STNA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield STNA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. All of the following, with the exception of the following, can help your patients get more sleep: → Change the patient's everyday routine.
2. A patient begins to fall while ambulating. The nurse aide should: → Ease the patient to the floor in a controlled manner while protecting their head
3. Which patient placement measure is used for airborne precautions? → A private room with negative air pressure
4. Which site is most commonly used for measuring an adult's temperature orally? → Sublingual (under the tongue)
5. What is a contracture? → A permanent shortening of muscle or connective tissue causing restricted joint movement
6. Which observation should the nurse aide report immediately while giving a patient a bath? → A new reddened area over a bony prominence
7. Which action demonstrates respect for a patient's cultural beliefs? → Modifying the care approach when possible to align with the patient's cultural practices
8. Which of the following statements is NOT a condition brought on by aging and one to which all inhabitants must get used? → Inability to pick up new skills
9. When trimming or filing a diabetic patient's nails, the nurse aide should: → File straight across and report any abnormalities to the nurse
10. Which change in a patient's condition should the nurse aide report immediately? → A patient develops sudden confusion and slurred speech
11. Which action by a nurse aide constitutes a violation of patient confidentiality (HIPAA)? → Sharing a patient's diagnosis with a friend outside of work
12. A resident requests to leave the facility for an outing without staff supervision. The nurse aide should: → Inform the charge nurse and document the resident's request
13. The nurse aide notices a resident is coughing and sneezing repeatedly. To practice respiratory hygiene, the nurse aide should encourage the resident to: → Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
14. What is the correct order for donning PPE before entering an isolation room? → Mask/respirator, goggles, gown, gloves
15. How should the nurse aide handle dentures during oral care? → Place a towel or basin of water in the sink before handling dentures
16. How many ounces are in one cup when measuring fluid intake? → 8 ounces
17. Which behavior by a nurse aide is an example of patient abuse? → Threatening a patient with restricted meals if they don't cooperate with care
18. A nurse aide enters the room of a patient on contact precautions. Which PPE must be worn before touching the patient? → Gown and gloves
19. Which practice violates standard precautions? → Recapping a used needle by hand
20. A resident has a pressure injury (bed sore). Which dietary factor is most important for promoting wound healing? → Adequate protein and calorie intake
21. When should gloves be changed during patient care? → Between tasks when moving from a contaminated to a clean body site on the same patient
22. When assisting a patient with dressing, the nurse aide should put clothing on the weak or affected side: → First, because it is easier to maneuver the weaker limb through clothing first
23. Which of the following does not indicate that a patient with hypoglycemia is experiencing excessive blood sugar levels? → A sluggish mood
24. The nurse aide notices the patient's skin is red and broken over the coccyx during morning care. The best action is: → Report the finding to the supervising nurse immediately
25. When a patient is placed in the Fowler's position, the head of the bed is elevated to: → 45–60 degrees
26. Which of the following patients would most benefit from reading materials with large print? → A patient who is visually impaired
27. Which situation requires the nurse aide to remove and change PPE immediately? → The glove develops a visible tear during care
28. Which of the following claims about caring for a male patient with an indwelling catheter is FALSE? → After cleansing, keep the perineal area moist.
29. Which of the following strategies for getting a job would NOT be effective for a nursing assistant? → An isolated approach
30. Which of the following is TRUE regarding a patient requesting that you pray with them? → It is permissible to pray with patients, but it is not required.