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Idaho CNA practice questions

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Question 1Basic Nursing Skills

When the nursing assistant washes hands with soap and water, how long should the hands be rubbed together?

  1. About 10 seconds
  2. At least 20 seconds Correct answer.
  3. At least 60 seconds
  4. About 5 seconds

Explanation

Standard hand hygiene with soap and water requires rubbing all surfaces of the hands and wrists together for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. Shorter times do not give the soap enough contact time to remove transient organisms. Alcohol-based rub is used when hands are not visibly soiled.

Question 2Basic Nursing Skills

Which action is correct when the nursing assistant makes an unoccupied bed?

  1. Shaking the linens in the air to remove crumbs
  2. Holding linens away from the body without shaking them Correct answer.
  3. Reusing the previous resident's linens if they look clean
  4. Placing used linens on the floor beside the bed

Explanation

Linens should be held away from the uniform and never shaken, because shaking can scatter dust and microorganisms into the air and onto nearby surfaces. Soiled linens go directly into the linen hamper. Linens are never placed on the floor and never reused for another resident.

Question 3Basic Nursing Skills

A resident reports a sharp pain while the nursing assistant performs range-of-motion exercises. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Push through the discomfort to keep the joint loose
  2. Apply firm pressure to the joint until it relaxes
  3. Stop the exercise and report the pain to the nurse Correct answer.
  4. Continue the exercise but move the joint faster

Explanation

Range-of-motion exercise should never cause sharp pain; the joint is moved only to the point of resistance or discomfort. The nursing assistant stops the movement and reports the finding so the nurse can assess for injury or other problems. Forcing a painful joint can cause damage.

Question 4Basic Nursing Skills

When the nursing assistant leaves a resident's room, which bed setup best reduces the risk of a fall?

  1. Bed lowered, call light within reach Correct answer.
  2. Bed raised to waist height so the resident can see the room
  3. Bed raised with side rails up on both sides at all times
  4. Bed lowered with the wheels left unlocked for quick transport

Explanation

A bed kept in the lowest position with the call light and personal items within reach is the standard fall-prevention setup. Side rails are used only as ordered and are not a substitute for a low bed. Unlocked wheels let the bed move when the resident leans on it.

Question 5Basic Nursing Skills

When should the nursing assistant apply clean gloves?

  1. Just before contact with blood, body fluids, or broken skin Correct answer.
  2. Only when the resident asks the nursing assistant to wear them
  3. Upon entering the room, before any contact with the resident
  4. Only after all resident care for the shift is finished

Explanation

Clean gloves are worn when contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or contaminated items is anticipated. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene, which is still performed before and after use. Gloves are changed between tasks and between residents.

Question 6Basic Nursing Skills

How often should an immobile resident who is at risk for pressure injuries be repositioned?

  1. Once per shift
  2. At least every 2 hours Correct answer.
  3. Every 6 to 8 hours
  4. Only when the resident complains of discomfort

Explanation

Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves pressure on skin over bony prominences and helps prevent pressure injury. Residents on pressure-relieving surfaces may have a different schedule set by the nurse. Waiting for complaints is unsafe because early pressure damage is often painless.

Question 7Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has just finished a cup of hot coffee. How long should the nursing assistant wait before taking an oral temperature?

  1. About 15 to 30 minutes Correct answer.
  2. No waiting period is needed
  3. About 5 minutes
  4. About 1 hour

Explanation

Hot or cold food and drink, smoking, and chewing gum change the temperature inside the mouth. Waiting about 15 to 30 minutes allows the oral cavity to return to baseline. If the wait is not possible, another route may be used as allowed by facility policy.

Question 8Basic Nursing Skills

While counting a radial pulse, the nursing assistant notices that the rhythm is irregular. What is the best action?

  1. Count for 30 seconds and multiply the result by two
  2. Record the pulse as normal and recheck it at the next shift
  3. Count for 15 seconds and then multiply the result by four
  4. Count for a full minute, noting the irregularity Correct answer.

