CNA Practice Test With Answers (60 Questions)
Get comfortable with the written exam topics CNAs get tested on most: safe care steps, basic skills, communication, and resident dignity.
- Aligned with the current NNAAP-style written exam format
- See correct answers + explanations as you go
- 100% Free. No registration required.
Medically reviewed by Michele J. McCarthy, RN, MSN, CNE, nurse educator.
Learn how we review questions.
Test Details
Total Questions:
- 60 questions
Time Allotted
- Unlimited (self-paced)
Question Type
- Multiple Choice
Content Area
- Care skills, role and responsibilities, psychosocial care
This CNA Practice Test Is Built for Real Written Exam Decisions
The CNA written exam is not about memorizing random facts. Most questions test whether you can choose the safest next step, protect infection control, and respect resident rights while following the care plan.
This practice test trains you to think like the exam, especially in common situations such as reporting changes, staying in your scope, using proper PPE, preventing falls, and communicating clearly with residents and the care team.
Medically reviewed by:
Kailey R.
CNA Instructor
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Sample CNA Practice Questions
Twenty example questions from our CNA practice test, two from each area of the NNAAP exam outline, with the answer and rationale for each. Try each one before you open the answer.
Jump to: Daily living · Basic nursing · Infection control · Safety · Restorative · Mental health · Communication · Client rights · Legal & ethical · Spiritual & cultural
Activities of Daily Living
The nurse aide is feeding a resident who has had a stroke and has difficulty swallowing. Which action should the nurse aide take to prevent aspiration?
A. Position the resident flat in bed to make swallowing easier
B. Give the resident liquids first to help moisten the food
C. Position the resident upright at 90 degrees during and after meals
D. Encourage the resident to eat quickly to finish while the food is warm
Correct answer: C.
Positioning the resident upright at 90 degrees uses gravity to help move food down the esophagus and reduces the risk of food entering the airway. The resident should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after eating. A flat position increases aspiration risk because gravity cannot help direct food toward the stomach. Thin liquids are often more difficult for stroke patients with dysphagia to swallow and may require thickening. Rushing meals increases choking and aspiration risk; residents with swallowing difficulties need time to eat safely.
Activities of Daily Living
The nursing assistant is providing nail care for a resident. Which technique should the nursing assistant use for safe fingernail care?
A. Cut the nails as short as possible using scissors
B. File the nails following the natural curve of the finger
C. Soak the hands in hot water for 30 minutes before any nail care
D. Trim the nails with clippers and leave rough edges to be smoothed later
Correct answer: B.
Fingernails should be filed following the natural curve of the finger using an emery board. Filing is safer than cutting and less likely to cause jagged edges or injury.
Why the others are wrong: A. Scissors can create jagged edges and increase the risk of injury; an emery board or nail file is the preferred tool for fingernails. C. A 30-minute hot water soak is excessive and poses a burn risk; a brief warm soak may soften nails but is not required for routine nail care. D. Leaving rough edges increases the risk of skin tears and snagging on clothing or linens; the nail should be smooth after care is complete.
Basic Nursing Skills
Which of the following represents the correct selection of size for a blood pressure cuff?
A. The width of the cuff completely encircles the circumference of the arm
B. The width of the cuff is approximately 25% of the circumference of the arm
C. The width of the cuff is approximately 40% of the circumference of the arm
D. The width of the cuff is approximately 10% of the circumference of the arm
Correct answer: C.
Selection of the correct size blood pressure cuff is essential to accurate measurement. The width of a blood pressure cuff bladder should encompass approximately 40% of the circumference of the arm. A cuff completely encircling the arm would be too large; a cuff encompassing less than 40% would be too small.
Basic Nursing Skills
The nurse aide is preparing to take a resident’s oral temperature. The resident informs the nurse aide that she just finished drinking hot coffee. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Take the temperature rectally instead
B. Wait 15 to 30 minutes before taking the oral temperature
C. Proceed with taking the oral temperature immediately
D. Take the temperature under the resident’s armpit instead
Correct answer: B.
Hot or cold food and beverages can affect oral temperature readings. The nurse aide should wait 15 to 30 minutes after the resident has eaten or had a drink before taking an oral temperature to ensure accuracy. Changing to a rectal temperature requires an order and is not indicated simply because the resident drank coffee. Taking the temperature immediately will produce an inaccurate reading due to the hot beverage. Axillary temperatures are less accurate than oral temperatures and should not be substituted without reason; waiting is the appropriate action.
Infection Control
The nurse aide is providing perineal care to a female resident. Which technique is correct to prevent infection?
