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Oregon CNA practice questions

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Question 1Basic Nursing Skills

A nursing assistant has just finished emptying a resident's urinary drainage bag and is preparing to leave the room. What should be done before touching the door handle?

  1. Wait until reaching the nurses' station to clean the hands
  2. Pull on a fresh pair of clean gloves
  3. Wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub Correct answer.
  4. Rinse the hands with plain water only

Explanation

Hand hygiene is required after any contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated equipment and before leaving the resident's room. Soap and water or an alcohol-based rub physically removes or kills organisms; gloves are not a substitute for cleaning the hands.

Question 2Basic Nursing Skills

Which range represents a normal adult oral temperature?

  1. 100.0°F to 101.4°F (37.8°C to 38.6°C)
  2. 101.6°F to 103.0°F (38.7°C to 39.4°C)
  3. 95.0°F to 96.8°F (35.0°C to 36.0°C)
  4. 97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C) Correct answer.

Explanation

A normal adult oral temperature falls within roughly 97.6°F to 99.6°F (36.4°C to 37.6°C). Readings below this range suggest hypothermia, while readings above about 100.4°F indicate fever.

Question 3Basic Nursing Skills

Which site is most commonly used to measure a routine pulse in an adult resident?

  1. Apical site at the apex of the heart
  2. Popliteal site behind the knee
  3. Radial site at the wrist Correct answer.
  4. Pedal site on the top of the foot

Explanation

The radial artery at the thumb side of the wrist is easily accessible, safe, and requires no equipment, so it is the standard site for a routine pulse. Other sites are chosen for specific assessments or when the radial pulse cannot be felt.

Question 4Basic Nursing Skills

How should a nursing assistant count a resident's respirations?

  1. Count each rise and fall of the chest for one full minute Correct answer.
  2. Count only breaths taken through the nose
  3. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by four
  4. Ask the resident to breathe deeply while counting

Explanation

One respiration is one complete inhalation plus one exhalation, and a full minute gives an accurate count even if the rhythm is irregular. The count is done without telling the resident so the breathing pattern stays natural.

Question 5Basic Nursing Skills

Which practice gives the most accurate daily weight for a resident?

  1. Weighing with shoes on in the morning and off at night
  2. Weighing on a different scale each day to compare results
  3. Weighing immediately after the resident eats a large meal
  4. Using the same scale, at the same time, with similar clothing Correct answer.

Explanation

Weights are comparable only when conditions are consistent, so the same scale is used at the same time of day (usually morning, before breakfast, after voiding) with similar clothing. Comparing weights taken under different conditions can hide real fluid gains or losses.

Question 6Basic Nursing Skills

While making an occupied bed, where should the nursing assistant place soiled linens after removing them?

  1. On the floor beside the bed
  2. On the overbed table until the bed is finished
  3. Directly into the linen hamper or bag Correct answer.
  4. On the chair next to the bed

Explanation

Soiled linens go directly into the linen hamper without being held against the body or set on surfaces, which limits the spread of microorganisms. Linens are never placed on the floor.

Question 7Basic Nursing Skills

Which action best reduces the risk of a fall when a resident is resting in bed?

  1. Keeping the room dark so the resident can rest quietly
  2. Leaving both side rails down so the resident can exit easily
  3. Placing the call light and personal items within reach Correct answer.
  4. Raising the bed to waist height so the resident can see out

Explanation

Residents often fall while trying to reach items or climb over rails, so keeping the call light, water, and personal items within reach removes the reason to get up unassisted. The bed is also kept in the lowest position with wheels locked.

Question 8Basic Nursing Skills

In which situation must a nursing assistant wear gloves?

  1. When helping a resident choose clothing for the day
  2. When providing perineal care Correct answer.
  3. When answering the resident's call light
  4. When delivering a meal tray to a resident

Explanation

Gloves are required whenever contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is likely, and perineal care involves all of these. Routine tasks with no anticipated exposure do not require gloves.

Question 9Basic Nursing Skills

While deflating a blood pressure cuff, the nursing assistant hears the first clear tapping sound. What does this sound represent?

