CNA Promotion of Safety Practice Test with Answers

Question 1

What is your FIRST step when you find a resident not breathing and without a pulse?

Accepted Answer

Call for help. When a resident is not breathing and without a pulse, the first step is to call for help immediately. This can include calling for assistance from other staff members, calling 911, or activating an emergency response system. Once help has been summoned, the nurse or other staff members can take steps to administer CPR and other life-saving measures.

Question 2

When using a transfer belt to move a resident from bed to wheelchair, the nursing assistant should:

Accepted Answer

Place the belt over the resident's clothing around the waist. A is correct. The transfer belt (gait belt) should be placed over clothing around the resident's waist, snug enough to be secure but with room to fit fingers underneath. B is incorrect because placing the belt around the chest can restrict breathing and cause injury. C is incorrect because the belt should be around the waist, not the arms, to provide proper support and leverage during transfer. D is incorrect because a loose belt could slip during transfer, causing falls or injury.

Question 3

The CNA is walking with a resident when they begin to fall. Which action by the CNA is correct?

Accepted Answer

Lean the resident towards you and lower them to the floor. D is correct. Lean the resident towards you and lower them to the floor. A is incorrect because holding the resident can hurt the resident and yourself. B and C are incorrect because you should never leave an unstable resident alone.

Question 4

The nurse aide is preparing to bathe a resident in a tub. Before placing the resident in the tub, which action is most important for the nurse aide to take?

Accepted Answer

Check the water temperature with a thermometer or the inside of the wrist. Checking water temperature before a bath is essential to prevent burns. Elderly residents often have decreased sensation and cannot accurately judge water temperature. Water should be between 100°F and 105°F (37.7°C to 40.5°C). A thermometer or the sensitive skin of the inner wrist should be used. Bath additives are not a safety priority and may cause skin irritation in some residents; temperature check comes first. Filling the tub increases drowning risk and makes transfers more difficult; tubs should be filled to an appropriate level. Space heaters pose fire and electrical hazards in bathrooms with water; facility heating systems should be used.

Question 5

A nurse aide notices that a resident's bed is in the highest position and the call light is on the floor. The resident is not in the room. What should the nurse aide do?

Accepted Answer

Lower the bed, place the call light within reach, and report to the nurse. A bed left in high position with the call light out of reach creates a fall hazard when the resident returns. The nurse aide should immediately correct these safety issues by lowering the bed and placing the call light within reach. Reporting to the nurse ensures the situation is documented and the resident's whereabouts are confirmed. Leaving the room in an unsafe state puts the resident at risk for falls upon return. Raising bilateral side rails does not address the bed height or call light issue and may be considered a restraint depending on the resident's care plan. Waiting delays correction of hazards and does not account for where the resident is or whether they left safely.

Question 6

The nurse aide is making an occupied bed for a resident who is on bedrest. Which action is correct?

Accepted Answer

Lower the side rail on the working side and raise the side rail on the opposite side. When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should lower the side rail on the side being worked on for access, while keeping the opposite side rail raised to prevent the resident from rolling out of bed. This maintains safety throughout the procedure. Lowering both side rails removes the barrier protecting the resident from falling off the opposite side while being repositioned. A resident on bedrest should not stand; occupied bed-making techniques allow sheets to be changed without the resident leaving the bed. The head of the bed may be adjusted for the resident's comfort and to prevent aspiration if tolerated; keeping it completely flat is not always required or appropriate.

Question 7

A nurse aide is pushing a resident in a wheelchair toward an elevator. Which action demonstrates safe wheelchair transport?

Accepted Answer

Pull the wheelchair into the elevator backward so the resident exits forward. When entering an elevator with a wheelchair, the chair should be pulled in backward so the resident faces the doors. This allows the resident to exit forward, which is safer than backing out into an unknown space. Entering forward means the resident must back out of the elevator, which limits visibility and increases the risk of collision with people or objects outside. Rushing increases the risk of the wheelchair wheels catching on the elevator gap or door track, potentially causing a fall. Elevator doors should never be held open by a resident's hands or the wheelchair; the nurse aide should use the door hold button or wait for the next elevator.

