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Alaska CNA study materials
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Alaska CNA practice questions

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Question 1Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide is asked to perform a task they have not been trained to do safely. What is the best response?

  1. Ask another aide who has watched the task done before to check it
  2. Inform the nurse that the task is beyond their training Correct answer.
  3. Try the task and read the steps in the policy manual later that shift
  4. Complete the task and write an incident report at the end of the day

Explanation

A nurse aide may only perform tasks for which they have been trained and have demonstrated competence. When a request falls outside that training, the aide must tell the licensed nurse rather than attempt it. Performing an unfamiliar task puts the resident at risk of harm.

Question 2Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide notices a change in a resident's condition. Who should be told first?

  1. The resident's family
  2. The charge nurse Correct answer.
  3. The physical therapist
  4. The facility administrator

Explanation

Changes in condition are reported through the chain of command, starting with the licensed nurse responsible for the resident's care. The nurse can assess the resident and decide what action is needed. Families and other departments are informed as the nurse directs.

Question 3Role of the Nurse Aide

A friend asks a nurse aide in a public elevator about a resident's diagnosis. What should the aide say?

  1. Share details only if the friend does not know the resident
  2. Answer briefly and change the subject
  3. Give the information but ask the friend to keep it quiet
  4. Say that resident information cannot be discussed Correct answer.

Explanation

Resident health information is confidential and may not be shared with anyone who is not involved in the resident's care, including in public places. The aide should state plainly that the information cannot be discussed and end the conversation.

Question 4Role of the Nurse Aide

An alert, oriented resident refuses a scheduled shower. What should the nurse aide do?

  1. Skip the shower and record that it was completed
  2. Ask a second aide to come in and persuade the resident together
  3. Persuade the resident by explaining that showers are required daily
  4. Respect the refusal, tell the nurse, and document it Correct answer.

Explanation

A competent resident has the right to refuse care. The aide honors the refusal, informs the nurse, and records what happened factually. Attempting to force or falsify care violates resident rights and facility policy.

Question 5Role of the Nurse Aide

Which task may a nurse aide perform when it is assigned by the nurse?

  1. Changing the dosage on a pain medication order
  2. Deciding whether a wound needs a new dressing
  3. Adjusting the flow rate on a resident's oxygen tank
  4. Helping a resident take a shower Correct answer.

Explanation

Bathing and hygiene care are basic nursing tasks within nurse aide training and scope. Medication orders, wound treatment decisions, and oxygen settings require a licensed nurse's assessment and judgment.

Question 6Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide notices that a resident's urine has a strong new odor. What should the aide do?

  1. Write it on the resident council suggestion board
  2. Increase the resident's fluid intake without telling anyone
  3. Wait until the end of the week to mention it to someone
  4. Report the observation to the nurse promptly Correct answer.

Explanation

A new odor may signal a urinary tract infection or other problem that needs prompt nursing assessment. Nurse aides are the eyes and ears of the care team and must report observations promptly.

Question 7Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide realizes they will be late for a shift. Which action is most professional?

  1. Call the supervisor right away to report the delay Correct answer.
  2. Arrive late and mention it only if someone notices the time
  3. Text a coworker and ask them to clock in on their behalf
  4. Take a shorter break later in the shift to make up the time

Explanation

Prompt notification lets the supervisor adjust staffing so residents are not left without needed care. Honesty about attendance is part of professional conduct. Having someone else clock in is falsification of time records.

Question 8Role of the Nurse Aide

At the end of the shift, what should the aide do about a resident who was restless all afternoon?

  1. Tell the nurse and the aide coming on duty Correct answer.
  2. Write it in a personal notebook to mention next week
  3. Tell the resident's roommate about the restless afternoon
  4. Nothing, because the shift will be over in a few minutes

Explanation

Change-of-shift report passes essential observations to the next caregiver and the nurse so care can continue smoothly. Aides are responsible for handoff of the care they provided.

Question 9Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse asks a nurse aide to give a resident an oral pain pill because the nurse is busy. What should the aide do?