Explanation

An irregular pulse must be counted for a full 60 seconds so that short and long beats are all included. The irregularity is documented and reported to the nurse. Multiplying a short count by two or four magnifies any error and misses the true rate.

Question 9Basic Nursing Skills

When counting a resident's respirations, the nursing assistant should:

  1. Ask the resident to take deep breaths and count each one aloud
  2. Tell the resident to breathe normally and count for 15 seconds
  3. Keep the fingers on the wrist and count without announcing it Correct answer.
  4. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two even when the rhythm is irregular

Explanation

Respirations are counted for a full minute while the resident believes the pulse is still being taken, because awareness of being watched changes the breathing pattern. The rise and fall of the chest is counted as one respiration. Any irregularity or effort is noted and reported.

Question 10Basic Nursing Skills

The nursing assistant uses a blood pressure cuff that is too small for the resident's arm. What is the most likely effect on the reading?

  1. The reading cannot be obtained at all
  2. The reading will not be affected
  3. The reading will be falsely low
  4. The reading will be falsely high Correct answer.

Explanation

A cuff that is too narrow or too short requires more pressure to compress the artery, so the reading comes out higher than the true value. A cuff that is too large tends to give a falsely low reading. The cuff bladder should wrap about 80 percent of the arm circumference.

Question 11Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has dark nail polish on the finger being used for pulse oximetry. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Subtract five points from the reading to correct for polish
  2. Apply the sensor over the polish as usual
  3. Press harder on the sensor until a signal appears
  4. Use a different finger or a toe without polish Correct answer.

Explanation

Nail polish, artificial nails, and dark nail beds can block the light the oximeter needs to measure oxygen saturation. Moving the sensor to an unpolished finger or a toe gives a reliable reading. The site should also be warm and free of moisture.

Question 12Basic Nursing Skills

Assuming a gown, gloves, and a mask were worn, which item should the nursing assistant remove last when leaving a resident's room?

  1. Mask Correct answer.
  2. Gown
  3. Gloves
  4. Goggles

Explanation

Personal protective equipment is removed in an order that keeps contaminated surfaces away from the face: gloves first, then eyewear, then the gown, and the mask last. The mask is removed by touching only its ties or straps. Hand hygiene follows removal.

Question 13Basic Nursing Skills

A resident drinks 4 ounces of juice. How should this be recorded on the intake record?

  1. 60 mL
  2. 240 mL
  3. 120 mL Correct answer.
  4. 4 mL

Explanation

One ounce equals 30 milliliters, so 4 ounces equals about 120 milliliters. Intake is documented in milliliters so it can be totaled and compared with output. Recording the ounce figure without converting would make the total inaccurate.

Question 14Basic Nursing Skills

When emptying a urinary drainage bag, the nursing assistant should:

  1. Hold the drainage bag above the level of the bladder
  2. Empty the bag and then touch the spout to the toilet rim
  3. Clean the spout with an alcohol pad after emptying and keep it off the floor Correct answer.
  4. Let the spout touch the inside of the measuring container

Explanation

The spout is wiped with an alcohol pad after emptying and is kept from touching the floor, container, or toilet, which helps prevent bacteria from entering the closed system. The bag stays below bladder level at all times. Output is measured in the graduated container.

Question 15Basic Nursing Skills

Before applying a warm compress, what should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Place the compress directly against bare skin
  2. Leave the compress in place for at least an hour
  3. Apply the compress over a new surgical incision
  4. Check that the compress is covered and the skin is intact Correct answer.

Explanation

Heat increases blood flow and can burn skin, so the compress is wrapped in a cover, tested for temperature, and the skin is checked first. Heat is not applied over a new incision, an area with poor sensation, or a recent injury unless specifically ordered. The skin under the compress is rechecked frequently.

Question 16Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who receives oxygen through a nasal cannula is at risk for fire. Which item should be kept away from the bedside?

  1. Petroleum jelly Correct answer.
  2. A glass of water
  3. A cotton blanket
  4. A metal spoon

Explanation

Oxygen supports combustion, and petroleum-based products such as ointments and lotions can ignite or burn readily in an oxygen-enriched environment. Water-based lubricants are used instead when the nose is dry. Other fire sources, such as smoking and electrical equipment, are also kept away.