Question 8

You see a cup of medications sitting on the table in the dining room. What should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Remove the medications from the table. The first step when medications are found unattended in a public space is to remove them from the area to ensure that other residents do not accidentally take them. After the medications are removed, the nurse or other staff members can take further steps to determine which medications are missing and ensure that the resident receives the correct dose.

Question 9

You are showering a resident when you hear the fire alarm sound. What is your initial step?

Accepted Answer

Turn off the water and evacuate the resident immediately. In the event of a fire alarm, it is important to prioritize the safety of residents and staff. The first step is to turn off any running water or electrical equipment and immediately evacuate the resident to a safe location. Do not continue with the shower or complete any other tasks before evacuating, as this can put both you and the resident at risk.

Question 10

The CNA hears a resident's chair alarm go off. Which action should the CNA take?

Accepted Answer

Check on the resident and help them. C is correct. Check on the resident and help them. A is incorrect because you should never ignore an alarm; it could be an emergency. B is incorrect because you should check on the resident before notifying the nurse. D is incorrect because waiting on anyone else to help is unprofessional and does not help the resident.

Question 11

A nurse aide is caring for a resident who uses a walker. The resident asks to go to the bathroom. Before assisting the resident, which action should the nurse aide take first?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the resident is wearing non-skid footwear. Ensuring the resident wears non-skid footwear prevents slips and falls during ambulation. Proper footwear is a basic fall prevention measure that should be verified before any transfer or ambulation activity. Helping the resident stand quickly increases fall risk; transfers should be done slowly and carefully with proper body mechanics. Delaying toileting is inappropriate and may lead to incontinence or the resident attempting to walk alone, increasing fall risk. The walker should remain within the resident's reach and control; pushing it ahead removes the resident's support device.

Question 12

A resident tells the nurse aide, "I'm going to kill myself. I have nothing left to live for." Which action should the nurse aide take?

Accepted Answer

Stay with the resident and immediately notify the nurse. Any statement of suicidal intent must be taken seriously. The nurse aide should stay with the resident to ensure safety and immediately notify the nurse using the call light or by calling out for assistance. The resident should never be left alone after expressing suicidal thoughts. Minimizing or dismissing the resident's statement does not address the safety risk and may cause the resident to feel unheard. Leaving the resident, even briefly, creates an opportunity for self-harm; the nurse aide should stay and summon help by other means. Suicidal statements require immediate reporting, not end-of-shift documentation; delaying the report puts the resident at risk.

Question 13

Your resident keeps her room very cluttered. For her safety and the safety of the staff, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the issue with the charge nurse or supervisor. A cluttered room can pose safety hazards for both the resident and staff. However, it is not appropriate to ignore the clutter or clean it up yourself without permission. Instead, you should discuss the issue with the charge nurse or supervisor to develop a plan to address the clutter and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Question 14

Which of the following observed in a resident's room would be considered a safety hazard and must be reported?

Accepted Answer

There is a lamp cord on the floor in front of the chair. A is correct. A lamp cord in front of the chair is a safety hazard; it could easily be tripped on. B is incorrect because a chair should have firm armrests and no wheels for safety. C is incorrect because a night light is a safety feature. D is incorrect because the bed should be in the lowest position so the resident does not fall out of bed.

Question 15

A nurse aide enters a resident's room and smells smoke. The resident is not in the room, and the nurse aide sees flames coming from the wastebasket. What should the nurse aide do first?

Accepted Answer

Pull the fire alarm and close the door to contain the fire. Following the RACE protocol (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish), the nurse aide should first ensure any residents are out of immediate danger (the room is empty), then pull the fire alarm to alert others and close the door to contain the fire and smoke. This protects other residents and staff while emergency responders are summoned. Opening a window feeds oxygen to the fire and can cause it to spread; doors and windows should be closed to contain fire and smoke. Searching for the resident delays sounding the alarm; the resident is not in the room, so the immediate priority is alerting staff and containing the fire. Water should not be used on all types of fires and can be dangerous with electrical fires; the nurse aide should use the appropriate fire extinguisher only after the alarm is pulled and others are alerted.

