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Oklahoma CNA study materials
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Oklahoma CNA practice questions

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Question 1Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Which action best demonstrates active listening when a resident is speaking?

  1. Changing the subject to a lighter topic
  2. Restating the resident's main point Correct answer.
  3. Watching the television while the resident talks
  4. Finishing the resident's sentences quickly

Explanation

Active listening means giving full attention and confirming that you understood the speaker. Restating the main point shows the resident you heard the message and invites correction if needed. It also helps keep communication clear and resident-centered.

Question 2Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Which is an example of nonverbal communication?

  1. Writing a note in the care record
  2. Smiling at a resident during care Correct answer.
  3. Reading the care plan aloud
  4. Speaking on the telephone

Explanation

Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, posture, gestures, and touch. A smile sends a message without words. Written and spoken words are verbal forms of communication.

Question 3Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Which question is open-ended?

  1. Do you need your pain medication?
  2. Did you sleep well?
  3. What would you like to discuss today? Correct answer.
  4. Are you comfortable now?

Explanation

Open-ended questions invite the resident to give more than a yes or no answer. Asking what the resident would like to discuss encourages conversation and choice. The other questions can be answered with a single word.

Question 4Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident asks to be called 'Miss Ruth.' How should the nurse aide respond?

  1. Call the resident 'Miss Ruth' as requested Correct answer.
  2. Use 'honey' because it sounds caring
  3. Use the resident's first name to keep things friendly
  4. Avoid using any name when speaking

Explanation

Using the name a resident prefers shows respect and supports dignity. Terms of endearment can feel overly familiar or belittling to some residents. The aide should follow the resident's stated preference.

Question 5Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Before entering a resident's room, the nurse aide should

  1. Call the resident's name from the hallway
  2. Knock and wait for permission to enter Correct answer.
  3. Enter without knocking to save time
  4. Open the door quickly to check on the resident

Explanation

Knocking and waiting protects the resident's privacy and gives the resident control over the room. It is part of respectful, person-centered care. Entering without permission can startle or embarrass the resident.

Question 6Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Which statement uses clear, everyday language?

  1. We will administer the medication per os
  2. You are to receive a PRN antiemetic
  3. Your physician ordered a laxative for constipation
  4. Medicine to help you have a bowel movement Correct answer.

Explanation

Plain language helps residents understand their care without medical terms. Saying medicine to help you have a bowel movement describes the purpose in familiar words. Jargon such as PRN, antiemetic, and per os can confuse residents.

Question 7Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident who is hard of hearing is trying to talk with the nurse aide. What should the aide do?

  1. Face the resident and speak clearly Correct answer.
  2. Speak loudly into the resident's ear
  3. Talk while walking out of the room
  4. Use long, detailed sentences

Explanation

Facing the resident allows the resident to see lip movements and facial cues. Speaking clearly at a normal pace is more helpful than shouting, which can distort sound. Background noise and looking away make speech harder to understand.

Question 8Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident with aphasia is struggling to find a word. What is the best response?

  1. Finish the sentence for the resident
  2. Allow time and ask simple questions Correct answer.
  3. Skip the conversation and leave
  4. Tell the resident to hurry

Explanation

Aphasia can make word finding slow and frustrating, so the resident needs extra time. Simple questions and patience reduce pressure and support communication. Rushing or speaking for the resident can increase frustration.

Question 9Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident speaks only Spanish and needs to discuss care. The nurse aide should

  1. Use hand gestures only
  2. Speak louder in English
  3. Ask the facility for a qualified interpreter Correct answer.
  4. Use the resident's young grandchild to interpret

Explanation

A qualified interpreter helps ensure accurate communication and protects privacy. Children should not be placed in the role of interpreting personal health information. Speaking louder does not make English understandable to a non-English speaker.

Question 10Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident with dementia becomes upset during a conversation. What should the aide do?