  1. Give the pill and later chart it under the nurse's name so it is covered
  2. Say that giving medication is outside the aide's scope Correct answer.
  3. Leave the pill at the bedside with water so the resident can take it later
  4. Crush the pill into applesauce and give it quickly before the nurse returns

Explanation

Administering medication is a licensed nursing act and is not within nurse aide scope in any setting. The aide must decline clearly and let the nurse know the resident still needs the medication on time.

Question 10Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident says they want to complain about a staff member. What should the nurse aide do?

  1. Tell the resident to wait until the family visits
  2. Ask the resident to bring it up only at the next council meeting
  3. Assist the resident in filing a grievance Correct answer.
  4. Promise to keep the complaint secret from everyone

Explanation

Residents have the right to voice grievances without fear of retaliation. The aide helps the resident use the facility grievance process and tells the nurse as policy requires. Promising total secrecy is a promise the aide cannot keep.

Question 11Role of the Nurse Aide

Which of these items is entered on the state nurse aide registry?

  1. A written warning from the facility for being tardy
  2. A substantiated finding of abuse or neglect Correct answer.
  3. Completion of an extra CPR certification class
  4. The aide's new home address and telephone number

Explanation

The nurse aide registry records certification status and any substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. These findings follow the aide and can bar employment in certified facilities.

Question 12Role of the Nurse Aide

Under federal rules, nurse aides in Medicaid-certified nursing homes must complete how many hours of in-service education each year?

  1. 20 hours
  2. 12 hours Correct answer.
  3. 4 hours
  4. 8 hours

Explanation

Federal requirements call for at least 12 hours of in-service education per year for nurse aides working in certified facilities. This ongoing training keeps skills current and reinforces topics such as resident rights and infection control.

Question 13Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide's certification stays active on the registry only if the aide:

  1. Works for pay at least 8 hours in 24 months Correct answer.
  2. Attends a refresher training class each year
  3. Pays an annual renewal fee to the state registry
  4. Works at least 40 hours every month at the facility

Explanation

To remain on the registry, a nurse aide must have provided nursing-related services for pay for at least 8 hours within the previous 24 months. Aides who do not meet this requirement are removed and must be retrained and retested.

Question 14Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide wants to post a photo of a resident's birthday party online. What is the best action?

  1. Post it only in a private online group for staff members
  2. Post it as long as the resident's face is blurred out
  3. Do not post the photo without proper authorization Correct answer.
  4. Post it and delete it after a week so it is not permanent

Explanation

Photographs of residents are protected health information and may not be shared without proper written authorization. Blurring a face or limiting the audience does not remove the privacy risk. Facility policy governs any approved use of resident images.

Question 15Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide sees a coworker grab a resident's arm roughly. What should the aide do?

  1. Say nothing because the coworker is more experienced
  2. Wait to see if the resident has a bruise before reporting
  3. Report it to the nurse right away Correct answer.
  4. Confront the coworker in front of the resident

Explanation

Rough handling is potential abuse and must be reported immediately to the nurse according to facility policy and mandatory reporting laws. Waiting for injury or remaining silent leaves the resident at continued risk.

Question 16Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide is assigned too many residents to care for safely. What should the aide do?

  1. Give each resident partial care and say nothing
  2. Skip care for the most independent residents
  3. Refuse to work for the rest of the shift
  4. Tell the charge nurse the assignment is unsafe Correct answer.

Explanation

When an assignment cannot be completed safely, the aide must notify the charge nurse so staffing or priorities can be adjusted. Silence or abandoning the shift both place residents at risk.

Question 17Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident offers a nurse aide $50 as a thank-you gift. What is the best response?

  1. Accept it but write it in the care plan
  2. Take it only if the resident insists a second time
  3. Politely decline and explain the gift policy Correct answer.
  4. Accept it and split it evenly with the other aides on the unit

Explanation

Accepting money or valuables from residents creates a conflict of interest and may be considered misappropriation under facility policy and law. The aide declines politely and explains the policy so the resident understands.

