sign.' When a resident reports pain, the nurse aide should:
✓ Correct answer: A. Report it to the nurse and document what the resident said
Pain is subjective — believe what the resident reports. The aide documents the complaint and reports it to the nurse, who manages treatment.
Q26Orthostatic (postural) hypotension means blood pressure drops when a person:
✓ Correct answer: C. Stands up or changes position quickly
Orthostatic hypotension is a drop in blood pressure on standing, which can cause dizziness and falls. Help residents rise slowly and stay with them until steady.
Q27What is the single most important and effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
✓ Correct answer: B. Hand hygiene (handwashing)
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective action to prevent the spread of infection. It is done before and after every resident contact and after removing gloves.
Q28When washing hands with soap and water, the nurse aide should rub all surfaces for at least:
✓ Correct answer: C. 20 seconds
Hands should be scrubbed for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces including between fingers and under nails, then rinsed with fingertips pointing down.
Q29'Standard precautions' means the nurse aide treats which of the following as potentially infectious?
✓ Correct answer: A. All blood and body fluids from every resident
Under standard precautions, the blood and body fluids of every resident are treated as if they could be infectious, regardless of diagnosis.
Q30After removing soiled gloves, the nurse aide should:
✓ Correct answer: D. Perform hand hygiene
Gloves are single-use. Remove them without touching the outside, discard them, and then perform hand hygiene, because hands can still become contaminated.
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