  1. Tell the resident to calm down immediately
  2. Use a calm voice and redirect the resident Correct answer.
  3. Speak quickly to finish the conversation
  4. Argue with the resident to correct the facts

Explanation

A calm voice and redirection can reduce distress without confrontation. Arguing about facts may increase agitation because the resident's experience feels real to them. The aide should focus on safety and comfort.

Question 11Communication and Interpersonal Skills

The nurse aide notices a resident's hearing aid is not working. The aide should

  1. Turn the volume up as high as it will go
  2. Tell the resident to speak louder
  3. Put the hearing aid in the resident's drawer
  4. Report it and check that it is clean and on Correct answer.

Explanation

A hearing aid that is off, clogged, or low on battery may stop working. The aide should check basic settings and report the problem so the resident can hear and communicate. The aide should not adjust the device beyond facility policy.

Question 12Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident says, 'I am worried about my surgery tomorrow.' Which response is most therapeutic?

  1. You will be fine, don't worry
  2. The doctor does this surgery every day
  3. Let's not talk about that now
  4. This seems like a scary time Correct answer.

Explanation

A therapeutic response acknowledges the resident's feelings without judging them. Reflecting the emotion shows empathy and invites the resident to talk. False reassurance and changing the subject can shut down communication.

Question 13Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident says, 'I just can't keep doing this.' What is the best way for the aide to clarify the message?

  1. Agree that the resident should stop trying
  2. Tell the resident to get more rest
  3. Change the subject to something pleasant
  4. Ask what the resident means by that Correct answer.

Explanation

Clarifying invites the resident to explain an unclear message. Asking what the resident means helps the aide understand the concern without guessing. Giving advice or changing the subject can miss an important message.

Question 14Communication and Interpersonal Skills

While assisting a resident, the nurse aide notices new slurred speech. What should the aide do first?

  1. Give the resident water and continue care
  2. Report it to the nurse right away Correct answer.
  3. Write it in the care record and wait until the end of the shift
  4. Ask another resident what happened

Explanation

New slurred speech can be a sign of a serious medical problem and must be reported promptly. The nurse needs the information to assess the resident and decide on next steps. Documentation follows reporting, not instead of it.

Question 15Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Where is it appropriate to discuss a resident's care?

  1. At lunch with the aide's friends
  2. In the elevator with a visitor
  3. In the hallway with a coworker
  4. Privately with the care team Correct answer.

Explanation

Resident information should be shared only with the care team and only in a private setting. Hallways, elevators, and social settings can expose private information to others. Confidentiality protects the resident's dignity and legal rights.

Question 16Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Two nurse aides disagree about how to transfer a resident. What is the best first step?

  1. Ignore the disagreement and use a different technique each time
  2. Report the other aide before talking with anyone
  3. Discuss it privately and focus on safety Correct answer.
  4. Argue in front of the resident so the resident can decide

Explanation

Staff disagreements should be handled privately so the resident is not involved or upset. The discussion should focus on the resident's safety and the care plan. If the aides cannot agree, they should involve the nurse or supervisor.

Question 17Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident begins to cry while talking about a lost spouse. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Change the subject to happier memories
  2. Tell the resident that crying will not help
  3. Leave the room to give the resident privacy
  4. Stay, offer a tissue, and listen quietly Correct answer.

Explanation

Staying and listening shows support when a resident is grieving. Offering a tissue is a simple comfort measure, and quiet presence can be more helpful than words. The aide should allow the resident to express feelings without judgment.

Question 18Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident says, 'I'm fine,' but is crying and holding a family photo. What should the aide do?

  1. Note the sadness and invite the resident to talk Correct answer.
  2. Tell the resident to stop crying right now
  3. Ask the resident to put the family photo away
  4. Accept the words and leave the room without asking more

Explanation

When words and nonverbal cues do not match, the aide should gently explore the feeling. Naming the observed behavior without judgment gives the resident a chance to share. Ignoring the cues misses an opportunity to provide support.

Question 19Communication and Interpersonal Skills

When calling the nurse about a resident change, which information should the aide give first?

