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New York CNA practice questions

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Question 1Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Before beginning morning care for a resident, the nurse aide should first:

  1. Comb the resident's hair first
  2. Put on a gown and mask
  3. Put on gloves without washing the hands
  4. Wash the hands Correct answer.

Explanation

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection from one resident to another. Hands are washed before and after every contact with a resident, even when gloves will be worn. Gloves are extra protection, not a replacement for washing.

Question 2Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

The nurse aide is preparing to clean a resident's dentures. Which action is correct?

  1. Soak them in hot water overnight
  2. Scrub them with a stiff brush
  3. Pad the sink before cleaning Correct answer.
  4. Store them dry in a tissue

Explanation

Dentures are fragile and can break if dropped on a hard surface, so the sink or basin is lined with a towel or partly filled with water. They are cleaned with cool water and a soft brush and stored moist in a labeled cup. Hot water can warp the material.

Question 3Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who cannot move independently in bed should be repositioned at least every:

  1. 8 hours
  2. 6 hours
  3. 30 minutes
  4. 2 hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Constant pressure on the same skin area can damage tissue in as little as two hours. Turning and repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves pressure over bony prominences. Residents who cannot move themselves depend entirely on staff for this schedule.

Question 4Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

To count a radial pulse, the nurse aide places the fingers:

  1. In the crease of the elbow on the inner arm
  2. At the side of the neck
  3. Behind the knee
  4. On the thumb side of the wrist Correct answer.

Explanation

The radial pulse is felt on the thumb side of the wrist and is the site most often used by nurse aides. Fingertips are used rather than the thumb, because the thumb has a pulse of its own that can be confused with the resident's. Pressure is light enough to feel the beats.

Question 5Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When providing perineal care, the nurse aide washes:

  1. With a dry washcloth only
  2. From back to front
  3. In circles starting at the anus
  4. From front to back Correct answer.

Explanation

Washing from front to back carries germs away from the urethra toward the anus and helps prevent urinary tract infection. A clean area of the washcloth is used for each stroke. Soap and water are used, then the area is rinsed and dried.

Question 6Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A urinary drainage bag should always be kept:

  1. Below the level of the bladder Correct answer.
  2. Hung on the side rail above the bladder
  3. Resting flat on the floor
  4. Between the resident's legs

Explanation

Urine flows downhill, so a bag below bladder level prevents urine from flowing back into the bladder and causing infection. The bag is kept off the floor and the tubing is checked for kinks. It is emptied before it becomes overfull.

Question 7Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

After helping a resident onto a bedpan, the nurse aide should:

  1. Stay nearby and check often Correct answer.
  2. Lower the head of the bed
  3. Leave the room until the resident calls
  4. Place the call light out of reach

Explanation

A resident on a bedpan must never be left alone, because the resident could fall, spill the pan, or need help. The aide stays nearby and checks frequently while giving privacy. The head of the bed is raised to a comfortable position and the call light stays within reach.

Question 8Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When positioning a resident in the lateral (side-lying) position, the nurse aide places a pillow:

  1. Under the head and shoulders only
  2. Between the knees Correct answer.
  3. Under the buttocks
  4. Under the feet

Explanation

A pillow between the knees keeps the hips and legs aligned and stops the knees and ankles from pressing against each other. Pillows are also used to support the back and the top arm. Proper alignment reduces pressure and strain on joints.

Question 9Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When giving mouth care to an unresponsive resident, the nurse aide should:

  1. Use a large amount of toothpaste
  2. Turn the head to the side Correct answer.
  3. Place the resident flat on the back
  4. Give small sips of water to rinse

Explanation

An unresponsive resident cannot swallow or cough, so fluid could easily enter the airway. Turning the head to the side lets fluid drain out of the mouth. Only a small amount of water is used on the brush or swabs, and no rinsing is given.

Question 10Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has weakness on the right side. When dressing the resident, the nurse aide should put the garment on the:

  1. Both arms at once
  2. Either arm, it does not matter
  3. Weak arm first Correct answer.
  4. Strong arm first

Explanation

Clothing is put on the weak side first so the strong arm can help work the sleeve over the weak arm. When undressing, the strong side is removed first. This protects the weak limb and lets the resident do as much as possible.

Question 11Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When making an occupied bed, the nurse aide should:

  1. Shake soiled linens in the air
  2. Place soiled linens on the floor
  3. Keep the far side rail raised Correct answer.
  4. Leave both side rails down

Explanation

The rail on the far side stays up so the resident cannot roll out of bed while the aide works on the near side. Linens are never shaken in the air because that spreads germs. Soiled linens go directly into the laundry hamper.