  1. The systolic pressure Correct answer.
  2. The diastolic pressure
  3. The mean arterial pressure
  4. The pulse pressure

Explanation

The first clear tapping sound heard as the cuff deflates reflects the pressure at which blood begins to flow through the artery again, which is the systolic pressure. The point where the sound disappears is recorded as the diastolic pressure.

Question 10Basic Nursing Skills

For which resident should the nursing assistant count an apical pulse instead of a radial pulse?

  1. A resident with an irregular radial pulse Correct answer.
  2. A resident who is sleeping quietly
  3. A resident with a cast on the right arm
  4. A resident who has just finished eating

Explanation

An apical pulse is counted with a stethoscope when the radial pulse is irregular, when a peripheral pulse is difficult to feel, or when the resident takes medications that affect heart rate. It gives a more accurate central heart rate than a peripheral site.

Question 11Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who has been on bed rest says she feels dizzy when sitting up. What should the nursing assistant do first?

  1. Lower the head of the bed and leave her alone to rest
  2. Tell her to take several fast, deep breaths before standing
  3. Have her dangle her legs at the bedside before standing Correct answer.
  4. Assist her to stand and walk to the bathroom now

Explanation

Dizziness on sitting suggests orthostatic hypotension, and having the resident sit on the edge of the bed with legs dangling lets blood pressure adjust gradually before standing. The nursing assistant stays with the resident and reports repeated episodes to the nurse.

Question 12Basic Nursing Skills

Which technique shows correct body mechanics when lifting a heavy object?

  1. Bend at the waist and twist to reach the object
  2. Hold the object at arm's length away from the body
  3. Bend the knees, keep the back straight, hold the load close Correct answer.
  4. Keep the feet close together for balance

Explanation

Bending the knees and keeping the back straight uses the strong leg muscles, and holding the load close to the body reduces strain on the spine. Twisting while lifting and reaching away from the body are common causes of back injury.

Question 13Basic Nursing Skills

Where should a gait belt be applied before assisting a resident to walk?

  1. Under the resident's arms across the upper chest
  2. Loosely around the waist so two hands fit underneath
  3. Snugly around the resident's waist, over the clothing Correct answer.
  4. Around the resident's upper thighs

Explanation

A gait belt is placed snugly around the waist over clothing so it can be gripped securely without pinching skin. It should never be placed over the chest, under the arms, or so loosely that it slides.

Question 14Basic Nursing Skills

When is passive range of motion appropriate for a resident?

  1. When the resident has a new fracture in the limb
  2. When the resident wants to build strength against resistance
  3. When the resident reports pain in the joint during movement
  4. When the resident cannot move a joint without help Correct answer.

Explanation

Passive range of motion is performed when the resident cannot move a joint independently, with the nursing assistant supporting the limb and moving it gently through its normal arc. Exercise is stopped and the nurse notified if pain or resistance occurs.

Question 15Basic Nursing Skills

How should the nursing assistant position a resident who is unconscious and has no cervical spine precautions?

  1. On the side in a lateral position with the head slightly turned Correct answer.
  2. In high-Fowler's position with the neck flexed forward
  3. Flat on the abdomen with the face straight down
  4. On the back with the legs elevated on two pillows

Explanation

A lateral (side-lying) position lets secretions drain from the mouth and keeps the tongue from blocking the airway, reducing the risk of aspiration. The head is kept slightly turned and the airway is monitored.

Question 16Basic Nursing Skills

How often should an immobile resident be repositioned to help prevent pressure injuries?

  1. Once every shift
  2. At least every 2 hours Correct answer.
  3. Only when the resident complains
  4. Once every 4 hours

Explanation

Turning and repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves pressure on bony prominences before tissue damage occurs. Residents on specialty surfaces may follow a different schedule set by the care plan.

Question 17Basic Nursing Skills

How should the nursing assistant collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen?

  1. Ask the resident to urinate into the bedpan and pour it all into the cup
  2. Cleanse the opening, then collect the urine midstream Correct answer.
  3. Collect the first urine that comes out into the cup
  4. Take the specimen from the urinary drainage bag

Explanation

Cleansing the urinary opening first and catching urine after the flow has started flushes organisms from the urethra and reduces contamination of the sample. The specimen is then labeled and sent to the laboratory promptly.

