CNA Exam Structure and Content 2

Question 1

During the skills evaluation, the CNA candidate is asked to perform passive range of motion (PROM) for a resident's shoulder.
The resident, who has dementia, grimaces and pulls away but does not verbally complain.
What is the candidate's MOST appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Stop the exercise immediately and report the non-verbal sign of pain to the evaluator.

Answer

Continue the exercise gently, as non-verbal cues can be misleading in residents with dementia.

Answer

Switch to a different joint to see if the resident's reaction is consistent.

Answer

Ask the resident loudly and clearly if they are experiencing pain before continuing.

Question 2

A candidate taking the written portion of the CNA exam encounters a question about a resident with 'orthostatic hypotension'. Which scenario BEST illustrates a correct understanding of this concept in a testing context?

Accepted Answer

A resident's blood pressure drops significantly when they stand up too quickly.

Answer

A resident's pulse becomes irregular after receiving a new medication.

Answer

A resident experiences chronic high blood pressure regardless of position.

Answer

A resident has swelling in the ankles that worsens when they are standing.

Question 3

The skills portion of the CNA exam always includes certain mandatory components. Besides the randomly selected skills, which of the following is considered a 'critical element step' embedded within nearly every skill, the failure of which can lead to immediate failure of the entire skills test?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining standard precautions and infection control, like hand hygiene.

Answer

Verbally explaining every step of the procedure to the resident.

Answer

Finishing the assigned skills within the allotted 30-minute timeframe.

Answer

Ensuring the resident is in a comfortable Fowler's position before starting.

Question 4

On the written exam, a scenario describes a CNA who witnesses a nurse from a different unit pocketing a resident's pain medication. The nurse is an acquaintance, and the CNA fears retaliation. According to legal and ethical principles tested on the exam, what is the CNA's obligation?

Accepted Answer

Immediately and directly report the observation to their charge nurse or supervisor.

Answer

Confront the nurse directly and ask for the medication to be returned.

Answer

Wait to see if the resident complains about missing medication before acting.

Answer

Anonymously report the incident to the facility's compliance hotline.

Question 5

A candidate is asked to perform denture care during the skills evaluation. Which of the following actions represents an edge case that could result in a failing mark if performed incorrectly?

Accepted Answer

Using hot water to thoroughly disinfect the dentures.

Answer

Brushing the dentures over a towel placed on the bedside table.

Answer

Storing the clean dentures in a dry, empty denture cup.

Answer

Wearing gloves while handling the dentures.

Question 6

The written CNA exam includes questions about different domains of care. A question asking the CNA to identify appropriate responses to a resident's spiritual needs falls under which primary content domain according to the NNAAP® outline?

Accepted Answer

Psychosocial Care Skills

Answer

Role of the Nurse Aide

Answer

Physical Care Skills

Answer

Activities of Daily Living

During the skills evaluation, the CNA candidate is asked to perform passive range of motion (PROM) for a resident's shoulder.The resident, who has dementia, grimaces and pulls away but does not verbally complain.What is the candidate's MOST appropriate action?

During the skills evaluation, the CNA candidate is asked to perform passive range of motion (PROM) for a resident's shoulder.
The resident, who has dementia, grimaces and pulls away but does not verbally complain.
What is the candidate's MOST appropriate action?