A. Wash from the anal area toward the urinary meatus
B. Use the same section of the washcloth for the entire procedure
C. Wash from the urinary meatus toward the anal area
D. Use circular motions around the entire perineal area
Correct answer: C.
When providing perineal care to a female resident, the nurse aide should always wash from front to back, from the urinary meatus toward the anal area. This prevents bacteria from the rectal area from entering the urinary tract and causing infection. Washing from back to front introduces rectal bacteria to the urinary meatus and increases infection risk. A clean section of the washcloth should be used for each stroke to prevent contamination. Circular motions do not follow the front-to-back principle necessary to prevent urinary tract infections.
Infection Control
A nurse aide is caring for a resident who is on droplet precautions for influenza. Which personal protective equipment should the nurse aide wear when entering the room to provide care?
A. Gloves only
B. Surgical mask and gloves
C. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
D. Gown, gloves, and face shield
Correct answer: B.
Droplet precautions require a surgical mask within 3 to 6 feet of the patient. Gloves are worn for direct contact. A gown may be added if contact with body fluids is expected. Gloves alone do not protect against respiratory droplets. An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions. A face shield is used when there is a risk of splashing; a surgical mask is the standard protection for droplet precautions.
Safety & Emergencies
The nurse aide is assisting a resident with eating breakfast. The resident begins to cough forcefully and is able to speak between coughs. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately
B. Encourage the resident to continue coughing and stay with them
C. Give the resident a glass of water to help clear the airway
D. Pat the resident firmly on the back to dislodge the obstruction
Correct answer: B.
Forceful coughing with the ability to speak indicates a partial airway obstruction. The resident should be encouraged to continue coughing, which is the body’s natural way of clearing the airway. The nurse aide should stay with the resident and monitor closely, and report to the nurse. Abdominal thrusts are performed only when the person cannot cough, speak, or breathe, indicating a complete obstruction. Giving water during choking can worsen the obstruction and increase aspiration risk. Back blows are not indicated when the person is coughing effectively; they could cause the object to move and create a complete obstruction.
Safety & Emergencies
A nurse aide finds a resident lying on the floor next to the bed. The resident is conscious and says she tried to get up to use the bathroom. What should the nurse aide do first?
A. Help the resident back into bed immediately
B. Stay with the resident and call for the nurse
C. Ask the resident why she did not use the call light
D. Complete an incident report before notifying anyone
Correct answer: B.
The nurse aide should stay with the resident to ensure safety and call for the nurse to assess for injuries before moving the resident. Moving a resident after a fall without assessment could worsen an injury. The resident should not be moved until the nurse assesses for injuries such as fractures. While understanding why the fall occurred is important for prevention, the priority is ensuring the resident’s safety and obtaining a nursing assessment. The incident report is completed after the resident has been assessed and cared for, not before.
Restorative Skills
Passive range of motion exercises are used for which of the following?
A. Increase muscle mass
B. Increase strength
C. Prevent contracture
D. Treat pressure ulcers
Correct answer: C.
Passive range of motion exercises are completed by trained staff moving the joint gently for patients who cannot do it themselves. PROM assists in preventing muscle contractures, improves circulation, and helps staff to assess joint function.
Why the others are wrong: PROM does not increase muscle mass or strength—those require active resistance exercises. PROM does not treat pressure ulcers, though improved circulation may support overall skin health.
Restorative Skills
A nurse aide is assisting a resident who uses a cane to ambulate. How should the nurse aide assist this resident?
A. Stand on the same side as the cane
B. Stand on the patient’s weaker side
C. Stand behind the patient in case they fall
D. Walk backward in front of the patient so that you can see if they fall
Correct answer: B.
A resident should hold the cane on the stronger side. The nurse aide should therefore stand on the resident’s weaker side, so that the nurse aide can support the resident if the resident begins to fall toward the weaker side.
Emotional & Mental Health Needs
The nurse aide is caring for a resident with dementia who becomes agitated and repeatedly asks to go home to see her mother. The resident’s mother passed away many years ago. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Redirect the resident’s attention to a pleasant activity
B. Tell the resident that her mother died a long time ago
C. Explain that the resident’s memory is not working correctly
D. Ignore the resident until she calms down on her own
Correct answer: A.
Residents with dementia should not be confronted with reality that may cause distress. Redirecting to a pleasant activity acknowledges the resident’s feelings and helps reduce agitation without causing emotional harm. Telling a resident with dementia that a loved one is dead can cause fresh grief each time, as they may not remember being told before. This is not therapeutic. Telling the resident her memory is incorrect is demeaning and will likely increase agitation. Ignoring an agitated resident is neglectful and does not address the resident’s emotional needs.