Question 17Basic Nursing Skills

The nurse asks the nursing assistant to obtain orthostatic vital signs. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Measure blood pressure and pulse with the resident lying, then sitting, then standing Correct answer.
  2. Measure the blood pressure only after the resident has exercised
  3. Measure the blood pressure once while the resident is standing
  4. Measure the blood pressure in both arms at the same time

Explanation

Orthostatic vital signs compare blood pressure and pulse in the lying, sitting, and standing positions to detect a drop that occurs with position change. The resident rests briefly in each position before the measurement. A drop in pressure with dizziness on standing is reported to the nurse.

Question 18Basic Nursing Skills

During a sterile dressing change, the nursing assistant's ungloved hand touches the sterile drape. What should be done?

  1. Turn the drape over and use the other side
  2. Wipe the spot with an alcohol pad and keep going
  3. Replace the sterile field with a new one before continuing Correct answer.
  4. Continue, because the drape is only the outer wrapper

Explanation

Anything that touches a non-sterile surface, including an ungloved hand, is contaminated, and the sterile field can no longer be used. A new sterile setup is obtained and the procedure starts over. Sterile technique does not allow patching or turning items over.

Question 19Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has a physician-ordered wrist restraint. How often should the nursing assistant check on the resident?

  1. Once per shift
  2. At least every 15 minutes Correct answer.
  3. Every 2 hours
  4. Every 4 hours

Explanation

A resident in restraints is checked at least every 15 minutes for safety, circulation, and needs such as toileting and fluids. The restraint is also released, and the limb exercised, at intervals set by policy and the order. Frequent checks protect the resident from injury and strangulation.

Question 20Basic Nursing Skills

When collecting a midstream clean-catch urine specimen, the nursing assistant should instruct the resident to:

  1. Cleanse the area first, then collect urine mid-stream Correct answer.
  2. Save the first portion of the urine stream in the cup
  3. Empty the drainage bag and send that urine to the lab
  4. Collect the specimen at any point during the stream

Explanation

A clean-catch specimen requires cleansing the urinary opening and then collecting urine after the first part of the stream has passed, which flushes away skin organisms. The cup lid and inside are not touched. The specimen is labeled and sent to the laboratory promptly.

Question 21Personal Care Skills

When washing your hands with soap and running water, how long should you rub your hands together?

  1. About 45 seconds
  2. About 5 seconds
  3. At least 20 seconds Correct answer.
  4. Until the soap is gone

Explanation

Hand hygiene requires rubbing all surfaces of the hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. Contact time, not the amount of lather, determines how many organisms are removed.

Question 22Personal Care Skills

How should you check the temperature of bath water before giving a client a bed bath?

  1. Warm and tested on your inner wrist Correct answer.
  2. As hot as the client can tolerate
  3. Hot enough to produce visible steam
  4. Cooler than room temperature

Explanation

Bath water should be comfortably warm, because clients with reduced sensation or confusion can be burned by water that feels fine to someone else. Testing the water on your inner wrist confirms a safe temperature.

Question 23Personal Care Skills

You are helping a client with right-sided weakness get dressed. Which arm goes into the sleeve first?

  1. Both sleeves at the same time
  2. The right arm Correct answer.
  3. Whichever arm the client prefers
  4. The left arm

Explanation

Clothing is put on the weak or affected side first and removed from that side last, so the limb is never pulled through a sleeve. The strong arm is dressed last, when it can help move the garment.

Question 24Personal Care Skills

A client removes her dentures for the night. What is the correct action?

  1. Place them in a labeled cup of cool water Correct answer.
  2. Store them dry in a covered cup
  3. Wrap them in a tissue and place them on the nightstand
  4. Leave them in a basin of hot water to soak

Explanation

Dentures are stored in a labeled container of cool water so they stay moist and are not lost or broken. The label protects them if they are sent to the kitchen or taken to another room.

Question 25Personal Care Skills

When providing perineal care for a female client, in which direction do you wash?