Question 12Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

While performing passive range-of-motion exercises, the nurse aide should:

  1. Exercise only the arms and legs
  2. Move slowly and stop at resistance Correct answer.
  3. Push the joint past the point of pain
  4. Move each joint quickly and firmly

Explanation

Joints are moved slowly and gently, and the movement stops when the resident feels resistance or pain. Forcing a joint can tear tissue or cause injury. Any pain, stiffness, or change in movement is reported to the nurse.

Question 13Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When counting a resident's respirations, the nurse aide should:

  1. Ask the resident to take deep breaths
  2. Keep fingers on the wrist while counting Correct answer.
  3. Tell the resident what you are doing
  4. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 2

Explanation

Residents often change their breathing when they know it is being watched, so the aide keeps the fingers on the wrist as if still counting the pulse. Respirations are counted for one full minute, noting rate, rhythm, and depth. One breath in and out counts as one respiration.

Question 14Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When measuring blood pressure, the nurse aide places the cuff:

  1. Directly over the elbow joint
  2. On the bare arm above the elbow Correct answer.
  3. Over the resident's clothing
  4. On the forearm just above the wrist

Explanation

The cuff is wrapped snugly around the bare upper arm with the lower edge about one inch above the elbow, and the arm is supported at heart level. Clothing under the cuff can change the reading. The stethoscope is placed over the brachial artery.

Question 15Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident drinks 8 ounces of water. The nurse aide records this intake as:

  1. 80 mL
  2. 240 mL Correct answer.
  3. 8 mL
  4. 480 mL

Explanation

Intake is recorded in milliliters, and one ounce equals 30 mL, so 8 ounces equals 240 mL. All fluids taken by mouth, feeding tube, or IV are counted as intake. Amounts are recorded at the time they are taken rather than at the end of the shift.

Question 16Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

To collect a clean-catch urine specimen, the nurse aide should have the resident:

  1. Use urine that sat in the bedpan
  2. Collect the middle of the stream Correct answer.
  3. Use urine from the drainage bag
  4. Collect the first few drops

Explanation

A clean-catch specimen is taken midstream so that germs on the skin and in the urethra are washed away first. The inside of the container is not touched, and the specimen goes to the lab promptly. Urine that has sat in a bag or pan grows bacteria and gives false results.

Question 17Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Before applying a warm compress to a resident's skin, the nurse aide should:

  1. Test the temperature first Correct answer.
  2. Apply it directly to bare skin for 30 minutes
  3. Place it over an area with a rash
  4. Cover it with plastic wrap to hold in heat

Explanation

Heat can burn skin, especially in older adults whose sensation may be reduced, so the temperature is checked before use and the skin is inspected often. Applications usually last only 15 to 20 minutes. Heat is not applied to broken, swollen, or numb areas unless specifically ordered.

Question 18Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When shaving a resident who takes a blood thinner, the nurse aide should:

  1. Use an electric razor Correct answer.
  2. Shave against the direction of hair growth
  3. Use a safety razor with shaving cream
  4. Shave without any lubricant

Explanation

A resident on a blood thinner bleeds more easily from even a small nick, so an electric razor is used unless the care plan states otherwise. The skin is checked for cuts and irritation afterward. Any bleeding or skin problem is reported to the nurse.

Question 19Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When a resident is not wearing a hearing aid, the nurse aide should:

  1. Wrap it in a tissue in a drawer
  2. Leave it on the bedside table
  3. Store it in its labeled case Correct answer.
  4. Soak it in water to clean it

Explanation

A hearing aid is expensive and easily lost or damaged, so it is kept in its labeled case when not in use. It is cleaned with a dry cloth or soft brush and never placed in water. The aide tells the nurse if the aid is not working.

Question 20Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When using a gait belt to help a resident walk, the nurse aide should:

  1. Use it to lift the resident off the floor
  2. Place it around the chest under the arms
  3. Leave it on while the resident sleeps
  4. Fasten it snugly around the waist Correct answer.

Explanation

A gait belt goes around the waist over clothing and is snug enough to grip without restricting breathing. The aide holds the belt rather than the resident's arm and walks slightly behind and to the side. The belt is removed when the walk is finished.

Question 21Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A rectal temperature should not be taken on a resident who:

  1. Has diarrhea or rectal bleeding Correct answer.
  2. Has an elevated temperature
  3. Is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula
  4. Has a dry cough

Explanation

Inserting a thermometer into the rectum can cause injury or bleeding when the resident has diarrhea, rectal bleeding, recent rectal surgery, or a low platelet count. Another route, such as oral or axillary, is used instead. The aide reports the reason to the nurse.