  1. The names of other residents who saw the change
  2. The aide's opinion about the resident's personality
  3. A long story about the aide's busy shift
  4. The room number and the change observed Correct answer.

Explanation

Reports should begin with identifying information and the observed change so the nurse can act quickly. Objective details are more useful than personal opinions or unrelated stories. Other residents' names are not needed and can violate privacy.

Question 20Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A resident from a culture that values greater personal space pulls away during care. What should the aide do?

  1. Ask how much space feels comfortable and adjust Correct answer.
  2. Continue care quickly and ignore the reaction
  3. Use touch more often to build trust
  4. Tell the resident that the aide knows best

Explanation

Personal space and touch preferences can differ by culture and by individual. Asking the resident and adjusting care respects those preferences and supports comfort. Ignoring the resident's reaction can increase anxiety and reduce cooperation.

Question 21Infection Control

How long should a nurse aide scrub the hands with soap and water during routine handwashing?

  1. 5 seconds
  2. 2 minutes
  3. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  4. 10 seconds

Explanation

Routine handwashing should last at least 20 seconds, which is about the time it takes to hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice. This contact time allows soap and friction to lift and rinse away transient microorganisms. Longer scrubbing is reserved for surgical hand antisepsis, not routine care.

Question 22Infection Control

Why is an alcohol-based hand rub a poor choice after caring for a resident with Clostridioides difficile diarrhea?

  1. It leaves a sticky film that traps bacteria
  2. It is flammable when oxygen is in use nearby
  3. It dries the skin more than soap and water does
  4. Alcohol does not destroy C. diff spores Correct answer.

Explanation

C. difficile forms spores that survive alcohol-based products, so the mechanical action of soap and water is needed to wash spores off the hands. Soap and water is the required hand hygiene method when caring for residents with known or suspected C. difficile. Alcohol rubs are still appropriate for most other routine situations.

Question 23Infection Control

Standard precautions should be used with which residents?

  1. All residents at all times Correct answer.
  2. Only residents in contact isolation
  3. Only residents who have a fever
  4. Only residents with a known infection

Explanation

Standard precautions treat every resident's blood, body fluids, secretions, and non-intact skin as potentially infectious because a person can carry germs without showing symptoms. They are the baseline level of protection used for everyone in the facility. Transmission-based precautions are added when a specific organism is identified or suspected.

Question 24Infection Control

After completing care, which item of personal protective equipment should the nurse aide remove first?

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

Explanation

Gloves are removed first because they are the most contaminated item and should be taken off before touching the face or other equipment. After the gloves come goggles or face shield, then the gown, with the mask or respirator removed last by the ties or straps. Hand hygiene follows immediately after all PPE is removed.

Question 25Infection Control

When putting on personal protective equipment, which item should the nurse aide apply last?

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

Explanation

The usual donning sequence is gown first, then mask or respirator, then goggles or face shield, and gloves last. Gloves go on last so their clean outer surface is not contaminated while tying the gown or adjusting the mask. This order also makes removal in the reverse sequence easier.

Question 26Infection Control

A nurse aide wears gloves while giving a bed bath. What should the aide do after removing the gloves?

  1. Wipe the hands with a dry paper towel
  2. Apply lotion to keep the skin from cracking
  3. Perform hand hygiene Correct answer.
  4. Nothing, because the gloves protected the hands

Explanation

Gloves can have tiny defects and can become contaminated while being removed, so hand hygiene is required every time gloves are taken off. Hand hygiene is also performed before putting gloves on. Gloves are a supplement to handwashing, never a substitute for it.

Question 27Infection Control

A nurse aide is stuck by a used needle. What is the first action the aide should take?

  1. Squeeze the site to make it bleed
  2. Wash the site with soap and water Correct answer.
  3. Fill out an incident report form
  4. Report the incident to the supervisor

Explanation

Immediately after a sharps injury the site should be washed with soap and water, and mucous membranes should be flushed with water, to reduce the chance of infection. Reporting to the supervisor and completing an incident report follow, so the exposure can be evaluated and treatment started promptly. Squeezing or using caustic agents is not recommended.

