CNA Practice Test

What the CNA written test covers, and how to study it

Physical care skills are the largest part of the exam. These questions cover the daily hands-on care a nurse aide provides: helping residents bathe, dress, eat, use the toilet, and move safely, along with taking and recording vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. You will also see items on skin care and preventing pressure sores, proper body mechanics when lifting or transferring a resident, and recognizing changes in a person's condition so you can report them to the nurse. Focus on the correct order of steps and on doing each task in a way that keeps the resident safe and comfortable.

Safety and infection control questions test how you protect residents, coworkers, and yourself from harm. A central topic is standard precautions and hand hygiene — knowing when and how to wash your hands and when to wear gloves, a gown, or a mask to stop the spread of germs. You will also see questions on preventing falls and accidents, fire and emergency safety, using equipment correctly, and responding to choking or other urgent situations. When in doubt, the safest answer usually protects the resident first and follows the facility's established procedure.

Residents' rights and the nurse-aide role make up the third area. Residents have legal rights — to privacy, dignity, respect, freedom from abuse or neglect, and a say in their own care — and the exam checks that you understand and uphold them. This section also covers clear, respectful communication with residents and families, honest documentation, and knowing the limits of your role: what a nurse aide may do independently, what must be reported to the nurse, and when to ask for help. Many questions describe a situation and ask what a responsible aide should do, so read for the answer that respects the resident and stays within your scope of practice.

The best way to study is one section at a time. Start with physical care skills, since it is the biggest area, then move to safety and infection control, and finish with residents' rights and role. Answer a set of questions, read the explanations for the ones you miss, and come back to that topic until the answers feel natural. Because the real skills test asks you to perform tasks step by step, it helps to picture yourself doing each procedure while you practice. Studying a little every day works better than cramming, and switching between languages here can help you lock in both the concept and the English terms you'll see on exam day.