Question 22Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When applying anti-embolic (TED) stockings to a resident, the nurse aide should:

  1. Check the skin and smooth out wrinkles Correct answer.
  2. Roll the top down to the calf
  3. Put them on over lotion to help them slide
  4. Apply them only to the leg that is swollen

Explanation

Anti-embolic stockings press on the legs to help blood return to the heart, and they only work if they fit smoothly. The skin is checked for redness or sores each time the stockings are removed, and wrinkles are smoothed out because they can pinch the skin. The top is never rolled down, since that creates a tight band that blocks circulation.

Question 23Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

For a cleansing enema, the resident is usually positioned:

  1. On the right side
  2. On the left side Correct answer.
  3. Lying on the abdomen
  4. In a high Fowler's position

Explanation

The left side-lying (Sims') position follows the natural curve of the colon, so the solution flows into the bowel more easily. The resident stays in position until the urge to have a bowel movement occurs. The head of the bed may be slightly raised for comfort.

Question 24Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident with diabetes asks the nurse aide to trim the toenails. The nurse aide should:

  1. Notify the nurse instead Correct answer.
  2. Trim them straight across
  3. Soak the feet and cut the cuticles
  4. Trim them because it is routine care

Explanation

Diabetes can reduce circulation and feeling in the feet, so a small cut may go unnoticed and become a serious infection. Nail and foot care for these residents is done by a podiatrist or nurse according to the care plan. The aide checks the feet daily and reports redness, swelling, or sores.

Question 25Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Which finding would cause the nurse aide to avoid giving a resident a back massage?

  1. A request from the resident for a massage
  2. Broken skin over the lower back Correct answer.
  3. The resident is lying on the side
  4. Dry skin on the shoulders

Explanation

Massage is not given over reddened, broken, or bruised skin or over a pressure area, because rubbing damaged tissue makes the injury worse. The area is reported to the nurse instead. Massage is safe on intact skin when the resident wants it and it is in the care plan.

Question 26Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Before beginning care for a resident, the nurse aide should first:

  1. ask the resident to wash their hands
  2. put on a pair of gloves
  3. apply hand lotion to both hands
  4. wash hands with soap and water Correct answer.

Explanation

Hand hygiene is performed before and after every resident contact, and washing with soap and water is the standard when hands may be soiled. Gloves are added after hand washing, not instead of it. Lotion is used for the aide's skin comfort and is not a substitute for cleaning.

Question 27Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When preparing a tub bath for a resident, the nurse aide checks the water temperature by:

  1. testing it on the inner wrist Correct answer.
  2. feeling the outside of the tub with the palm
  3. asking the resident to step in and judge it
  4. holding a thermometer under the running tap for one second

Explanation

The inside of the wrist is sensitive skin that detects heat the way the resident's body will. Water should be comfortably warm, and testing with the wrist or a bath thermometer prevents burns. The outside of the tub and a brief thermometer touch do not reflect the true water temperature.

Question 28Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

While giving a bed bath, the nurse aide protects the resident's privacy by:

  1. exposing only the part of the body being washed Correct answer.
  2. turning up the television so no one hears
  3. asking visitors to stay in the room during the bath
  4. leaving the door open so help can be seen

Explanation

Privacy means covering the resident with a bath blanket and uncovering just the area being washed at that moment. Doors and curtains are closed and visitors are asked to step out. Noise does not provide privacy.

Question 29Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When removing a resident's dentures for cleaning, the nurse aide should:

  1. clean them with household bleach
  2. wrap them in a tissue and leave them on the nightstand
  3. line the sink with a towel or fill it with water first Correct answer.
  4. carry the dentures loose in one hand

Explanation

Dentures are slippery and break easily, so the sink is padded or filled with water before they are handled. They are cleaned with a denture brush and denture cleanser over that protected surface. Household chemicals and loose tissue storage can damage the dentures or spread germs.

Question 30Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Before taking an oral temperature, the nurse aide should wait about 15 minutes if the resident has:

  1. just been repositioned
  2. just finished a hot drink Correct answer.
  3. just brushed their teeth
  4. just come back from a walk

Explanation

Hot or cold food and drinks change the temperature inside the mouth, so a waiting period gives the mouth time to return to body temperature. Smoking and chewing gum also affect oral readings. Repositioning and walking do not change mouth temperature.