  1. From the rectum toward the pubic area
  2. From the rectum outward to the thighs
  3. In circles around the perineum
  4. From the pubic area to the rectum Correct answer.

Explanation

Washing from the pubic area toward the rectum carries fecal organisms away from the urethra, which helps prevent urinary tract infection. Each stroke is a single front-to-back wipe using a clean part of the washcloth.

Question 26Personal Care Skills

Which action makes bedpan use more comfortable and safer for a client on bed rest?

  1. Place the bedpan while the bed is flat and the client is on the side
  2. Ask the client to hold their breath during placement
  3. Warm the rim of the bedpan with warm water first Correct answer.
  4. Dust the bedpan with powder to reduce friction

Explanation

Warming the rim of a cold bedpan with warm water makes it more comfortable and helps the client relax so elimination can occur. Once the pan is in place, raise the head of the bed to a safe, comfortable angle and stay nearby.

Question 27Personal Care Skills

A client is on bed rest and cannot turn without help. How often should you reposition this client?

  1. Every hour on the hour
  2. Every 30 minutes while the client is awake
  3. Once every 6 hours
  4. Every 2 hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves pressure on skin over bony prominences and is the main way to prevent pressure injuries. Clients who cannot shift themselves depend entirely on staff for this turning schedule.

Question 28Personal Care Skills

When shaving a male client with a safety razor, which technique is correct?

  1. Apply after-shave lotion before shaving
  2. Shave against the direction of hair growth for a closer shave
  3. Hold the skin taut and shave with the hair growth Correct answer.
  4. Use short, quick strokes with the razor at a 90-degree angle

Explanation

Holding the skin taut and shaving in the direction the hair grows reduces nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. The razor is rinsed after each stroke and the face is washed afterward.

Question 29Personal Care Skills

A client with diabetes asks you to trim her toenails. What is the best response?

  1. Cut down into the corners to prevent ingrown toenails and apply lotion
  2. Trim them the same way you would for any other client
  3. Soak the feet first, then trim straight across and file the corners
  4. Tell the nurse, since diabetic foot care is often done by a specialist Correct answer.

Explanation

Clients with diabetes often have poor circulation and reduced sensation in the feet, so nail and foot care is usually performed by a nurse or foot care specialist. The CNA reports the request rather than trimming the nails.

Question 30Personal Care Skills

When providing catheter care for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, which action is correct?

  1. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly around the meatus
  2. Wash from the meatus outward with soap and water Correct answer.
  3. Cleanse the catheter with alcohol swabs twice a day
  4. Pull gently on the tubing to reach its full length

Explanation

Catheter care is done with soap and water, washing in one motion away from the meatus so organisms are not carried toward the urinary opening. The tubing is held steady rather than pulled, and the area is rinsed and dried.

Question 31Personal Care Skills

While you are performing passive range-of-motion exercises, the client reports sharp pain in the shoulder. What should you do?

  1. Continue but move the joint more slowly
  2. Ask the client to perform the motion actively instead
  3. Apply heat to the shoulder and finish the exercise
  4. Stop the exercise and tell the nurse about the pain Correct answer.

Explanation

Sharp pain during range of motion may signal a joint or muscle injury and is a reason to stop immediately. Only the nurse can decide whether the exercise plan should be changed.

Question 32Personal Care Skills

When positioning a client in the side-lying position, where should you place a pillow?

  1. Under the abdomen only
  2. Between the knees Correct answer.
  3. Across the chest
  4. Under the head only

Explanation

A pillow between the knees in side-lying position keeps the hips and legs aligned and stops the top leg from pressing on the lower one. Pillows at the back and under the top arm complete the alignment.

Question 33Personal Care Skills

Which technique is correct when you give a client a back massage?

  1. Rub reddened bony areas vigorously to increase blood flow
  2. Use an alcohol-based lotion to toughen the skin
  3. Use lotion and gentle strokes, avoiding the spine Correct answer.
  4. Massage firmly directly over the spine

Explanation

A back massage uses lotion and gentle, rhythmic strokes directed toward the heart, with the spine and bony prominences avoided. It lasts only a few minutes and is stopped if the skin is reddened or broken.

