Comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant
Final Exam Review Featuring Updated
Practice Questions, Clinical Skills Concepts
& NCLEX-Style Rationales
• This guide contains 200 practice questions covering all core CNA exam topics —
use it by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before checking the
correct one, and reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Each question includes 5 options (A–E), a clearly marked correct answer, and a
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for timed self-quizzes, group study, or final
review sessions.
QUESTION 1
When providing perineal care to a female resident, which direction should the
nursing assistant wipe?
A. From back to front
B. Side to side
C. In a circular motion
D. From front to back
E. From the outer thigh inward
CORRECT ANSWER: D. From front to back
EXPERT RATIONALE: Wiping from front to back prevents the transfer of bacteria from
the rectal area to the urethra, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
QUESTION 2
A resident has the right to refuse treatment. This right is protected under
which principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Paternalism
,C. Autonomy
D. Justice
E. Fidelity
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Autonomy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Autonomy refers to a person's right to make their own decisions,
including the right to refuse medical treatment, regardless of the caregiver's opinion.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct order of the handwashing steps?
A. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse, dry, turn off faucet
B. Apply soap, wet hands, scrub, rinse, dry
C. Wet hands, apply soap, scrub at least 20 seconds, rinse, dry, turn off faucet with
paper towel
D. Rinse hands, apply soap, scrub, dry, turn off faucet
E. Wet hands, scrub without soap, rinse, dry
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wet hands, apply soap, scrub at least 20 seconds,
rinse, dry, turn off faucet with paper towel
EXPERT RATIONALE: Proper hand hygiene requires wetting first, then soap, scrubbing
for a minimum of 20 seconds to eliminate pathogens, rinsing thoroughly, drying, and
using a paper towel to turn off the faucet to avoid recontamination.
QUESTION 4
A resident is in the supine position. What does this mean?
A. Lying on their stomach
B. Sitting upright in bed
,C. Lying on their side
D. Lying on their back
E. Semi-reclined at 45 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Lying on their back
EXPERT RATIONALE: The supine position means the patient is lying flat on their back,
face upward. This is a common position used during many care procedures.
QUESTION 5
When taking an oral temperature, how long should a glass thermometer
remain in place?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 3–5 minutes
D. 30 seconds
E. 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3–5 minutes
EXPERT RATIONALE: A glass thermometer should remain under the tongue for 3–5
minutes to obtain an accurate oral temperature reading.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following vital signs is considered normal for an adult?
A. Pulse: 110 bpm, Respirations: 24/min
B. Blood pressure: 160/100 mmHg
C. Temperature: 98.6°F, Pulse: 72 bpm, Respirations: 16/min
D. Temperature: 100.4°F, Pulse: 100 bpm
, E. Blood pressure: 90/50 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Temperature: 98.6°F, Pulse: 72 bpm, Respirations:
16/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal adult vital signs are temperature 97–99°F, pulse 60–100
bpm, respirations 12–20/min, and blood pressure 120/80 mmHg. Option C falls within
all normal ranges.
QUESTION 7
A nursing assistant notices a resident has a red area on their coccyx that does
not blanch. This is classified as a:
A. Stage II pressure ulcer
B. Stage I pressure ulcer
C. Deep tissue injury
D. Stage III pressure ulcer
E. Skin tear
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stage I pressure ulcer
EXPERT RATIONALE: A Stage I pressure ulcer presents as intact skin with a localized
non-blanchable redness, commonly over a bony prominence such as the coccyx.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following actions by a CNA constitutes neglect?
A. Assisting a resident to the bathroom
B. Reporting a resident's complaint to the nurse
C. Leaving a resident in a soiled brief for several hours
D. Offering a resident a choice of meal
Final Exam Review Featuring Updated
Practice Questions, Clinical Skills Concepts
& NCLEX-Style Rationales
• This guide contains 200 practice questions covering all core CNA exam topics —
use it by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before checking the
correct one, and reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding.
• Each question includes 5 options (A–E), a clearly marked correct answer, and a
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for timed self-quizzes, group study, or final
review sessions.
QUESTION 1
When providing perineal care to a female resident, which direction should the
nursing assistant wipe?
A. From back to front
B. Side to side
C. In a circular motion
D. From front to back
E. From the outer thigh inward
CORRECT ANSWER: D. From front to back
EXPERT RATIONALE: Wiping from front to back prevents the transfer of bacteria from
the rectal area to the urethra, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.
QUESTION 2
A resident has the right to refuse treatment. This right is protected under
which principle?
A. Beneficence
B. Paternalism
,C. Autonomy
D. Justice
E. Fidelity
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Autonomy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Autonomy refers to a person's right to make their own decisions,
including the right to refuse medical treatment, regardless of the caregiver's opinion.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct order of the handwashing steps?
A. Wet hands, apply soap, rinse, dry, turn off faucet
B. Apply soap, wet hands, scrub, rinse, dry
C. Wet hands, apply soap, scrub at least 20 seconds, rinse, dry, turn off faucet with
paper towel
D. Rinse hands, apply soap, scrub, dry, turn off faucet
E. Wet hands, scrub without soap, rinse, dry
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wet hands, apply soap, scrub at least 20 seconds,
rinse, dry, turn off faucet with paper towel
EXPERT RATIONALE: Proper hand hygiene requires wetting first, then soap, scrubbing
for a minimum of 20 seconds to eliminate pathogens, rinsing thoroughly, drying, and
using a paper towel to turn off the faucet to avoid recontamination.
QUESTION 4
A resident is in the supine position. What does this mean?
A. Lying on their stomach
B. Sitting upright in bed
,C. Lying on their side
D. Lying on their back
E. Semi-reclined at 45 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Lying on their back
EXPERT RATIONALE: The supine position means the patient is lying flat on their back,
face upward. This is a common position used during many care procedures.
QUESTION 5
When taking an oral temperature, how long should a glass thermometer
remain in place?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. 3–5 minutes
D. 30 seconds
E. 10 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3–5 minutes
EXPERT RATIONALE: A glass thermometer should remain under the tongue for 3–5
minutes to obtain an accurate oral temperature reading.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following vital signs is considered normal for an adult?
A. Pulse: 110 bpm, Respirations: 24/min
B. Blood pressure: 160/100 mmHg
C. Temperature: 98.6°F, Pulse: 72 bpm, Respirations: 16/min
D. Temperature: 100.4°F, Pulse: 100 bpm
, E. Blood pressure: 90/50 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Temperature: 98.6°F, Pulse: 72 bpm, Respirations:
16/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Normal adult vital signs are temperature 97–99°F, pulse 60–100
bpm, respirations 12–20/min, and blood pressure 120/80 mmHg. Option C falls within
all normal ranges.
QUESTION 7
A nursing assistant notices a resident has a red area on their coccyx that does
not blanch. This is classified as a:
A. Stage II pressure ulcer
B. Stage I pressure ulcer
C. Deep tissue injury
D. Stage III pressure ulcer
E. Skin tear
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stage I pressure ulcer
EXPERT RATIONALE: A Stage I pressure ulcer presents as intact skin with a localized
non-blanchable redness, commonly over a bony prominence such as the coccyx.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following actions by a CNA constitutes neglect?
A. Assisting a resident to the bathroom
B. Reporting a resident's complaint to the nurse
C. Leaving a resident in a soiled brief for several hours
D. Offering a resident a choice of meal