Question 18Role of the Nurse Aide

Which of these entries is appropriate for a nurse aide to document?

  1. That the resident's medication dosage was increased
  2. The plan for discharge teaching in two weeks
  3. The resident's new diagnosis from the physician's note
  4. That the resident drank 240 mL of water at lunch Correct answer.

Explanation

Nurse aides document the care they provide and the observations they make, such as intake at meals. Diagnoses, medication changes, and discharge teaching plans are documented by licensed nurses.

Question 19Role of the Nurse Aide

What is the nurse aide's role in the care planning process?

  1. Sharing observations about the resident with the team Correct answer.
  2. Writing the care plan independently for the resident
  3. Deciding which goals the resident must meet before discharge
  4. Approving changes to the resident's medication schedule

Explanation

Aides contribute direct knowledge of the resident's habits, preferences, and abilities during care conferences. The plan itself is developed and approved by licensed professionals with the resident and family.

Question 20Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide's personal phone rings during a busy shift. What is the best action?

  1. Silence it and call back during a scheduled break Correct answer.
  2. Take the call at the nurses' station while charting
  3. Let a coworker answer it and take a message
  4. Take the call in the resident's room

Explanation

Personal business should be handled on scheduled break time in a private area so resident care and privacy are not disrupted. Phone use in resident areas can also expose health information to others.

Question 21Role of the Nurse Aide

Which statement best describes the aide's responsibility for a task delegated by the nurse?

  1. The nurse is responsible for any error the aide makes while performing the task
  2. The aide is responsible for the task only if it is written in the care plan
  3. The aide performs the task correctly and reports the results Correct answer.
  4. The aide may re-delegate the task to another aide if busy

Explanation

When an aide accepts a delegated task within their scope, the aide is accountable for performing it correctly and reporting outcomes or changes. Delegation does not shift the aide's own accountability for their actions.

Question 22Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide takes a resident's watch from the bedside table and keeps it. This is best described as:

  1. Misappropriation of resident property Correct answer.
  2. A simple mistake if the aide returns it later
  3. Neglect of the resident
  4. Acceptable practice if the resident has dementia

Explanation

Misappropriation means the deliberate taking or use of a resident's belongings without authorization. It is a reportable offense that can be entered on the nurse aide registry.

Question 23Role of the Nurse Aide

Federal law requires nurse aide training programs to include at least:

  1. 60 hours of training, including 12 hours of supervised practical training
  2. 90 hours of training, including 24 hours of supervised practical training
  3. 50 hours of training, including 10 hours of supervised practical training
  4. 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training Correct answer.

Explanation

OBRA sets a federal minimum of 75 hours of nurse aide training, at least 16 of which must be supervised practical training in a clinical setting. States may require more than the federal minimum.

Question 24Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident is alert and oriented. The family asks the aide to hide a new diagnosis from the resident, who then asks the aide about it. What should the aide do?

  1. Give a vague answer so the family is not upset
  2. Explain the resident's right to the information; involve the nurse Correct answer.
  3. Follow the family's request and tell the resident nothing
  4. Tell the resident the information but ask them to act surprised

Explanation

A competent resident has the right to access their own health information and to make decisions about their care. The aide should not deceive the resident and should involve the nurse, who can address the family's concerns.

Question 25Role of the Nurse Aide

A dietary aide asks a nurse aide to reposition a resident. How should the nurse aide respond?

  1. Do the task but ask another aide to watch
  2. Accept it because both workers are unlicensed
  3. Explain that a licensed nurse must assign nursing tasks Correct answer.
  4. Report the dietary aide to the administrator immediately

Explanation

Delegation of nursing tasks comes from a licensed nurse who knows the resident's needs and the aide's competence. An unlicensed worker in another department cannot assign nursing care.

Question 26Role of the Nurse Aide

Which of these tasks falls within the nurse aide's usual scope of practice?