Emotional & Mental Health Needs
The nurse aide is caring for a dying resident. The resident’s family is present and crying at the bedside. Which action demonstrates compassion and professionalism?
A. Tell the family they need to leave so the nurse aide can provide care
B. Offer tissues and quietly ask if there is anything the family needs
C. Avoid the room until the family leaves to give them privacy
D. Tell the family not to cry because it upsets the resident
Correct answer: B.
The nurse aide should offer comfort measures and ask if the family has any needs. This demonstrates compassion and respect during a difficult time while maintaining professional boundaries. Asking the family to leave is cold and does not honor the family’s right to be with their loved one. Avoiding the room neglects the resident’s care needs and abandons the family during a critical time. Telling the family not to cry is dismissive of their grief and is inappropriate.
Communication
The CNA notices that a resident who was alert earlier in the shift is now unusually drowsy and difficult to wake up. Which response should the CNA use to communicate the observations to the nurse?
A. “Something is wrong with Mr. Lee. You need to come now.”
B. “Mr. Lee is acting weird. I think he’s dying.”
C. “I was just in the room with Mr. Lee. He is more drowsy than usual and difficult to wake.”
D. Say nothing until the nurse comes to the unit.
Correct answer: C.
Option C uses clear, objective, professional communication and reports specific observations. Vague urgency without details, speculation about the cause (the CNA cannot make an assessment that the resident might be dying), and silence are all inappropriate. Any sudden change in a resident must be reported immediately with concrete observations.
Communication
During shift report, a nurse gives instructions quickly and the nurse aide is unsure about one task. What should the aide do?
A. Nod and hope you figure it out later.
B. Interrupt the nurse and say, “You’re talking too fast.”
C. Politely ask the nurse to repeat the part you did not understand.
D. Ask another CNA to guess what the nurse meant.
Correct answer: C.
Asking politely to repeat what you did not understand is the professional response.
Why the others are wrong: A. Hoping you will figure it out could cause a mistake in the care of the residents. B. Even if the nurse is talking too fast, it is not professional to interrupt. Wait until she stops talking, then ask questions. D. Asking another CNA could also cause mistakes; the report comes from the nurse.
Client Rights
A nurse aide is preparing to give a bed bath to a resident. Which action by the nurse aide best supports the resident’s right to privacy?
A. Leaving the room door open to allow for better ventilation.
B. Closing the door and pulling the privacy curtain before starting the bath.
C. Telling the resident’s roommate to leave the room for a few minutes.
D. Explaining the procedure to the resident in a loud, clear voice.
Correct answer: B.
Closing the door and pulling the privacy curtain provides privacy for the resident. Leaving the door open does not respect privacy. Telling the roommate to leave is inappropriate unless required for their safety. Explaining the procedure loudly does not respect privacy either.
Client Rights
A nurse aide enters a resident’s room to provide morning care. The resident states, “I do not want a bath today. Leave me alone.” What should the nurse aide do?
A. Explain that baths are required and proceed with the care
B. Respect the resident’s decision and report it to the charge nurse
C. Tell the resident that refusing care is not allowed in the facility
D. Document that the resident was uncooperative and leave the room
Correct answer: B.
Residents have the right to refuse care. The nurse aide should respect this decision and report it to the charge nurse so the refusal can be documented and alternative arrangements can be made. Forcing care on a resident who has refused violates the resident’s rights and could constitute abuse. Residents have the legal right to refuse any treatment or care; telling them otherwise is incorrect and disrespectful. Describing a resident as “uncooperative” for exercising their rights is inappropriate; the nurse aide must report to the nurse, not simply leave.
Legal & Ethical Behavior
The nurse aide overhears two coworkers in the hallway discussing a resident’s HIV diagnosis. What should the nurse aide do?
A. Join the conversation to learn more about the resident’s condition
B. Ignore the conversation since it does not involve her
C. Remind the coworkers that discussing resident information is a violation of confidentiality
D. Report the coworkers to administration immediately without speaking to them
Correct answer: C.
Discussing a resident’s protected health information in a public area is a HIPAA violation. The nurse aide should remind the coworkers that this conversation is inappropriate and violates the resident’s right to confidentiality. Joining the conversation would make the nurse aide part of the confidentiality violation. Ignoring a confidentiality breach does not protect the resident’s rights and could be considered condoning the behavior. While reporting may be appropriate if the behavior continues, the first step is to address the coworkers directly and remind them of confidentiality requirements.
