Wisconsin CNA study guide
Wisconsin CNA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Wisconsin Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation is the assessment step that candidates complete on the path to listing as a nurse aide in Wisconsin. It is intended for people who have finished a state-approved nurse aide training program, and for others who need to demonstrate entry-level competence in long-term care settings. The Wisconsin CNA study guide has 9 sections and about 3,356 words.
01Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Communication is the nurse aide's primary clinical tool. Know the difference between verbal (words, tone, volume) and nonverbal messages (posture, facial expression, touch, proximity, eye contact), and remember that when the two conflict, people believe the nonverbal one.
393 words, about 2 min02Infection Control
Think in terms of the chain of infection : infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host. Every technique you are tested on breaks one link.
364 words, about 2 min03Safety and Emergency Procedures
Safety questions usually test prevention and priority . Fall prevention: keep the bed low and locked, wheels braked, call light and personal items within reach, non-skid footwear on, floor clear, and answer call lights promptly.
399 words, about 2 min04Resident Rights and Promotion of Independence
Resident rights come from federal law (OBRA) and state rules. Know them as concrete behaviors, not slogans: the right to dignity and respect , privacy (including during care, visits, phone calls, and mail), confidentiality of health information, choice (of activities, clothing, schedule, roommate where possible), self-determination , freedom from abuse, neglect, and seclusion , access and visitation , personal possessions , grievances without retaliation , and refusal of care .
364 words, about 2 min05Basic Nursing Skills and Personal Care Skills
This domain tests sequence and technique. Always begin and end with hand hygiene and safety checks.
383 words, about 2 min06Mental Health and Social Service Needs
Every resident has psychosocial needs alongside physical ones: safety, belonging, self-esteem, dignity, control, and meaningful activity. Recognize common presentations of depression (withdrawal, poor appetite, hopelessness, sleep change), anxiety (restlessness, pacing, repeated questions), grief , delirium (sudden onset, fluctuating, often from infection, medication, or dehydration), and dementia (gradual, progressive).
329 words, about 2 min07Care of Cognitively Impaired Residents
Dementia affects memory, judgment, language, and the ability to perform self-care, but the person retains feelings and dignity. Care is built on routine, consistency, simplicity, and safety .
375 words, about 2 min08Basic Restorative Services
Restorative care aims to maintain or regain function , not to do everything for the resident. Know the principles of range of motion (active, active-assistive, passive - never force a joint past resistance or to the point of pain), positioning with proper body alignment and support, and the use of splints and orthotic devices (check skin before and after, apply as ordered, remove for scheduled skin care).
372 words, about 2 min09Legal and Ethical Behavior / Role of the Nurse Aide
Know your scope of practice : you perform tasks delegated by the licensed nurse, and you are accountable for doing them correctly and reporting. You may not assess, teach about medications, adjust oxygen, change sterile dressings, or perform any task you have not been trained and delegated to do.
377 words, about 2 min