Question 18Basic Nursing Skills

Which of the following is included when measuring a resident's fluid output?

  1. Ice chips eaten during the shift
  2. Water swallowed with medications
  3. Vomitus and wound drainage Correct answer.
  4. Solid food eaten at lunch

Explanation

Output includes all fluid leaving the body, such as urine, vomitus, diarrhea, and wound drainage. Food and fluids taken in by mouth or by tube are recorded as intake, not output.

Question 19Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has a physician-ordered restraint. How often should the nursing assistant check circulation and skin around the restraint?

  1. Every 15 minutes Correct answer.
  2. Once per shift
  3. Every 2 hours
  4. Only when the resident asks

Explanation

Restraints must be checked frequently, at least every 15 minutes, for color, warmth, sensation, and skin integrity, with release and repositioning per policy. Circulatory damage can develop quickly if a restraint is too tight.

Question 20Basic Nursing Skills

Which action is safe when caring for a resident who is receiving oxygen?

  1. Allowing the resident to smoke with the cannula removed
  2. Using an alcohol-based lotion on the resident's face
  3. Keeping the tubing free of kinks and checking the ears for pressure Correct answer.
  4. Placing the oxygen tank flat on the bed beside the resident

Explanation

Oxygen supports combustion, so tubing must stay untangled and flowing, and the ears and nares are checked for irritation from the cannula. Flammable products and open flames are kept away, and the tank is secured upright in a holder.

Question 21Basic Nursing Skills

A nursing assistant applies a warm compress to a resident's leg. Which observation requires removing the compress and reporting to the nurse?

  1. The resident says the compress feels comfortably warm
  2. The skin is dry and intact after five minutes
  3. The skin under the compress is bright red and the resident reports burning Correct answer.
  4. The resident asks to keep the compress on longer

Explanation

Bright redness with burning means the tissue is being injured, so the compress is removed at once and the nurse is notified. Heat is normally limited to about 15 to 20 minutes and the skin is checked every few minutes.

Question 22Basic Nursing Skills

An apical pulse is 92 and the radial pulse is 76, counted over the same minute. What does this finding mean?

  1. No deficit; the two counts should always match
  2. 16 beats; some heartbeats do not produce a radial pulse Correct answer.
  3. 168 beats; the pulses were counted at different times
  4. 16 beats; the radial pulse is stronger than the apical

Explanation

The pulse deficit is the apical rate minus the radial rate, which here is 16, and it means that 16 heartbeats were too weak to create a pulse at the wrist. A deficit is reported to the nurse because it can signal serious cardiac problems.

Question 23Basic Nursing Skills

A blood pressure cuff that is too small for the resident's arm will most likely produce which result?

  1. A falsely low reading
  2. A falsely high reading Correct answer.
  3. An accurate reading if the cuff is deflated slowly
  4. No reading at all

Explanation

A cuff that is too narrow requires more pressure to compress the artery, so the reading is falsely high, while an oversized cuff tends to give a falsely low reading. The bladder should encircle about 80 percent of the arm.

Question 24Basic Nursing Skills

A resident's blood pressure is 128/78 lying, 120/74 sitting, and 96/60 standing. What do these readings suggest?

  1. Hypertension when the resident is lying down
  2. A normal variation that needs no follow-up
  3. Orthostatic hypotension, which should be reported Correct answer.
  4. An error, because systolic pressure rises when standing

Explanation

A drop of at least 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within a few minutes of standing indicates orthostatic hypotension. The drop here is 24 systolic and 14 diastolic, so the nurse is notified and the resident is helped to sit or lie down.

Question 25Basic Nursing Skills

During a shift a resident drinks 4 ounces of juice, 8 ounces of milk, and 180 mL of water. What total intake in milliliters should the nursing assistant record?