Question 34Personal Care Skills

Which part of the body is washed first during a bed bath?

  1. The arms, starting at the shoulders and working down
  2. The back and buttocks, to check the skin
  3. The face, using plain water Correct answer.
  4. The feet, to soften the skin

Explanation

Bathing moves from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest: the face first with plain water (no soap near the eyes), then arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, and the perineal area last. Washcloths and water are changed as they become soiled.

Question 35Personal Care Skills

Which action is correct when changing the linens of a client who must stay in bed?

  1. Ask the client to hold the clean linen while you pull it
  2. Keep the far side rail up while you work Correct answer.
  3. Leave the soiled linen on the floor until you finish
  4. Roll the soiled linen toward the client before removing it

Explanation

When making an occupied bed, the rail on the side away from you stays up so the client cannot roll out while you work. The near rail is lowered so you can reach the linens, and the client is never left unattended.

Question 36Personal Care Skills

A client with left-sided weakness is moving from the bed to a chair. Where should the chair be placed?

  1. At the foot of the bed facing the head
  2. Directly in front of the client's left side
  3. On the client's left side, the weaker side
  4. On the client's right side, the stronger side Correct answer.

Explanation

The client pivots toward the stronger side, so the chair goes on that side and the client is never pulled under the arms. The weak leg is protected while the strong leg does the work.

Question 37Personal Care Skills

How should the drainage bag of an indwelling urinary catheter be positioned?

  1. Below the bladder and off the floor Correct answer.
  2. Clipped to the sheet above the bladder
  3. On the floor beside the bed
  4. Hanging on the side rail at bladder height

Explanation

Gravity keeps urine flowing out of the bladder and away from the client only when the bag is below bladder level. The bag also must not touch the floor, where it can pick up organisms.

Question 38Personal Care Skills

A client who is unconscious needs mouth care. Which action is safest?

  1. Use lemon-glycerin swabs to keep the mouth moist
  2. Turn the head to the side and use little water Correct answer.
  3. Use plenty of water so the mouth is well rinsed
  4. Place a finger wrapped in gauze between the teeth

Explanation

An unconscious client cannot swallow or protect the airway, so the head is turned to the side and only a small amount of fluid is used. Suction must be available in case fluid collects in the mouth.

Question 39Personal Care Skills

While bathing a client who has an IV in the left arm, which action is correct?

  1. Wash gently without pulling the tubing and keep the site dry Correct answer.
  2. Remove the IV tubing before you begin the bath
  3. Cover the IV site with a plastic bag and wash the arm normally
  4. Wash the arm quickly and then reconnect the tubing

Explanation

An IV site must stay dry and the tubing must not be pulled, because traction can dislodge the catheter. The arm is washed gently around the site, and redness, swelling, or moisture at the site is reported.

Question 40Personal Care Skills

During a bed bath you notice a reddened area on the client's heel that does not blanch when pressed. What should you do?

  1. Wash the area with alcohol and let it air dry
  2. Keep pressure off the area and report it to the nurse Correct answer.
  3. Massage the area firmly to improve circulation
  4. Apply a heating pad to the reddened area

Explanation

Non-blanching redness is an early sign of a pressure injury, so pressure must be relieved and the area must not be rubbed. The nurse needs to assess the site and document the finding.

Question 41Infection Control

A nursing assistant's hands are not visibly soiled. Which method of hand hygiene is preferred before and after contact with a resident?

  1. Wipe the palms with a disinfectant surface wipe
  2. Rinse the hands under running water only
  3. Wash with soap and water for 10 seconds
  4. Rub hands with an alcohol-based hand rub Correct answer.

Explanation

Alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method when hands are not visibly soiled because it rapidly reduces microorganisms and is gentler on skin. Soap and water is reserved for visibly dirty hands or hands contaminated with blood or body fluids.

Question 42Infection Control

Standard precautions should be applied in which situation?

