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

The CNA exam emphasizes patient safety and advocacy. A grimace and pulling away are clear non-verbal indicators of pain or discomfort. The critical step is to stop the action causing potential harm and report it. Continuing the exercise could cause injury, and switching joints ignores the initial sign of distress. While asking is good, the resident's cognitive impairment may prevent a reliable verbal response, making the observation the most important piece of information to act on.

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

Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. The CNA exam expects candidates to recognize this term and its practical implications, such as the need to have a resident sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing to prevent dizziness and falls.

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

Test administrators emphasize that critical element steps, such as hand hygiene and other infection control measures, are paramount. Forgetting to wash hands or failing to maintain standard precautions is often an automatic failure for the entire skills portion, as it demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of safety principles.

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

The CNA exam heavily tests the candidate's understanding of their role as a mandated reporter and the importance of the chain of command. The obligation is to protect the resident. The correct procedure is to report the incident to the immediate supervisor (the charge nurse) who is responsible for escalating the issue. This ensures a proper investigation is conducted while following facility protocol. Confronting the nurse or waiting could endanger the resident and violate the CNA's legal and ethical duties.

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

The CNA skills checklist specifies that dentures must be rinsed and brushed in moderate or lukewarm temperature water. Using hot water can warp or damage the dentures. This is a specific detail that evaluators look for. Brushing dentures should be done over a sink lined with a towel or filled with water to prevent breakage if dropped. Clean dentures should be stored in a cup with cool water or a solution, not left dry.

CNA Practice Test

CNA Practice Test

CNA Exam Structure and Content 2