  1. 480 mL
  2. 720 mL
  3. 540 mL Correct answer.
  4. 300 mL

Explanation

One ounce equals 30 mL, so 4 ounces is 120 mL and 8 ounces is 240 mL. Adding 120 plus 240 plus 180 gives 540 mL of total intake for the shift.

Question 26Basic Nursing Skills

A nursing assistant is washing her hands with soap and water. How long should she rub her hands together to remove germs effectively?

  1. For at least 3 minutes
  2. For at least 20 seconds Correct answer.
  3. Until the soap lather disappears
  4. For about 5 seconds

Explanation

Friction with soap for at least 20 seconds lifts and rinses away transient microorganisms from the hands. Shorter contact time leaves many organisms behind, while longer scrubbing is not required for routine hand hygiene.

Question 27Basic Nursing Skills

Where should the drainage bag of an indwelling urinary catheter be kept while a resident is in bed?

  1. Resting on the floor beside the bed
  2. Attached to the side rail at chest height
  3. Hanging below the level of the bladder Correct answer.
  4. Placed on the overbed table

Explanation

Gravity keeps urine flowing out of the bladder only when the bag sits below bladder level. Backflow of urine into the bladder raises the risk of urinary tract infection.

Question 28Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has just finished drinking a cup of hot coffee. When should the nursing assistant take an oral temperature?

  1. After waiting about 15 to 30 minutes Correct answer.
  2. After the resident rinses the mouth with cold water
  3. Immediately, before the mouth has a chance to cool
  4. Right away, because hot drinks do not affect the reading

Explanation

Hot or cold food and drink change the temperature inside the mouth, so the reading would be inaccurate. Waiting 15 to 30 minutes allows the mouth to return to body temperature.

Question 29Basic Nursing Skills

In which position should a resident be placed for an enema?

  1. Prone position
  2. Supine with the head of the bed elevated
  3. High Fowler's position
  4. Sims position, lying on the left side Correct answer.

Explanation

The left side-lying (Sims) position follows the natural curve of the colon, so solution flows into the descending colon and rectum. This position also makes it easier for the resident to retain the solution and to use the bedpan afterward.

Question 30Basic Nursing Skills

A nursing assistant notices that a resident's breathing pattern is irregular. How should the respirations be counted?

  1. For 15 seconds and multiply by four
  2. For one full minute Correct answer.
  3. For two full minutes and divide by two
  4. For 30 seconds and multiply by two

Explanation

An irregular rhythm means the rate varies from breath to breath, so only a full 60-second count is accurate. Shorter counts are acceptable only when the rhythm is regular.

Question 31Basic Nursing Skills

When should elastic stockings be applied to a resident?

  1. After the resident has walked to the bathroom
  2. Before the resident gets out of bed in the morning Correct answer.
  3. Only when the resident complains of leg pain
  4. At bedtime, after the legs have been elevated all day

Explanation

Stockings work by preventing blood from pooling in the leg veins, so they must be on before the resident stands or sits with legs down. Once blood has pooled, applying them later is much less effective.

Question 32Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who takes a blood-thinning medication needs a shave. Which item should the nursing assistant use?

  1. A straight-edge razor
  2. A safety razor with a fresh blade
  3. A disposable razor with shaving cream
  4. An electric razor Correct answer.

Explanation

Blood thinners make even a small nick bleed heavily and for a long time. An electric razor cuts hair close to the skin without the sharp edge that causes nicks.

Question 33Basic Nursing Skills

A resident who had hip replacement surgery is lying in bed. How should the nursing assistant position the legs?

  1. With a pillow placed between the legs Correct answer.
  2. With the knees flexed and drawn toward the chest
  3. With the legs hanging over the edge of the bed
  4. With the legs crossed at the ankles

Explanation

A pillow between the legs keeps the hip in abduction, which helps prevent the new joint from dislocating. Crossing the legs or bending the hip past 90 degrees can pop the joint out of place.

Question 34Basic Nursing Skills

A resident begins to have a seizure. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Place a spoon between the resident's teeth
  2. Hold the resident's arms and legs still
  3. Protect the head and move objects away Correct answer.
  4. Leave the resident alone to go get help

Explanation

The priority is to prevent injury, so the head is cushioned and hard objects are moved out of the way while the seizure runs its course. Restraints and objects in the mouth cause harm, and the resident must never be left unattended.