Question 28Infection Control

How should a used needle be handled after an injection?

  1. Recap it and place it in the trash
  2. Break the needle off the syringe
  3. Drop it into a sharps container Correct answer.
  4. Wrap it in a paper towel and discard it

Explanation

Used needles go directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container located close to where the item was used. Recapping, bending, or breaking needles causes needlestick injuries and is prohibited. A sharps container is never filled past the fill line and is never placed in regular trash.

Question 29Infection Control

How should a nurse aide carry soiled bed linens?

  1. Carried loose over the shoulder
  2. Shaken out first to remove crumbs
  3. Away from the uniform, inside a bag Correct answer.
  4. Pressed against the chest to keep balance

Explanation

Soiled linen is bagged at the point of use and held away from the body so microorganisms are not transferred to the uniform. Linen is never shaken, because shaking releases organisms into the air and onto surfaces. Linen that is wet or heavily soiled is placed in a leak-resistant bag.

Question 30Infection Control

Which container is used for disposable items that are saturated with blood?

  1. A red biohazard bag Correct answer.
  2. A clear plastic bag
  3. A white linen bag
  4. A black trash bag

Explanation

Items saturated with blood or other potentially infectious material are placed in a red biohazard bag or a labeled biohazard container. These bags are marked with the biohazard symbol and are handled according to the facility's exposure control plan. Regular trash and linen bags must never be used for this waste.

Question 31Infection Control

A resident is on airborne precautions for tuberculosis. What should the nurse aide wear when entering the room?

  1. An N95 respirator Correct answer.
  2. No mask is needed for this resident
  3. A standard surgical mask
  4. A cloth face covering over the mouth

Explanation

Airborne precautions are used for organisms that remain infectious while suspended in the air, such as tuberculosis and measles, so a fit-tested N95 or higher respirator is required. A surgical mask does not seal tightly enough to filter these small particles. The aide should also check that the room's negative-pressure ventilation is functioning before entering.

Question 32Infection Control

A resident with influenza is on droplet precautions. What should visitors wear when within 6 feet of the resident?

  1. An N95 respirator
  2. A surgical mask Correct answer.
  3. Gloves only
  4. A gown and shoe covers

Explanation

Droplet precautions apply to organisms spread by large respiratory droplets, such as influenza, and require a surgical mask for anyone within about 6 feet of the resident. Droplets do not travel far through the air, so a fit-tested respirator is not required. Hand hygiene and sometimes a gown and gloves are added based on the task.

Question 33Infection Control

A resident has Clostridioides difficile diarrhea. Which precautions are required?

  1. Airborne precautions with an N95
  2. Contact precautions with gown and gloves Correct answer.
  3. Droplet precautions with a surgical mask
  4. Standard precautions only

Explanation

C. difficile is spread by contact with spores on hands, surfaces, and equipment, so contact precautions with gown and gloves are required, along with soap and water for hand hygiene. Dedicated equipment such as a dedicated thermometer helps prevent spread. Standard precautions alone are not enough once an organism like this is identified.

Question 34Infection Control

Which statement about disinfection is accurate?

  1. It destroys all microorganisms including spores
  2. It is the same as sanitizing dishes
  3. It kills most germs but not all spores Correct answer.
  4. It is only used on living tissue

Explanation

Disinfection uses chemicals to destroy most pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces but does not reliably kill bacterial spores. Sterilization, which uses heat or chemical methods under controlled conditions, destroys all microorganisms including spores. Antiseptics are the products used on living tissue.

Question 35Infection Control

Where should a urinary drainage bag be kept while a resident is in bed?

  1. Resting on the floor beside the bed
  2. Hanging on the IV pole at chest height
  3. On the bed next to the resident
  4. Below the level of the bladder Correct answer.