  1. Making an occupied bed for a resident Correct answer.
  2. Changing a sterile dressing on a surgical wound
  3. Explaining a lab result to the family
  4. Deciding how much insulin a resident needs

Explanation

Nurse aides perform basic nursing and personal care tasks that are assigned by the nurse and covered in their training, such as bed making and bathing. Sterile dressing changes, medication dosing, and interpreting lab results are functions of licensed nurses or physicians.

Question 27Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident who is alert and oriented refuses the morning shower. What should the nurse aide do?

  1. Respect the refusal, tell the nurse, and offer the shower later. Correct answer.
  2. Write in the record that the resident refused and was uncooperative today.
  3. Tell the resident that the shower is required by facility policy.
  4. Ask two coworkers to help convince the resident to try again.

Explanation

An alert, oriented resident has the right to refuse any care, and the aide must honor that choice without arguing or forcing care. The aide reports the refusal to the nurse and may offer the care again later.

Question 28Role of the Nurse Aide

The nurse asks the aide to perform a procedure the aide has never been trained to do. What is the best action?

  1. Ask another aide who has done it before to sign off on it.
  2. Watch a coworker do it once and then try it alone.
  3. Do the best possible job and mention it at the end of the shift.
  4. Tell the nurse it is outside the aide's training. Correct answer.

Explanation

An aide may only perform tasks for which the aide has been trained and that are within the job description. Performing an unfamiliar procedure risks harm to the resident and the aide should say so and ask for instruction.

Question 29Role of the Nurse Aide

Which statement about talking about residents outside of work is correct?

  1. It is fine if the listener also works in health care.
  2. It is fine if the resident's family has given verbal permission.
  3. Care information should not be discussed in public areas. Correct answer.
  4. It is fine to talk about a resident if no name is used.

Explanation

Resident information is confidential, and conversations in stores, buses, or other public places can be overheard and may identify the resident even without a name. Care details are shared only with those who need them to provide care.

Question 30Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident's daughter stops the aide in the hall and asks what the doctor said about her mother's new medication. What should the aide do?

  1. Guess at the answer so the daughter does not worry.
  2. Share what the aide heard about the drug during shift report.
  3. Explain that the nurse can answer medication questions. Correct answer.
  4. Look up the answer in the record and give it to the daughter.

Explanation

Medication information and changes in condition are shared by the nurse, not the aide. The aide should be courteous and direct the family member to the nurse for accurate answers.

Question 31Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide opens the electronic record of a resident who is not on today's assignment. Which statement is correct?

  1. It is acceptable if the aide worked with that resident last week.
  2. It is acceptable when the aide is curious about a neighbor.
  3. Records are opened only when needed for assigned care. Correct answer.
  4. It is acceptable if the aide tells no one what was read.

Explanation

Access to resident records is limited to staff who need the information to provide care for that resident. Curiosity, past assignments, or keeping quiet do not create a right to look at a record.

Question 32Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident who had a stroke is learning to dress with one hand. What is the aide's best role?

  1. Dress the resident each morning so the task is finished more quickly.
  2. Encourage the resident to do the steps, helping as needed. Correct answer.
  3. Let the resident try alone and check back after other tasks.
  4. Ask the nurse to assign dressing to a stronger aide.

Explanation

Restorative care means helping residents keep and regain independence by doing what they can for themselves. The aide encourages each step, provides only the help that is needed, and builds on progress over time.

Question 33Role of the Nurse Aide

An aide and a coworker disagree about how to transfer a resident safely. What should the aide do first?

  1. Ask the charge nurse to clarify the correct procedure. Correct answer.
  2. Transfer the resident the aide's own way without discussing it.
  3. Report the coworker to the state survey agency right away.
  4. Ask the resident which method feels better and use that one.

Explanation

When staff disagree about a care procedure, the charge nurse is the person who clarifies the plan and resolves the question. Following the nurse's direction protects the resident and keeps care consistent.

Question 34Role of the Nurse Aide

A nurse aide finds that a mechanical lift has a frayed strap. What should the aide do?

  1. Put the lift in the storage room and say nothing to avoid trouble.
  2. Stop using the lift and report it to the nurse right away. Correct answer.
  3. Mark the lift with a sign and continue using it with two aides.
  4. Use the lift but keep the resident close to the bed during transfer.