Question 35Basic Nursing Skills

When should the nursing assistant label a specimen container with the resident's information?

  1. At the nurses' station after all specimens are collected
  2. After the shift ends, when there is time to double-check
  3. When the specimen is delivered to the laboratory
  4. At the bedside, before leaving the resident Correct answer.

Explanation

Labeling at the bedside lets the assistant confirm the identity against the resident's identification band at the moment of collection. This prevents specimens from being mixed up and producing wrong results.

Question 36Basic Nursing Skills

Which piece of personal protective equipment should the nursing assistant remove first after providing care?

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

Explanation

Gloves carry the heaviest contamination, so they come off first and hand hygiene follows as soon as the rest of the equipment is removed. Removing them last would spread germs to the face, gown, and surroundings.

Question 37Basic Nursing Skills

While taking a blood pressure, how should the resident's arm be positioned?

  1. Supported level with the heart Correct answer.
  2. Raised above the level of the heart
  3. Hanging down below the waist
  4. Crossed over the chest

Explanation

The cuff must sit at heart level so the reading reflects true arterial pressure. An arm held higher reads falsely low, and an arm hanging down reads falsely high.

Question 38Basic Nursing Skills

A resident with an indwelling urinary catheter has had no urine in the drainage bag for 4 hours and reports fullness in the lower abdomen. What should the nursing assistant do first?

  1. Check the tubing for kinks, then notify the nurse Correct answer.
  2. Irrigate the catheter with sterile water
  3. Encourage the resident to drink extra fluids
  4. Empty the bag and record the output as zero

Explanation

A simple kink or compression is the most common cause of sudden absent drainage and is within the assistant's scope to check. If the tubing is clear, the nurse must be told promptly because bladder distention can cause injury.

Question 39Basic Nursing Skills

A resident's temperature is 101.8 degrees Fahrenheit, pulse is 104, and respirations are 26. What is the most appropriate action?

  1. Give the resident a cool bath to lower the temperature
  2. Wait 30 minutes and recheck only the temperature
  3. Report the findings to the nurse promptly Correct answer.
  4. Record the values and recheck them at the next shift

Explanation

All three values are above normal adult ranges, which together suggest infection or another acute problem. The nursing assistant reports abnormal findings to the nurse rather than choosing a treatment.

Question 40Basic Nursing Skills

A resident has a reddened area over the tailbone that does not blanch when pressed. Why should the nursing assistant avoid rubbing the area?

  1. Massaging can further damage tissue that is already injured Correct answer.
  2. Rubbing cools the skin and slows the healing process
  3. Rubbing makes the area too slippery to reposition the resident
  4. Massage increases blood flow and speeds healing

Explanation

Redness that does not blanch signals a pressure injury, where capillaries and tissue are already damaged. Rubbing squeezes more blood out of these vessels and can deepen the injury, so the area is kept off pressure and reported instead.

Question 41Personal Care Skills

Before starting a bed bath for a resident, when should the nursing assistant perform hand hygiene?

  1. Only after the bath is complete
  2. Only if the resident's skin looks soiled
  3. Only when gloves will not be worn during the bath
  4. Before beginning care and again after care is finished Correct answer.

Explanation

Hand hygiene is performed before contact with each resident and again after care ends, because organisms are passed in both directions. Gloves reduce but do not eliminate the need for washing. Soiled skin is not the trigger for washing; routine contact is.

Question 42Personal Care Skills

What water temperature should the nursing assistant use for a bed bath?

  1. Temperature does not matter as long as the room is warm
  2. Cool, about 80 degrees F, to reduce bleeding
  3. Warm, about 105 degrees F, tested on the inner wrist Correct answer.
  4. As hot as the resident can tolerate, around 120 degrees F

Explanation

Bath water should be comfortably warm, near 105 degrees F, and tested on the inner wrist before use. Hotter water can burn fragile older skin, and cool water chills the resident. Room temperature does not substitute for checking water temperature.