Explanation

The drainage bag must stay below the level of the bladder so urine flows out and does not back up into the bladder, which can cause infection. The bag should hang on a frame or hook rather than touch the floor, and the tubing should be free of loops and kinks. The bag is emptied regularly and the spout is kept off the floor.

Question 36Infection Control

In which direction should the perineal area be washed?

  1. Side to side
  2. Back to front
  3. In small circles
  4. Front to back Correct answer.

Explanation

Washing from the urinary meatus toward the rectum, or front to back, keeps stool away from the urethra and helps prevent urinary tract infections. A clean washcloth is used for each stroke, and the soiled cloth is not returned to the clean area. Back-to-front washing pulls fecal organisms toward the urethra.

Question 37Infection Control

A nurse aide's mask becomes damp during care. What should the aide do?

  1. Replace it with a dry mask Correct answer.
  2. Pull it down around the neck
  3. Leave it on until the task is done
  4. Wipe it with a disinfectant wipe

Explanation

A mask that is wet or damp loses its ability to filter and should be replaced with a dry one, using hand hygiene before and after the change. Masks are never pulled down to hang around the neck, because the outside is contaminated and the neck is not a clean storage spot. Disinfectant wipes are not for use on masks.

Question 38Infection Control

When should a nurse aide change gloves?

  1. After caring for two residents
  2. Once at the end of the shift
  3. After each resident and each task Correct answer.
  4. Only when they are visibly soiled or torn

Explanation

Gloves are changed between residents and between tasks on the same resident, such as moving from perineal care to mouth care, along with hand hygiene each time. Gloves that look clean can still carry organisms, so appearance alone does not determine when to change them. Torn or heavily soiled gloves are changed immediately.

Question 39Infection Control

A small amount of blood spills on the floor. What should the nurse aide do first?

  1. Pour bleach directly onto the blood
  2. Don gloves, then blot it up Correct answer.
  3. Mop it up with a dry mop and hot water
  4. Wait for housekeeping to clean it

Explanation

The aide puts on gloves before touching the spill, absorbs the blood with disposable towels, and then cleans the area with an approved disinfectant at the correct contact time. Personal protective equipment must come before cleanup so no bare skin contacts blood. Bleach is used diluted according to facility policy, not poured undiluted onto a spill.

Question 40Infection Control

Which finding should a nurse aide report to the nurse as a possible sign of infection?

  1. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
  2. A respiratory rate of 16 per minute
  3. A pulse of 72 beats per minute
  4. A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit Correct answer.

Explanation

A temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher is generally considered a fever and is a common sign of infection, especially when paired with other changes such as confusion, foul-smelling urine, or redness at a wound. Aides report any new sign of infection to the nurse promptly. The other values listed fall within normal adult ranges.

Question 41Safety and Emergency Procedures

When using a fire extinguisher with the PASS method, what should be done first?

  1. Pull the pin Correct answer.
  2. Squeeze the handle
  3. Point at the base
  4. Sweep the spray

Explanation

PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep, and the steps are performed in that order. The pin must be pulled before the handle can be squeezed and the extinguisher discharged. Aiming at the base of the fire comes after the pin is pulled.

Question 42Safety and Emergency Procedures

The nurse aide sees flames coming from a resident's room. What should the aide do first?

  1. Close all doors on the unit
  2. Move the resident to safety Correct answer.
  3. Find the fire extinguisher
  4. Call the facility operator

Explanation

Fire response follows RACE: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish or Evacuate. Human life is protected before alarms, doors, or equipment are handled. Only after the resident is out of danger should the aide activate the alarm and help contain the fire.

Question 43Safety and Emergency Procedures

Which condition in a resident's room creates the greatest risk of a fall?

  1. A bed frame locked in low position
  2. A wet floor from a spilled drink Correct answer.
  3. A call light within the resident's reach
  4. A night light glowing in the hallway

Explanation

A spill makes the floor slippery and is a leading environmental cause of falls in long-term care. Staff should wipe up spills at once or stand guard and post a wet-floor sign until the surface is dry. Reachable call lights, night lights, and low beds all reduce fall risk rather than create it.

