Legal and Ethical Behavior CNA Practice Test With Answers

Question 1

You have a 75-year-old patient who has multiple bruises in different stages of healing on the torso, arms, and back. What is the next step you should take?

Accepted Answer

Report possible abuse to the abuse hotline or adult protective services. As a healthcare provider, you are a mandated reporter and must report suspected abuse. The fact that the patient's bruising is in different stages of healing suggests ongoing chronic abuse. It is normal for older adults to have bruising on their arms and hands while on blood thinners; however, this patient has bruising on the torso, arms, and back—locations that suggest non-accidental injury. Reporting directly to police is incorrect because mandated reporters follow facility protocol, which typically involves reporting to adult protective services or the designated abuse hotline. Doing nothing is never appropriate when abuse is suspected.

Question 2

You are caring for a patient who tells you, "I overheard the nurse telling my roommate that my roommate has cancer. Is he going to be okay? What type of cancer is it?" You know that you should

Accepted Answer

Explain to your patient that his roommate's health is confidential and encourage your patient to speak to his roommate about his diagnosis. HIPAA protects each patient's confidential health information. Even though the patients are friends, the CNA cannot share any information about another patient's health status. The appropriate response is to explain that the roommate's health information is confidential and encourage direct communication between the friends. Option B is a HIPAA violation regardless of the friendship. Option C is inappropriate because the nurse should not have been discussing the diagnosis where it could be overheard, and directing the patient to that nurse does not resolve the confidentiality issue. Option D inappropriately involves family members in sharing protected health information. Additionally, the CNA should report the overheard HIPAA breach to the charge nurse.

Question 3

You have a coworker who is verbally abusing a patient as you are walking by the patient's room. What is your first step of action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately report this to your nurse supervisor or director of nursing. Verbal abuse is a form of patient abuse and must be reported immediately to the nurse supervisor or director of nursing. CNAs are mandated reporters and must report any suspected abuse. Verbal abuse can cause emotional and psychological harm to patients. Option A, while well-intentioned, may escalate the situation and does not follow proper reporting procedures. Option B delays reporting and may allow the abuse to continue. Option D is inappropriate because family members are not responsible for addressing staff misconduct—this is a facility and supervisory responsibility.

Question 4

You are involved in a situation at work, and your nurse supervisor explains that you can be charged with aiding and abetting. Which situation could bring about an aiding and abetting charge?

Accepted Answer

Witnessing abuse by a coworker and not reporting it. Aiding and abetting is a legal term meaning to assist, encourage, or facilitate a crime. If you witness abuse and fail to report it, you are legally considered to have aided the abuser. This can result in criminal charges against you as well as the abuser. Option A is a HIPAA violation but not aiding and abetting. Option B is neglect, not aiding and abetting. Option D, while potentially problematic depending on circumstances, relates to fall protocol—the CNA should stay with the patient and call for help, but this is not aiding and abetting.

Question 5

You have a patient in soft wrist restraints. You must check the wrist restraints per the physician's orders to ensure the patient's safety. Failure to do this can result in charges for

Accepted Answer

Neglect. Neglect is defined as failure to provide necessary care, resulting in harm or risk of harm to a patient. Failing to check restraints as ordered can lead to serious complications including circulation problems, skin breakdown, and nerve damage. This constitutes neglect because it represents a failure to provide required care. Option B, aiding and abetting, involves assisting someone else in committing a harmful act. Option C, false documentation, involves recording inaccurate information. Option D, incidental harm, is not a standard legal charge in healthcare settings.

Question 6

You walk into your patient's room and the patient is not breathing. You know that this patient has a DNR (do not resuscitate) order. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Immediately notify the nurse taking care of the patient. When a patient with a DNR order stops breathing, the nursing assistant should immediately notify the nurse taking care of the patient. The DNR is a legal document that reflects the patient's wishes, and it is unethical to attempt to influence the family to change this decision. The nurse will follow facility protocol, which includes notifying the family and providing comfort care. Option A delays notification and inappropriately suggests influencing the family's decision. Option C violates the patient's documented wishes. Option D delays appropriate notification and questions the patient's established wishes.

Question 7

You have a patient who wants a copy of his chart to provide to his cardiologist. What is your response to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Direct the patient to the medical records department. Patients have the legal right to access and obtain copies of their own medical records under HIPAA. The medical records department handles requests for copies of patient charts and can assist the patient with the proper process. Option B is incorrect because while the chart is confidential, patients have the right to their own records. Option C is incorrect because CEO permission is not required for patients to access their own records. Option D is incorrect because patients do not need legal representation to obtain their own medical records.

Question 8

A patient's family wants to give you a gift card to Starbucks for taking such great care of their family member. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Politely refuse the gift card. It is unethical to accept gifts or monetary items from patients or their family members. Accepting gifts can create perceived or actual conflicts of interest and may blur professional boundaries. Most healthcare facilities have policies prohibiting staff from accepting gifts. The appropriate response is to politely decline and explain that you appreciate the sentiment but cannot accept gifts. All other options involve accepting the gift, which violates professional ethics and typically facility policy.