Question 31Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

Urine emptied from a bedpan is measured and recorded in:

  1. cups
  2. teaspoons
  3. milliliters Correct answer.
  4. ounces

Explanation

Urine output is measured in milliliters using a graduated container so amounts can be compared accurately from shift to shift. Ounces, cups, and teaspoons are not standard for output records. Intake of fluids may be recorded in ounces, but output is recorded in milliliters.

Question 32Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When washing a resident's feet, the nurse aide should:

  1. soak the feet for at least 30 minutes
  2. dry carefully between the toes Correct answer.
  3. cut the toenails straight across
  4. rub lotion between the toes

Explanation

Moisture trapped between the toes softens the skin and encourages fungal growth, so the area is dried thoroughly. Soaking is kept brief, and lotion is not placed between the toes. Cutting toenails is generally outside the nurse aide's role and is referred to the nurse.

Question 33Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who walks with a cane should hold it:

  1. on the stronger side, moving it with the weaker leg Correct answer.
  2. on the weaker side, moving it with the weaker leg
  3. on the weaker side, moving it with the stronger leg
  4. on the stronger side, moving it with the stronger leg

Explanation

The cane is held in the hand on the stronger side so it supports the weaker leg. The cane and the weaker leg move forward together, then the stronger leg steps past. This pattern gives the most stable base of support.

Question 34Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

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

  1. lock the wheels and raise the footrests Correct answer.
  2. position the chair at the foot of the bed
  3. place the chair so it faces the bed
  4. remove the armrests from the chair

Explanation

Locking the wheels keeps the chair from rolling away, and raising the footrests clears them so the resident's feet can be placed safely. The chair is positioned close to the bed on the resident's stronger side. Armrests stay in place for support.

Question 35Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When giving perineal care to a female resident, the nurse aide washes:

  1. from the urinary area toward the rectum Correct answer.
  2. from the rectum toward the urinary area
  3. from back to front using the same washcloth
  4. in circles starting at the rectum

Explanation

Washing from front to back carries germs away from the urinary opening, reducing the risk of urinary tract infection. A clean area of the washcloth is used for each stroke. Moving from the rectum forward spreads bacteria toward the bladder.

Question 36Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

While bathing a resident, the nurse aide notices a reddened area on the heel that does not blanch when pressed. The aide should:

  1. cover the area with a thick lotion
  2. report it to the charge nurse Correct answer.
  3. apply a heating pad to the spot
  4. rub the area to improve circulation

Explanation

Redness that does not blanch is an early sign of pressure injury and must be reported so the care plan can be changed. Massaging the area further damages tissue. Heat and heavy lotions do not treat the underlying pressure.

Question 37Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident is receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula. Which item is a fire hazard near this resident?

  1. a cotton blanket
  2. petroleum-based ointment Correct answer.
  3. a plastic water pitcher
  4. a metal spoon

Explanation

Oxygen makes materials burn faster, and petroleum-based products are flammable, so they are kept away from residents on oxygen. Dry, chapped nostrils are reported to the nurse, who selects a water-based lubricant. Cotton, plastic, and metal items are not the specific hazard here.

Question 38Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

After applying a cold pack to a resident's ankle, the nurse aide should:

  1. press firmly on the pack for five minutes
  2. remove it after about 20 minutes Correct answer.
  3. cover it with a heating pad
  4. leave it in place for one hour

Explanation

Cold application is limited to about 20 minutes at a time to avoid tissue damage from reduced blood flow. The skin is checked during and after use and the pack is wrapped in a cloth. Heat is never applied at the same time.

Question 39Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

To reduce the risk of choking while feeding a resident, the nurse aide should:

  1. let the resident lie flat in bed with the head slightly raised
  2. feed the resident quickly to finish the tray
  3. give fluids with every second bite
  4. sit the resident upright at about 90 degrees Correct answer.

Explanation

An upright position lets gravity help move food down and keeps the airway open. The resident is fed slowly, with small bites and time to chew and swallow. Lying flat greatly increases choking risk.

Question 40Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When cleaning the eyes of an unresponsive resident, the nurse aide wipes:

  1. from the inner corner toward the outer corner Correct answer.
  2. in a circular motion around the eyelid
  3. from the outer corner toward the inner corner
  4. with the same cloth from one eye to the other

Explanation

Wiping from the inner corner outward carries secretions away from the tear duct and nasal area. A separate clean area of the cloth is used for each eye. Reusing the same cloth or wiping inward can spread infection.

Question 41Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When emptying a resident's colostomy pouch, the nurse aide should:

  1. empty it into a measuring container Correct answer.
  2. pull the pouch off the skin each time
  3. rinse the pouch with hot water and bleach
  4. cut the opening larger to speed drainage

Explanation

The pouch is opened at the bottom and drained into a container so the stool can be measured and described. The pouch stays attached to the skin barrier and is cleaned gently at the opening. Bleach and hot water damage the pouch material.