Question 44Safety and Emergency Procedures

While making rounds, the nurse aide finds a resident lying on the floor. What should the aide do first?

  1. Ask the resident to stand up slowly
  2. Lift the resident back into bed
  3. Go to the nurses' station to report
  4. Stay with the resident and call for help Correct answer.

Explanation

A resident found on the floor may have fractures, a head injury, or internal bleeding and must not be moved until the nurse assesses them. The aide stays with the resident, keeps them still and warm, and summons help using the call system or a coworker. Moving or leaving the resident could worsen an injury or delay emergency care.

Question 45Safety and Emergency Procedures

A resident has a physician-ordered wrist restraint. Which action by the nurse aide is correct?

  1. Leave the restraint on during meals
  2. Check skin color and pulse often Correct answer.
  3. Tighten the strap each hour
  4. Tie the restraint to the side rail

Explanation

Any restraint requires frequent checks of circulation, skin condition, and breathing, with the restraint released at regular intervals for range of motion, meals, and toileting. The strap should be attached to a fixed part of the bed frame so the rail can still move, and it should be loose enough to slip two fingers under it. Tightening the strap restricts blood flow and is never appropriate.

Question 46Safety and Emergency Procedures

A resident begins to have a seizure in the dining room. What should the nurse aide do?

  1. Protect the resident's head from injury Correct answer.
  2. Place a spoon between the teeth
  3. Hold the resident's arms and legs still
  4. Give the resident water to drink

Explanation

During a seizure the aide lowers the resident to the floor if possible, cushions the head, moves furniture away, and loosens tight clothing. Nothing is placed in the mouth and the movements are not restrained. The aide notes the time and what happened, then reports to the nurse.

Question 47Safety and Emergency Procedures

A resident who is eating suddenly cannot speak or cough and is turning red. What should the aide do?

  1. Wait for the resident's cough to return
  2. Offer the resident a sip of water
  3. Stand behind and give abdominal thrusts Correct answer.
  4. Lower the resident flat to the floor

Explanation

The inability to speak or cough signals a complete airway obstruction, which is a medical emergency. For a conscious adult, the responder stands behind the person and delivers abdominal thrusts until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. Fluids and waiting allow the airway to stay blocked.

Question 48Safety and Emergency Procedures

When giving chest compressions to an adult during CPR, how deep should the chest be pressed?

  1. At least two inches Correct answer.
  2. About one inch
  3. As deep as possible
  4. About half an inch

Explanation

Adult chest compressions are delivered at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least two inches, allowing full recoil between compressions. Shallow compressions do not move enough blood to the brain and heart. Pressing far beyond the recommended depth increases the risk of internal injury.

Question 49Safety and Emergency Procedures

A resident is using a nasal cannula for oxygen. Which item should be kept away from the resident?

  1. Petroleum jelly Correct answer.
  2. A cotton blanket
  3. A plastic water pitcher
  4. Water-based lotion

Explanation

Oxygen does not burn itself but makes flames spread rapidly, so all sources of ignition must be avoided. Oil-based products such as petroleum jelly can ignite and cause serious burns, so water-based lubricants are used instead. Smoking, sparks, and alcohol-based products are also kept away from oxygen users.

Question 50Safety and Emergency Procedures

A resident tells the aide, "I have crushing chest pain that goes into my arm." What should the aide do?

  1. Wait 15 minutes and recheck
  2. Stay with the resident and notify the nurse Correct answer.
  3. Give the resident an antacid
  4. Tell the resident to walk it off

Explanation

Crushing chest pain that radiates to the arm is a classic sign of a heart attack and requires immediate emergency response. The aide stays with the resident, keeps them calm and at rest, and gets the nurse so EMS can be called. Any delay increases the risk of permanent heart damage.