  1. Only for residents living in the isolation unit
  2. For every resident, every time care is given Correct answer.
  3. Only when blood is visible on the skin
  4. Only when a resident has a diagnosed infection

Explanation

Standard precautions treat all blood, body fluids, secretions, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious, so they apply to every resident contact. Diagnosis-based precautions alone would miss residents who are colonized or not yet diagnosed.

Question 43Infection Control

A nursing assistant wears gloves while providing perineal care. Which action is required after the gloves are removed?

  1. Put on a second pair of gloves for the rest of the shift
  2. Perform hand hygiene immediately Correct answer.
  3. Coat the hands with alcohol gel before removal
  4. Rinse the gloves and hang them to dry for reuse

Explanation

Gloves can have tiny defects and may tear during removal, so hand hygiene is required immediately after they come off. Gloves reduce but never replace handwashing.

Question 44Infection Control

A resident is coughing repeatedly. Which action best demonstrates respiratory hygiene?

  1. Holding the breath until the coughing stops
  2. Covering the mouth with a bare hand
  3. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the inner elbow Correct answer.
  4. Turning the head away and coughing freely

Explanation

Covering coughs with a tissue or the inner elbow contains respiratory droplets and keeps them off the hands, which are the main route for spreading them to surfaces and other people. A bare hand becomes contaminated and then transfers pathogens.

Question 45Infection Control

A nursing assistant is removing soiled bed linen from a resident's room. What is the correct practice?

  1. Carry it pressed against the chest to the laundry
  2. Hold it away from the uniform and bag it Correct answer.
  3. Set it on the floor until the cart arrives
  4. Shake it over the bed to remove crumbs

Explanation

Holding linen away from the body and bagging it at the point of use prevents pathogens and lint from being shaken into the air or onto clothing. Linen should never be shaken, placed on the floor, or hugged against the uniform.

Question 46Infection Control

A dressing saturated with blood is removed from a resident's wound. Where should it be discarded?

  1. In the linen hamper
  2. In a clear plastic bag in the hallway
  3. In the regular trash can in the room
  4. In a red biohazard bag Correct answer.

Explanation

Items saturated with blood or other potentially infectious material are regulated waste and go into a labeled, leak-resistant biohazard container, typically red. Regular trash and linen hampers are not designed to contain bloodborne pathogens.

Question 47Infection Control

When a nursing assistant puts on personal protective equipment, which item is applied last?

  1. Gown
  2. Mask
  3. Goggles
  4. Gloves Correct answer.

Explanation

Gloves go on last so that clean hands do not contaminate the outside of the other equipment while the gown, mask, and eye protection are adjusted. The gown goes on first, followed by mask and eye protection.

Question 48Infection Control

During care, a nursing assistant's surgical mask becomes damp. What should the assistant do?

  1. Pull the mask down around the neck until the task ends
  2. Leave the room and replace it with a dry mask Correct answer.
  3. Wipe the inside of the mask with a paper towel
  4. Continue wearing it until the shift is over

Explanation

A damp or soiled mask loses its barrier effectiveness and becomes uncomfortable and hard to breathe through, so it must be replaced. Masks are never worn around the neck or reused after removal.

Question 49Infection Control

A resident with influenza is on droplet precautions. Which protection is needed when entering the room?

  1. A gown and gloves only
  2. A fit-tested N95 respirator
  3. A surgical mask Correct answer.
  4. No protective equipment if the visit is brief

Explanation

Droplet precautions require a surgical mask because influenza spreads on large droplets that travel a short distance. An N95 respirator is reserved for airborne diseases such as tuberculosis.

Question 50Infection Control

Which condition requires an airborne infection isolation room with negative air pressure and a fit-tested N95 respirator?

  1. An infected pressure injury
  2. Scabies infestation
  3. Influenza
  4. Pulmonary tuberculosis Correct answer.

Explanation

Tuberculosis spreads on tiny droplet nuclei that stay suspended in air and travel long distances, so it requires negative pressure and an N95 respirator. Scabies, influenza, and wound infections are handled with contact or droplet precautions.