Question 9

You have a patient on the psychiatry unit who is combative and is trying to hit you. What is your reaction?

Accepted Answer

Slowly back away from the patient while using a calm tone to de-escalate the situation. The best approach with an agitated, combative patient is to use de-escalation techniques. This includes maintaining a calm tone, creating physical distance by slowly backing away, and avoiding actions that could further agitate the patient. Yelling can escalate the situation and trigger more aggressive behavior. Immediately leaving could result in the patient harming themselves or others. Yelling for a sedative is inappropriate because medication decisions are made by licensed providers, not requested by CNAs, and yelling may further agitate the patient. De-escalation should always be attempted first.

Question 10

You are working on your unit and the nurse asks you, "Please take this cup of medication and give it to Room 5." What is your next step?

Accepted Answer

Tell the nurse that giving medication is outside your scope of practice and report this to the nursing supervisor. Administering medication is outside the CNA scope of practice in all states. CNAs cannot give medications by any route, including oral medications. The appropriate response is to decline the task, explain that it is outside your scope of practice, and report the request to the nursing supervisor. This report is important because the nurse may be asking other CNAs to perform tasks outside their scope, which puts patients at risk. Option A would be practicing outside your scope and potentially dangerous. Option B does not address the scope-of-practice issue. Option D is inappropriate because a CNA cannot administer medication even with supervision.

Question 11

You witnessed a patient fall and are reporting what happened to the nurse in charge. You should

Accepted Answer

State facts only. When reporting an incident, the nursing assistant should state only the facts—what was observed, when it occurred, and the patient's condition. Opinions and assumptions should not be included. An incident report should be completed separately and sent to administration for review; falls are not documented in the patient's medical chart as "incidents." It is outside the CNA's scope of practice to contact family members about incidents—this responsibility belongs to the licensed nurse. Option B introduces subjective information. Option C is incorrect procedure for incident documentation. Option D exceeds the CNA's scope of practice.

Question 12

You are feeding a patient with dementia when another patient with dementia makes a sexual pass at the patient you are feeding. What is your response?

Accepted Answer

Report it to the charge nurse because a patient with dementia cannot give consent. Patients with dementia lack the cognitive capacity to give informed consent to sexual activity. When one patient with dementia makes a sexual advance toward another patient with dementia, this must be reported to the charge nurse immediately. The nurse can assess the situation and implement appropriate interventions to protect both patients. Option B is ineffective because a patient with dementia may not understand or remember the request. Option C ignores the consent issue and puts a vulnerable patient at risk. Option D is inappropriate because neither patient can give informed consent, regardless of location.

Question 13

You and a coworker are charting on the computer. Your coworker gets up and walks away without logging off the computer. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA violation. Failing to log off a computer that contains protected health information (PHI) is a HIPAA violation. HIPAA requires that PHI be protected from unauthorized access. When a healthcare worker leaves a computer logged in, anyone passing by could potentially view or access confidential patient information. Healthcare workers should always log off completely when stepping away from a computer. This violation can result in disciplinary action, including termination, and potentially legal penalties. Option A, negligence, refers to failure to provide proper care. Option B, defamation, involves false statements that damage reputation. Option D, malpractice, typically refers to professional misconduct by licensed providers.

Question 14

According to the OBRA law of 1987, nursing assistants must complete minimum requirements for training and in-services. The OBRA law was passed to decrease what?

Accepted Answer

Neglect and abuse. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 established federal standards for nursing home care, including minimum training requirements for nursing assistants. The law was enacted in response to widespread reports of neglect and abuse in long-term care facilities. By requiring standardized training and competency evaluation, OBRA aims to ensure nursing assistants have the knowledge and skills to provide safe, appropriate care. Option A, defamation, is a legal term related to false statements that damage reputation—not the focus of OBRA. Option B, malpractice, typically applies to licensed professionals. Option D, physical harm, is too narrow—OBRA addresses the broader issues of neglect and abuse.

Question 15

You have a confused patient who frequently uses her call light but often does not need anything specific. You know she is lonely and wants someone to talk to. You are busy and decide not to answer her call light because she probably only wants to talk. You know this can be seen as what?

Accepted Answer

Neglect or abuse. Failing to respond to a call light is a form of neglect, which is the failure to provide necessary care. Even if the patient frequently calls without a specific physical need, loneliness and the need for human contact are legitimate concerns. Additionally, you cannot assume what the patient needs—she may have a genuine emergency. Call lights must always be answered in a timely manner. Option A, false imprisonment, involves unlawfully restricting someone's movement. Option B, breaking HIPAA, involves unauthorized disclosure of health information. Option D, while emotional harm may result from neglect, is not a standard legal or clinical term used to describe this type of failure.