Legal & Ethical Behavior
A resident’s family member asks the nursing assistant to give their mother an extra pain pill. What should the nursing assistant do?
A. Give the medication if it’s available in the resident’s room.
B. Explain that you cannot give medication, but you will tell the nurse.
C. Tell the family member to give the medication themselves
D. Ignore this request; the resident is not in pain.
Correct answer: B.
The CNA should explain that she can’t give meds but will tell the nurse. This acknowledges the family’s request and the care needed.
Why the others are wrong: A. Giving a med, which is outside the scope of practice, could result in job loss. In addition, the CNA is not trained in giving medications, which could cause harm to the resident. C. Family members should not give the resident medications unless they have been approved by the doctor and the supervisor. D. CNAs cannot make an assessment; they can observe signs and report to the nurse. Ignoring the request may cause unnecessary discomfort for the resident.
Spiritual & Cultural Needs
A resident has religious beliefs that do not allow certain foods. Upon delivering her tray, the resident tells the CNA she cannot eat the tray because of her religious beliefs. What is the CNA’s next step?
A. Tell her that the kitchen has closed and she will have to eat it or wait until morning.
B. Tell the resident to call a family member to have food brought to her.
C. Take the tray out, contact the nurse in charge, and assure her that the CNA will return shortly with a tray that fits her religious beliefs.
D. Tell the resident to call a pizza delivery service since the kitchen has closed.
Correct answer: C.
A resident should never be denied food. The first step is to notify the charge nurse using the chain of command. Communicating that the CNA will return with appropriate food shows respect for the resident’s beliefs and confirms the issue is being addressed.
Spiritual & Cultural Needs
A resident comes from a culture in which extended family members play an active role in daily care and support. During your shift, the resident’s adult children, siblings, and cousins are all present and want to help with tasks such as brushing the resident’s hair, assisting with meals, and keeping the resident company. What should the CNA do?
A. Inform the cousins and siblings that only adult children can help
B. Remind the family that the resident should be doing their own care
C. Tell the family that only staff can complete daily care
D. Explain and demonstrate how the family can help with daily care
Correct answer: D.
In many cultures, extended family members participate in daily care activities as a way of showing love, respect, and support. The nurse aide should recognize and respect these cultural practices as long as the resident is safe, comfortable, and the care being provided is appropriate. The CNA reports to the nurse if there are any concerns. In some cultures, all family members are considered immediate family. Families may assist with certain tasks if it is safe and allowed by policy. Family involvement does not necessarily limit independence; in many cultures, it is a valued form of support.
Does this work for my state's CNA exam?
Yes. Your state hires a testing company to run the nurse aide exam, and which one you get depends on where you live. The company changes. The content does not. Every version tests the same nurse aide skills, so practice built on those skills works wherever you test.
| Testing company | States and territories listed on their official nurse aide pages |
|---|---|
| Prometric | Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Credentia(NNAAP) | Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Iowa, Maryland, Northern Mariana Islands, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington |
| Headmaster(D&S Diversified) | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Other(state-run or regional) | Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia |
Some states appear twice because they use more than one company, or use different ones for different programs. Your state registry or candidate handbook is the final word. Verified against each provider's own nurse aide pages and state agencies, October 2026.
Find your state's official nurse aide exam page
- Alabama Prometric · Credentia
- Alaska Credentia
- Arizona Headmaster
- Arkansas Headmaster
- California State vendor list
- Colorado Credentia
- Connecticut Prometric
- Delaware Prometric
- District of Columbia Credentia
- Florida Prometric
- Georgia Credentia
- Hawaii Prometric
- Idaho Prometric
- Illinois SIU / IDPH
- Indiana Indiana Dept. of Health
- Iowa Credentia · Headmaster
- Kansas State registry
- Kentucky Headmaster
- Louisiana Prometric
- Maine State registry
- Maryland Board of Nursing
- Massachusetts Headmaster
- Michigan Headmaster
- Minnesota Headmaster
- Mississippi Headmaster
- Missouri Headmaster
- Montana Headmaster
- Nebraska NHCA testing
- Nevada Headmaster
- New Hampshire State testing agencies
- New Jersey Headmaster
- New Mexico Headmaster
- New York Prometric
- North Carolina Credentia
- North Dakota Headmaster
- Ohio Headmaster
- Oklahoma Prometric
- Oregon Headmaster
- Pennsylvania Credentia
- Rhode Island Credentia
- South Carolina Credentia
- South Dakota Headmaster
- Tennessee Credentia
- Texas Prometric
- Utah State registry (UNAR)
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
- Virginia Credentia
- Washington Credentia
- West Virginia PHD testing
- Wisconsin Headmaster
- Wyoming Headmaster
Links go to each testing company's or state agency's own page. Checked October 2026.
