Basic Nursing Skills Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the Basic Nursing Skills exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 Basic Nursing Skills Exam Format at a Glance
📚 Basic Nursing Skills Topics to Study (23)
✍️ Sample Basic Nursing Skills Questions & Answers
1. A patient on a clear liquid diet may have:
Clear liquid diets include transparent or translucent liquids such as broth, gelatin, apple juice, and popsicles — nothing that is opaque.
2. A patient's pulse rate is 48 beats per minute. What should the CNA do?
A pulse rate of 48 beats per minute is significantly below the normal adult range of 60-100 bpm, indicating bradycardia. This finding could signal a serious underlying medical condition, requiring prompt attention. Therefore, the CNA should first retake the pulse to confirm the accuracy of the reading, and then immediately report this critical finding to the nurse for further assessment and intervention.
3. When providing mouth care for an unconscious patient, the CNA should:
When providing mouth care for an unconscious patient, the primary concern is preventing aspiration (inhaling fluid into the lungs). Turning the patient's head to the side allows gravity to drain fluids out of the mouth, and using minimal liquid reduces the risk of choking or aspiration. This technique ensures safety while maintaining oral hygiene.
4. Normal adult oral temperature is approximately:
Normal adult oral temperature is approximately 37.0°C (98.6°F), though 36.1–37.2°C is an accepted range.
5. The Trendelenburg position involves:
Trendelenburg position has the patient supine with the lower extremities elevated above the head, formerly used for shock (use is now debated).
6. A patient's oral temperature reading is 102.6°F. What should the CNA do first?
A significantly elevated temperature like 102.6°F is an abnormal finding that requires verification. Retaking the temperature ensures accuracy and rules out equipment malfunction or improper technique before reporting to the nurse or initiating interventions. This prevents unnecessary alarm or interventions based on a potentially false reading.