Question 42Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When collecting a stool specimen, the nurse aide should:

  1. use a clean container with a tight lid Correct answer.
  2. keep the specimen at room temperature for a day
  3. mix the sample with urine to loosen it
  4. send the specimen in the resident's own cup

Explanation

Stool specimens go into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid that is labeled and sent to the lab promptly. Urine mixed with the sample makes the test unreliable. The specimen is not left sitting out at room temperature.

Question 43Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When a resident removes a hearing aid for the night, the nurse aide should:

  1. turn it off and place it in a labeled case Correct answer.
  2. wrap it in a paper towel in the bed
  3. wash the whole device under running water
  4. store it in a sunny window

Explanation

Hearing aids are turned off, the battery is removed if the aide is taught to do so, and the device is stored dry in a labeled case. Water damages the electronics. Storing it in the bed risks loss or breakage.

Question 44Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

When a restraint is in use, the nurse aide must:

  1. tie it to the side rails
  2. check circulation every 15 minutes Correct answer.
  3. apply it as tightly as possible
  4. remove it only at bedtime

Explanation

Circulation, breathing, and skin are checked at least every 15 minutes, along with offering fluids and toileting. Restraints are tied to the bed frame, never to the side rails, and are released according to the care plan. Tightness is checked so two fingers fit under the strap.

Question 45Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident's radial pulse is 48 beats per minute and regular. The nurse aide should:

  1. ask the resident to walk around the room
  2. record it and report the finding to the nurse Correct answer.
  3. wait an hour and recheck it before telling anyone
  4. record it as a normal finding

Explanation

A rate below 60 beats per minute is outside the usual adult range and must be reported; the nurse decides what action to take. The aide records the actual rate along with the time. The aide does not treat the pulse or delay reporting an abnormal value.

Question 46Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has an indwelling urinary catheter. When providing catheter care, the nurse aide should:

  1. clean the meatus with alcohol and a cotton swab
  2. pull firmly on the tubing to reach the skin
  3. hold the catheter near the meatus and clean outward Correct answer.
  4. rinse the catheter tip with hydrogen peroxide

Explanation

The catheter is held steady near the urinary opening while warm soapy water is used to clean away from the opening. Holding the tubing prevents pulling on the bladder. Alcohol, peroxide, and tugging irritate tissue and are not used.

Question 47Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who recently had hip replacement surgery is being repositioned. The nurse aide must:

  1. keep the hip from bending more than 90 degrees Correct answer.
  2. place the resident on the operated side first
  3. cross the resident's legs at the knees
  4. raise the knee toward the chest on the operated side

Explanation

After hip replacement the new joint can dislocate if the hip is flexed too far, so hip flexion stays at 90 degrees or less. Pillows are placed between the legs when turning, and the care plan specifies which side to use. Twisting and crossing the legs are avoided.

Question 48Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

While feeding a resident, the nurse aide notices coughing and a wet, gurgling voice. The aide should:

  1. give a sip of water to clear the throat
  2. lie the resident flat and finish the meal
  3. stop feeding and report to the nurse Correct answer.
  4. continue but feed more slowly

Explanation

Coughing and a wet voice during a meal suggest that food or fluid has entered the airway, so feeding stops at once and the nurse is told. The resident is kept upright. Giving more fluid or lying the resident flat would worsen the situation.

Question 49Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has refused a bath for the third day in a row. The nurse aide should:

  1. tell the resident a bath is required today
  2. ask a coworker to hold the resident's arm
  3. give the bath anyway to keep the skin clean
  4. respect the refusal and report it to the nurse Correct answer.

Explanation

Residents have the right to refuse care, and the aide documents the refusal and tells the nurse, who explores the reason and the care plan. Forcing or physically holding a resident is a form of abuse. The aide may offer alternatives such as a partial bath.

Question 50Providing Personal Care and Basic Nursing Skills

A resident removes her dentures before going to sleep. What should the nurse aide do with the dentures?

  1. Soak them overnight in hot water to loosen food particles.
  2. Wrap them in a paper towel and leave them on the bedside table.
  3. Leave them in the bedside drawer to dry out overnight.
  4. Place them in a labeled container filled with cool water. Correct answer.

Explanation

Dentures are kept moist when out of the mouth because drying can cause them to warp and lose their fit. They should be stored in a container labeled with the resident's name, using cool water rather than hot water, which can distort the acrylic material.