Explanation

Damaged equipment must be taken out of service and reported so it can be repaired or replaced. Using a lift with a frayed strap risks a fall or drop injury to the resident.

Question 35Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident asks the aide about the aide's recent divorce. What is the best response?

  1. Refuse to answer and leave the room without any comment.
  2. Ask the resident to keep the story private from other staff.
  3. Give a brief answer and steer the talk back to the resident's needs. Correct answer.
  4. Tell the whole story because it helps the resident trust the aide.

Explanation

Professional boundaries keep the focus on the resident rather than on the aide's personal life. A short, polite reply followed by returning attention to the resident maintains warmth without oversharing.

Question 36Role of the Nurse Aide

A new resident brings a valuable ring to the facility. What should the aide do?

  1. Send the ring home with the family at the end of the visit.
  2. Put the ring in the bedside drawer where the resident can reach it.
  3. Follow facility policy for labeling and storing valuables. Correct answer.
  4. Keep the ring in the aide's locker until the family visits.

Explanation

Valuables are handled according to facility policy, usually by inventorying, labeling, and storing them securely or sending them home with family with proper documentation. The aide never takes possession of a resident's belongings personally.

Question 37Role of the Nurse Aide

A caller asks the aide by phone whether a resident is still in the facility. What is the best response?

  1. Give the answer only if the caller says they are a relative.
  2. Confirm the resident's room number but not the diagnosis.
  3. Say that resident information cannot be shared by phone. Correct answer.
  4. Say the resident is out for the day so the caller will hang up.

Explanation

A person's presence in a facility is confidential, and callers cannot be verified over the phone. The aide declines to share information and may refer the caller to the nurse or the facility's policy for handling inquiries.

Question 38Role of the Nurse Aide

The aide notices that a resident's nephew visits often and that the resident's cash is repeatedly missing. What should the aide do?

  1. Report the observations to the nurse right away. Correct answer.
  2. Help the resident hide the cash in a safer place.
  3. Ask the nephew directly whether he has taken the money.
  4. Wait to see if it happens again before saying anything.

Explanation

Possible misappropriation of a resident's money is a reportable concern that the aide must pass on to the nurse promptly so it can be investigated and the resident protected. Aides observe and report; they do not investigate or confront.

Question 39Role of the Nurse Aide

An aide sees a coworker charting a bath for a resident the coworker never bathed. What should the aide do?

  1. Say nothing because charting is the nurse's responsibility.
  2. Ask the coworker to trade assignments for the rest of the shift.
  3. Report what was seen to the charge nurse. Correct answer.
  4. Add a note in the record saying the entry is false.

Explanation

Charting care that was not given is false documentation and must be reported to the nurse in charge. Aides do not correct or alter another person's record entry; they report the fact to the supervisor.

Question 40Role of the Nurse Aide

A resident's family brings an herbal supplement from home and asks the aide to give it with lunch. What should the aide do?

  1. Hold the supplement until the family brings a written note.
  2. Give it because herbal products do not need an order.
  3. Say that the nurse must approve anything the resident takes. Correct answer.
  4. Give it and write the dose in the food and fluid record.

Explanation

Anything a resident takes by mouth, including herbal products, must be reviewed and approved by the nurse or prescriber because it can interact with prescribed drugs. Aides do not give medications or supplements without proper authorization.

Question 41Promotion of Safety

A nurse assistant discovers a fire in a resident's wastebasket. According to the RACE sequence, what should be done first?

  1. Extinguish the fire with an extinguisher
  2. Close all doors on the unit
  3. Rescue anyone in immediate danger Correct answer.
  4. Activate the fire alarm

Explanation

RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Extinguish or Evacuate. Removing people from immediate danger always comes before sounding the alarm or fighting the fire.

Question 42Promotion of Safety

Which bed position best helps prevent falls for a resident who is at risk?