Question 43Personal Care Skills

When giving perineal care to a female resident, in which direction should the nursing assistant wipe?

  1. Side to side across the perineum with firm pressure
  2. In small circles around the urethra
  3. Back to front, using the same washcloth
  4. Front to back, using a clean area each stroke Correct answer.

Explanation

Wiping from the urinary meatus toward the rectum moves organisms away from the urethra and bladder. A fresh part of the washcloth is used for each stroke to avoid recontamination. Front-to-back cleaning is standard for all perineal care.

Question 44Personal Care Skills

How should the nursing assistant handle a resident's dentures?

  1. Wrap them in a tissue and set them on the bedside table
  2. Hold them over a basin of water or a towel-lined sink Correct answer.
  3. Rinse them in hot water to remove bacteria
  4. Clean them with regular toothpaste and a firm brush

Explanation

Dentures break easily when dropped, so they are handled over water or a towel-lined basin. Cool water and a denture brush or soft brush are used, since hot water can warp the material. When out of the mouth they are stored in a labeled cup.

Question 45Personal Care Skills

How often should a resident who cannot move independently be repositioned?

  1. Only when the resident reports discomfort
  2. Every 6 hours, or more often if the skin is reddened
  3. Once each shift
  4. At least every 2 hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Pressure on the same skin areas cuts off blood flow and leads to pressure injury, so repositioning is scheduled at least every 2 hours. Waiting for complaints is unsafe because reduced sensation or sedation may hide discomfort. Six-hour intervals are too long for an immobile resident.

Question 46Personal Care Skills

Before entering a resident's room to provide personal care, the nursing assistant should:

  1. Ask another staff member to check whether the resident is dressed
  2. Wait at the doorway until the resident notices her
  3. Open the door quietly and begin care so the resident is not disturbed
  4. Knock, identify herself, and explain what care is needed Correct answer.

Explanation

Knocking, stating who you are, and explaining the care respects privacy and gives the resident control. Entering without warning violates dignity and may startle the resident. Care is then provided with the door closed and the resident covered.

Question 47Personal Care Skills

During a bed bath, how should the nursing assistant wash a resident's eyes?

  1. With plain warm water, wiping from the inner corner outward Correct answer.
  2. With soapy water, wiping from the outer corner inward
  3. With an alcohol-free cleanser and a separate cloth for each eye
  4. With a washcloth and lotion, then rinse with water

Explanation

Eyes are cleaned with plain warm water, wiping from the inner corner outward so debris moves away from the tear duct. Soap and cleansers irritate the eye. A different area of the cloth is used for each eye to prevent cross-contamination.

Question 48Personal Care Skills

After washing a resident's feet, the nursing assistant should:

  1. Apply lotion generously between the toes
  2. Dry carefully, especially between the toes Correct answer.
  3. Rub the skin briskly with a towel until it is pink
  4. Leave them slightly damp so the skin stays soft

Explanation

Moisture trapped between the toes softens skin and encourages fungal growth, so the area is dried thoroughly. Lotion is applied to the tops and bottoms of the feet but not between the toes. Brisk rubbing can damage fragile skin.

Question 49Personal Care Skills

A resident who takes a blood-thinning medication needs to be shaved. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. Skip shaving entirely and trim the hair with scissors
  2. Use an electric razor rather than a blade Correct answer.
  3. Use a new disposable razor and shave against the hair growth
  4. Apply a hot towel first, then shave with a blade

Explanation

Blood thinners raise the risk of bleeding from small cuts, so an electric razor is the safer choice. Warm compresses and blade shaving both increase bleeding risk. Facility policy and the care plan guide the final decision.

Question 50Personal Care Skills

When dressing a resident who has weakness on the right side after a stroke, the nursing assistant should:

  1. Dress both sides at the same time to save time
  2. Ask the resident to dress alone so the weak side gets exercise
  3. Dress the strong side first, then the weak side
  4. Put clothing on the weak side first, then the strong side Correct answer.

Explanation

Clothing is applied to the weak, or affected, side first and removed from that side last. This lets the stronger arm and leg do the work of pulling garments into place. The same rule is reversed for undressing.