Question 16

You have a patient who has recently been to his oncologist. The oncologist informed the patient's daughter that the patient's cancer has returned. The daughter tells you this but asks you not to tell the patient. How would you approach this situation?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the daughter to inform the patient of the diagnosis because the patient has a right to know. Patients have the right to be informed about their own health conditions. Withholding information from a patient violates their autonomy and is unethical. It is the responsibility of the oncologist to inform the patient of the cancer diagnosis, not the daughter or the CNA. The CNA should encourage the daughter to support open communication. Option A is incorrect because it violates the patient's right to know. Option C is incorrect because family members do not have the right to withhold medical information from competent adult patients. Option D is incorrect because this situation does not constitute abuse requiring a hotline report—the appropriate response is encouragement and education.

Question 17

You have a patient who is admitted to your unit and is friends with another patient you sent to the hospital last week. Your patient asks how their friend in the hospital is doing. What is your response?

Accepted Answer

"I'm not allowed to give out personal information, but you can call the hospital to speak with him.". Even though the patients are friends, sharing any information about another patient's health status, condition, or prognosis is a HIPAA violation. The appropriate response is to explain that you cannot share personal information and suggest the patient contact their friend directly. Option A shares information about the patient's condition and prognosis. Option B shares information about discharge plans. Option D, while acknowledging confidentiality, then immediately violates it by sharing information about the patient's behavior.

Question 18

You have a patient who had a fall. You must write an incident report. What is the reason for an incident report?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns and trends and to prevent further incidents. Incident reports document unusual events in healthcare settings and serve as quality improvement tools. Review committees analyze incident reports to identify patterns and trends that may indicate systemic problems. This information helps facilities develop policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents. Option B is incorrect because incident reports are not about assigning blame—they are about improving safety. Option C is incorrect because incident reports are not used to communicate patient status to physicians. Option D is incorrect because incident reports are internal documents, not records for family members.

Question 19

Who does the nursing assistant directly report to?

Accepted Answer

The licensed nurse. In healthcare facilities, there is a chain of command. The nursing assistant reports directly to the licensed nurse (LPN or RN) assigned to supervise their work. The director of nursing, administrator, and CEO are higher in the organizational structure but are not the direct supervisors of nursing assistants. If the nursing assistant has concerns about the licensed nurse's conduct, they should then report to the nursing supervisor or director of nursing following the chain of command.

Question 20

You have a patient who has received bad news about her husband. Before reaching out to hold her hand, what should you consider?

Accepted Answer

What is the patient's cultural background. Cultural background significantly influences how people perceive and respond to touch. In Western culture, touch is often used to offer comfort and support. However, some cultures have different norms regarding physical contact. For example, in some Muslim cultures, touch from someone of the opposite sex who is not a family member may be considered inappropriate. The nursing assistant should be culturally sensitive and may ask permission before offering physical comfort. Option A, race, does not determine cultural practices. Option C, psychological health issues, while important for overall care, is not the primary consideration for offering comfort through touch. Option D, whether the patient is crying, does not determine whether touch is culturally appropriate.

Legal and Ethical Behavior CNA Practice Test With Answers

Test Details

This Legal and Ethical Behavior Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Michele J. McCarthy

Molly W.

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Common Questions We Always Get

What does legal and ethical behavior mean for a CNA?

What is the safest action if you are unsure whether a task is allowed?

How should a CNA respond if a resident refuses care?

What is considered a HIPAA violation for a CNA?

When must a CNA report suspected abuse or neglect?

What should a CNA do after a fall or injury happens?

Can a CNA accept gifts or money from a resident?

What are professional boundaries in CNA work?

What is the correct way to document care legally?

Do I get instant feedback after each question?

Do I need to create an account to start the quiz?

Why does it ask for my email at the end?

Legal and Ethical Behavior CNA Practice Test With Answers

Test Details

This Legal and Ethical Behavior Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Molly W.

Wanna Try Unlimited?

Pass the exam — and get certified.

Start a Free 3-Day Trial

Free for 3 days

Pass Guarantee—pass or your money back

1,000+ questions, every NNAAP domain

Reviewed by a nurse educator

100,000+ students prepped with AHC

— Yasmin, U.S.

More CNA Practice Tests

Common Questions We Always Get

What does legal and ethical behavior mean for a CNA?

What is the safest action if you are unsure whether a task is allowed?

How should a CNA respond if a resident refuses care?

What is considered a HIPAA violation for a CNA?

When must a CNA report suspected abuse or neglect?

What should a CNA do after a fall or injury happens?

Can a CNA accept gifts or money from a resident?

What are professional boundaries in CNA work?

What is the correct way to document care legally?

Do I get instant feedback after each question?

Do I need to create an account to start the quiz?

Why does it ask for my email at the end?

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