Same skills, different label
Whether your handbook says Prometric, Credentia or Headmaster, the written exam covers the same nurse aide areas: physical care, infection control, safety, resident rights, communication and mental health needs.
Length varies, content doesn't
Question counts and time limits differ by company and by state. Check your candidate handbook for the exact numbers. What you need to know to pass is the same either way.
Two parts, both required
A written knowledge exam and a hands-on skills evaluation. The skills part is graded in person by an evaluator. Our CNA skills guide covers what they look for.
Common Questions
These FAQs help you prepare smarter by focusing on test format, timing, scoring goals, and how to review mistakes the right way.
Is this a Prometric CNA practice test?
It works for the Prometric exam, yes. These are our own practice questions, written to match the nurse aide content areas the exam is built on. We are not affiliated with Prometric, Credentia, Headmaster or any exam body.
Does it matter which company gives my state’s exam?
Not for studying. Prometric, Credentia and Headmaster all test the same nurse aide skills — the differences are in scheduling, format and length, not in what you need to know. Check your state’s candidate handbook for the specifics where you test.
Is there a free Prometric CNA practice test?
Yes, right here. You can take a full practice test free with no card. If you want all 1,000+ questions, the flashcards and your weak-area dashboard, CNA Standard starts with a free 3-day trial.
How close is this to the real CNA written exam?
It is designed to match the style and decision-making you see on the exam, but exact wording and topic weight can vary by state and testing provider.
Is CNA certification required to work as a CNA?
Yes. In almost every state, you must be certified and listed on your state’s Nurse Aide Registry to work as a CNA. Some employers may let you start as a trainee, but certification is required to continue working in most healthcare settings. Federal rules also require at least 75 hours of state-approved training before you can be certified.
Is this practice test free?
Yes. You can take the test and review the answers without paying.
How many questions are on this practice test?
This quiz includes 60 multiple-choice questions.
Is there a time limit?
No, this test is self-paced and you can have an unlimited amount of time.
What topics does the CNA written exam usually focus on?
Most tests lean heavily on safety, infection control, basic nursing skills, ADLs, communication, and resident rights.
What score should I aim for before exam day?
Aim for a score you can repeat on multiple attempts, not a one time lucky run. If your score swings a lot, focus on weak topics and retest after a day or two.
How much does the CNA certification exam cost?
The exam usually costs between $100 and $200, depending on your state and testing provider. This typically includes both the written or oral exam, and the clinical skills test. Sometimes training programs or employers will cover the exam fee for you.
Should I retake the same test or switch to topic quizzes?
Do both. Retake this full test to practice pacing, then use topic quizzes to improve the weaker topics.
What is the best way to review missed questions?
Write down the topic, learn the safety rule behind the correct choice, then do 10 to 20 more questions on that same topic within 24 to 48 hours.
Can I take this practice test on my phone?
Yes. It works on mobile, tablet, and desktop.
What if the quiz content does not load?
Refresh the page and try again. If it still does not load, try a different browser or temporarily turn off heavy extensions.
What should I do if I keep missing the same type of question?
Treat it like a pattern, not a mistake. Write the topic down (like PPE order, gait belt use, or resident rights), review the rule behind it, then do a short set of questions on that exact area the same day.
Are answers based on general CNA standards or one specific state?
The questions follow common CNA standards that show up across most programs, but exact rules can vary by state and test provider. If your state teaches a specific step order, follow that on test day.
What kinds of trick choices should I watch for on CNA written exams?
Look for options that sound helpful but break safety rules, skip hand hygiene, ignore the care plan, or push you outside a CNA’s scope (like diagnosing or giving medical advice).
Do I have to become a CNA before becoming a nurse?
No. Becoming a CNA is not required to become an LPN or RN. However, many future nurses may want to work as CNAs because it gives them hands-on experience, helps nursing school feel less overwhelming, and can look good on applications. Many schools require CNA or EMT certification as a prerequisite for a nursing program application.
Is the CNA exam hard?
For most students, the CNA exam is very passable with practice. The questions focus on basic care, safety, and common scenarios, not trick questions. Students who understand why answers are correct and not just what the answer is tend to do very well. The first-time passing rate for the CNA exam is nearly 85%.
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