Pennsylvania CNA study guide
Pennsylvania CNA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Exam is the assessment step in Pennsylvania's nurse aide credentialing pathway, which is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). Candidates are typically people preparing to work as nursing assistants, resident aides, or direct caregivers in nursing homes and other long-term care settings - including students finishing a state-approved nurse aide training program and experienced workers seeking placement on the state nurse aide registry. The exam has two parts. A written multiple-choice portion samples knowledge across the whole scope of aide practice: the aide's role and its limits, safety and emergency response, promoting resident function and health, basic nursing care such as bathing, feeding, and mobility, and recognizing changes in a resident's condition. The Pennsylvania CNA study guide has 5 sections and about 1,580 words.
01Role of the Nurse Aide
A nurse aide provides direct personal care under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN). Your job description and your training program define what you may do.
341 words, about 2 min02Promotion of Safety
Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent infection. Perform it before and after every resident contact, before putting on gloves, and after removing them.
301 words, about 2 min03Promotion of Function and Health of Residents
Range-of-motion exercises keep joints from stiffening. Move the joint gently until you feel resistance, never past pain, and support the limb above and below the joint.
321 words, about 2 min04Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nurse Aide
Know normal ranges and report anything outside them. Count respirations for a full minute without telling the resident.
310 words, about 2 min05Providing Specialized Care for Residents with Changes in Health
Residents change quickly. Your job is to recognize, report to the licensed nurse, and document - not to diagnose.
307 words, about 2 min