  1. Raised to waist height with side rails up
  2. Raised with the head of the bed elevated
  3. Kept in the lowest position with wheels locked Correct answer.
  4. Lowered with the wheels left unlocked

Explanation

A bed left in the lowest position shortens the distance of any fall, and locked wheels keep the bed from rolling when the resident leans on it. Side rails are not a substitute for a low bed and require a physician's order.

Question 43Promotion of Safety

How often should a nurse assistant check a restrained resident's circulation, skin color, and temperature?

  1. Every 4 hours
  2. Every 15 minutes Correct answer.
  3. Every 30 minutes
  4. Every 2 hours

Explanation

Circulation, skin color, temperature, and sensation are checked at least every 15 minutes. The restraint is also released, the resident repositioned, and range of motion performed at least every 2 hours.

Question 44Promotion of Safety

Before helping a resident transfer from bed into a wheelchair, the nurse assistant should:

  1. Tilt the wheelchair backward
  2. Remove the footrests and armrests
  3. Lock both wheels and raise the footplates Correct answer.
  4. Place the wheelchair at the foot of the bed

Explanation

Locking the wheels keeps the chair from slipping during the transfer, and swinging the footplates up clears the path for the resident's feet. The chair is positioned at the head or side of the bed, close to the bed.

Question 45Promotion of Safety

A nurse assistant notices a puddle of water on the bathroom floor. What should be done?

  1. Place a towel over it and continue with care
  2. Ask the resident to avoid the bathroom
  3. Clean it up right away and post a warning Correct answer.
  4. Report it to housekeeping at the end of the shift

Explanation

Wet floors are a leading cause of falls, so spills must be removed immediately and others warned until the floor is dry. Reporting later leaves a hazard in place during the shift.

Question 46Promotion of Safety

Before leaving a resident's room, the nurse assistant should make sure the call light is:

  1. Turned off at the wall
  2. Placed on the overbed table out of the way
  3. Within the resident's reach Correct answer.
  4. Clipped to the bed frame

Explanation

A resident who cannot reach the call light may try to get up alone and fall. The light should be placed in the resident's hand or within easy reach before the aide leaves the room.

Question 47Promotion of Safety

Which action is correct when a resident is receiving oxygen?

  1. Store the oxygen tank next to a heater
  2. Keep the resident and oxygen away from flames Correct answer.
  3. Apply petroleum jelly to the resident's nostrils
  4. Adjust the oxygen flow rate yourself

Explanation

Oxygen supports combustion, so open flames, sparks, and smoking materials must be kept away and no-smoking signs posted. Petroleum-based products can also ignite and should not be used near oxygen.

Question 48Promotion of Safety

A resident who is unsteady on their feet is about to use the bathroom. The nurse assistant should:

  1. Ask the resident to hold onto a towel rack for support
  2. Stand the resident in the doorway while preparing the room
  3. Have the resident use the grab bars and stay nearby Correct answer.
  4. Leave the resident alone to preserve privacy

Explanation

Grab bars are anchored to support a person's weight, and staying nearby allows the aide to assist if the resident becomes unsteady. Leaving an unsteady resident alone is a serious fall risk.

Question 49Promotion of Safety

A resident begins having a generalized seizure. What should the nurse assistant do?

  1. Place a spoon between the teeth to keep the airway open
  2. Leave the room to get help immediately
  3. Protect the head and turn the resident onto the side Correct answer.
  4. Hold the arms and legs still until the seizure stops

Explanation

Cushioning the head prevents injury, and turning the resident to the side lets secretions drain so the airway stays clear. Nothing is placed in the mouth, and the limbs are never restrained during a seizure.

Question 50Promotion of Safety

A conscious resident is choking and cannot speak or cough. The nurse assistant should:

  1. Give abdominal thrusts Correct answer.
  2. Wait a few minutes to see if it clears
  3. Give the resident water to wash the food down
  4. Lay the resident flat and begin CPR

Explanation

A resident who cannot speak or cough has a complete airway obstruction and needs abdominal thrusts right away. CPR is started only after the person becomes unresponsive.