CNA – CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS
- COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
(2026/2027)
1. When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, the CNA should
position the patient:
A) Flat on their back
B) In a semi-Fowler’s position
C) On their side with the head turned
D) In a high Fowler’s position
Answer: C) On their side with the head turned
Explanation: Positioning an unconscious patient on their side with the head
turned prevents aspiration (choking on fluids). Fluids can drain out of the mouth
rather than into the airway. Never place an unconscious patient flat on their
back during oral care.
2. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg. Which part of this
reading is the diastolic pressure?
A) 148
B) 92
C) Both numbers together
D) Neither number
Answer: B) 92
,Explanation: Blood pressure is written as systolic/diastolic. The systolic pressure
(top number, 148) is the pressure when the heart contracts. The diastolic
pressure (bottom number, 92) is the pressure when the heart relaxes between
beats. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg.
3. The normal resting heart rate for an adult is:
A) 40–60 beats per minute
B) 60–100 beats per minute
C) 100–120 beats per minute
D) 120–160 beats per minute
Answer: B) 60–100 beats per minute
Explanation: A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute
(bpm). Bradycardia is a rate below 60 bpm; tachycardia is above 100 bpm.
Always report abnormal readings to the nurse immediately.
4. When taking an oral temperature, how long should the thermometer
remain in place if using a glass thermometer?
A) 30 seconds
B) 1 minute
C) 3–5 minutes
D) 10 minutes
Answer: C) 3–5 minutes
Explanation: A glass thermometer should remain under the tongue for 3–5
minutes to obtain an accurate reading. Electronic thermometers beep when
ready and are much faster. Oral temperature is contraindicated for unconscious,
confused, or mouth-breathing patients.
,5. Normal oral temperature for an adult is:
A) 96.8°F (36°C)
B) 98.6°F (37°C)
C) 100.4°F (38°C)
D) 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Answer: B) 98.6°F (37°C)
Explanation: The normal oral temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). A temperature
above 100.4°F (38°C) is considered a fever (pyrexia). Rectal temperatures are
approximately 1°F higher, and axillary temperatures are approximately 1°F
lower than oral.
6. When counting respirations, the CNA should:
A) Tell the patient they are going to count their breaths
B) Count without letting the patient know
C) Ask the patient to breathe normally while counting
D) Count while the patient is talking
Answer: B) Count without letting the patient know
Explanation: Patients alter their breathing pattern if they know it is being
observed. The CNA should count respirations unobtrusively, often while
pretending to continue measuring the pulse. One respiration = one inhalation
plus one exhalation.
7. The normal respiratory rate for an adult is:
A) 6–10 breaths per minute
, B) 12–20 breaths per minute
C) 20–30 breaths per minute
D) 30–40 breaths per minute
Answer: B) 12–20 breaths per minute
Explanation: A normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute. Rates
below 12 (bradypnea) or above 20 (tachypnea) should be reported to the nurse.
Labored or noisy breathing must also always be reported.
8. When performing a bed bath, which area should be washed LAST?
A) Face
B) Arms
C) Perineal area
D) Abdomen
Answer: C) Perineal area
Explanation: The perineal area (genitals and buttocks) is washed last to prevent
cross-contamination. The CNA should always work from clean to dirty. Fresh
water and washcloths should be used for the perineal area to prevent the spread
of bacteria.
9. When performing hand hygiene, hands should be washed for at least:
A) 10 seconds
B) 15 seconds
C) 20 seconds
D) 45 seconds
- COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
(2026/2027)
1. When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, the CNA should
position the patient:
A) Flat on their back
B) In a semi-Fowler’s position
C) On their side with the head turned
D) In a high Fowler’s position
Answer: C) On their side with the head turned
Explanation: Positioning an unconscious patient on their side with the head
turned prevents aspiration (choking on fluids). Fluids can drain out of the mouth
rather than into the airway. Never place an unconscious patient flat on their
back during oral care.
2. A patient’s blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg. Which part of this
reading is the diastolic pressure?
A) 148
B) 92
C) Both numbers together
D) Neither number
Answer: B) 92
,Explanation: Blood pressure is written as systolic/diastolic. The systolic pressure
(top number, 148) is the pressure when the heart contracts. The diastolic
pressure (bottom number, 92) is the pressure when the heart relaxes between
beats. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg.
3. The normal resting heart rate for an adult is:
A) 40–60 beats per minute
B) 60–100 beats per minute
C) 100–120 beats per minute
D) 120–160 beats per minute
Answer: B) 60–100 beats per minute
Explanation: A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute
(bpm). Bradycardia is a rate below 60 bpm; tachycardia is above 100 bpm.
Always report abnormal readings to the nurse immediately.
4. When taking an oral temperature, how long should the thermometer
remain in place if using a glass thermometer?
A) 30 seconds
B) 1 minute
C) 3–5 minutes
D) 10 minutes
Answer: C) 3–5 minutes
Explanation: A glass thermometer should remain under the tongue for 3–5
minutes to obtain an accurate reading. Electronic thermometers beep when
ready and are much faster. Oral temperature is contraindicated for unconscious,
confused, or mouth-breathing patients.
,5. Normal oral temperature for an adult is:
A) 96.8°F (36°C)
B) 98.6°F (37°C)
C) 100.4°F (38°C)
D) 101.2°F (38.4°C)
Answer: B) 98.6°F (37°C)
Explanation: The normal oral temperature is 98.6°F (37°C). A temperature
above 100.4°F (38°C) is considered a fever (pyrexia). Rectal temperatures are
approximately 1°F higher, and axillary temperatures are approximately 1°F
lower than oral.
6. When counting respirations, the CNA should:
A) Tell the patient they are going to count their breaths
B) Count without letting the patient know
C) Ask the patient to breathe normally while counting
D) Count while the patient is talking
Answer: B) Count without letting the patient know
Explanation: Patients alter their breathing pattern if they know it is being
observed. The CNA should count respirations unobtrusively, often while
pretending to continue measuring the pulse. One respiration = one inhalation
plus one exhalation.
7. The normal respiratory rate for an adult is:
A) 6–10 breaths per minute
, B) 12–20 breaths per minute
C) 20–30 breaths per minute
D) 30–40 breaths per minute
Answer: B) 12–20 breaths per minute
Explanation: A normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute. Rates
below 12 (bradypnea) or above 20 (tachypnea) should be reported to the nurse.
Labored or noisy breathing must also always be reported.
8. When performing a bed bath, which area should be washed LAST?
A) Face
B) Arms
C) Perineal area
D) Abdomen
Answer: C) Perineal area
Explanation: The perineal area (genitals and buttocks) is washed last to prevent
cross-contamination. The CNA should always work from clean to dirty. Fresh
water and washcloths should be used for the perineal area to prevent the spread
of bacteria.
9. When performing hand hygiene, hands should be washed for at least:
A) 10 seconds
B) 15 seconds
C) 20 seconds
D) 45 seconds