Question 16

A nurse aide is feeding a resident who has difficulty swallowing. The resident begins to cough and turn red while eating. Which action should the nurse aide take first?

Accepted Answer

Stop feeding and allow the resident to cough. When a resident coughs while eating, this indicates the airway protective reflexes are working. The nurse aide should stop feeding immediately and allow the resident to cough, which may clear the airway naturally. Coughing is an effective way to expel an obstruction. The nurse aide should stay with the resident and observe closely. Offering water to someone who is coughing and possibly choking can cause aspiration of the liquid into the lungs, worsening the situation. Abdominal thrusts are indicated when the resident cannot cough, speak, or breathe—signs of a complete obstruction. If the resident is coughing forcefully, the airway is not completely blocked. Continuing to feed a resident who is coughing increases aspiration risk and is unsafe.

Question 17

The nurse aide is caring for a resident who has been placed on fall precautions. Which intervention is appropriate for this resident?

Accepted Answer

Keep the bed in the lowest position when the resident is in bed. Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the distance a resident would fall if they attempt to get out of bed, minimizing injury risk. This is a standard fall precaution intervention. Restraints require a physician's order and are used only as a last resort; they are not a routine fall prevention measure and can increase injury risk. A closed door makes it harder to observe the resident and may delay response to a fall; fall precaution residents often need increased visibility and monitoring. Encouraging prolonged bed rest leads to deconditioning, weakness, and actually increases fall risk over time; mobility should be encouraged with appropriate assistance.

Question 18

You are caring for a resident who reports that she is having stools with bright red blood. What should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Notify the charge nurse or supervisor. When a resident reports having stools with bright red blood, it is important to notify the charge nurse or supervisor immediately. This symptom could indicate a serious medical condition that requires prompt attention, such as a gastrointestinal bleed. The healthcare team can then take appropriate steps to assess the resident and provide necessary interventions.

Question 19

You are caring for a diabetic resident who you find sweating and is only able to mumble words. What is your initial step?

Accepted Answer

Call for help immediately. When a diabetic resident is experiencing symptoms such as sweating and confusion, the first step is to get help. The nurse may ask you to check their blood sugar level to determine whether their symptoms are due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If the resident's blood sugar is low, providing a sugary snack may be appropriate. It is not within the scope of practice for a CNA to assess.

Question 20

A nurse aide is about to reposition a resident in bed. Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics?

Accepted Answer

Bend at the knees and keep the back straight. Proper body mechanics require bending at the knees (not the waist) and keeping the back straight to protect the spine. This technique uses the strong leg muscles rather than the weaker back muscles and reduces risk of injury to the nurse aide. Bending at the waist places excessive strain on the lower back and increases the risk of back injury. Feet should be shoulder-width apart to provide a stable base of support; keeping feet close together reduces balance and stability. Twisting at the waist while lifting or moving a resident strains the spine; the nurse aide should pivot with the feet rather than twist.

CNA Promotion of Safety Practice Test with Answers

Test Details

This Safety Practice Test Is Built for Real CNA Judgment

Michele J. McCarthy

Molly W.

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Common Questions We Always Get

What safety and emergency topics show up most on the CNA exam?

What is the first thing I should do if I find a resident on the floor?

How do I remember the fire safety protocols?

What is the most important rule for body mechanics?

What is the biggest “trap” in safety questions?

What are the rules for oxygen safety?

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CNA Promotion of Safety Practice Test with Answers

Test Details

This Safety 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 safety and emergency topics show up most on the CNA exam?

What is the first thing I should do if I find a resident on the floor?

How do I remember the fire safety protocols?

What is the most important rule for body mechanics?

What is the biggest “trap” in safety questions?

What are the rules for oxygen safety?

Can I use this practice set on my phone?

How do I stop getting tricked by “two correct answers”?

Is the premium trial required?

What should I do after I finish this practice set?

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