CNA Practice Test 5 (2026) – 20 Free Certified Nursing Assistant Exam Questions with Answers
CNA Practice Test 5
Consistent practice is one of the best ways to prepare for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification exam. The CNA written examination tests your understanding of infection prevention, resident rights, communication, personal care, safety, nutrition, mobility, and observation skills.
This CNA Practice Test 5 includes 20 original multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. The questions are designed to strengthen your clinical knowledge and prepare you for real-life patient care situations.
Exam Tip: Read every question carefully. Look for keywords such as FIRST, BEST, MOST APPROPRIATE, and IMMEDIATELY, as these often determine the correct answer.
Question 1
Before measuring a resident’s blood pressure, the CNA should:
A. Ensure the resident has been sitting quietly for a few minutes when appropriate
B. Measure over thick clothing
C. Use any cuff size available
D. Ask the resident to talk continuously
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Allowing the resident to rest briefly and using proper technique helps obtain a more accurate blood pressure reading.
Question 2
A resident reports feeling extremely thirsty and has dry lips. The CNA should:
A. Ignore the complaint
B. Report the finding to the nurse and follow the care plan
C. Tell the resident to wait until the next meal
D. Document only at the end of the shift
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Excessive thirst and dry lips may indicate dehydration or another medical condition that should be reported.
Question 3
The primary purpose of wearing gloves is to:
A. Keep hands warm
B. Reduce the risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, and contaminants
C. Replace hand washing
D. Protect clothing only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Gloves are personal protective equipment that reduce the risk of contamination but do not replace proper hand hygiene.
Question 4
A resident asks the CNA about another resident’s medical condition. The CNA should:
A. Share the information
B. Politely explain that resident information is confidential
C. Ask another staff member to answer
D. Tell the visitor instead
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Protecting resident confidentiality is an important professional responsibility.
Question 5
Which action helps prevent falls?
A. Leaving personal belongings out of reach
B. Keeping frequently used items within easy reach
C. Turning off hallway lights
D. Encouraging residents to hurry
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Keeping essential items within reach reduces unnecessary movement and fall risk.
Question 6
A resident suddenly becomes confused and unusually sleepy. The CNA should:
A. Allow the resident to sleep
B. Report the change immediately to the nurse
C. Wait until the next shift
D. Ignore the change
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sudden changes in mental status require prompt reporting because they may indicate a serious medical condition.
Question 7
When assisting a resident to stand, the CNA should:
A. Twist while lifting
B. Use proper body mechanics and bend at the knees
C. Lift with the back only
D. Pull on the resident’s arms
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Proper body mechanics help protect both the resident and the caregiver from injury.
Question 8
The CNA notices redness developing over a resident’s tailbone. What should be done?
A. Massage the area firmly
B. Report the finding and follow the care plan
C. Ignore the redness
D. Cover it with a blanket
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Early skin changes should be reported promptly to help prevent pressure injuries.
Question 9
A resident who uses dentures should:
A. Have dentures cleaned carefully according to facility policy
B. Sleep with dentures in at all times
C. Never remove dentures
D. Clean dentures using hot boiling water
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Proper denture care promotes oral health and resident comfort.
Question 10
Which resident should be seen first?
A. A resident requesting an extra blanket
B. A resident with sudden difficulty breathing
C. A resident reading a newspaper
D. A resident watching television
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Difficulty breathing is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
Question 11
What should the CNA do before serving a meal?
A. Verify the correct meal according to the resident’s diet order and facility procedures
B. Serve any available meal
C. Ignore dietary restrictions
D. Ask another resident
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Residents should receive meals consistent with their prescribed diet.
Question 12
A resident begins crying during personal care. The CNA should:
A. Continue without speaking
B. Pause, listen respectfully, and provide support within the CNA role
C. Leave immediately
D. Tell the resident to stop crying
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Compassionate communication promotes trust and emotional well-being.
Question 13
The best way to prevent the spread of microorganisms between residents is:
A. Wash hands before and after resident contact
B. Wear one pair of gloves all day
C. Share equipment without cleaning
D. Avoid wearing PPE
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Proper hand hygiene remains the foundation of infection prevention.
Question 14
Which observation should be reported?
A. New swelling of the ankle
B. Resident smiling
C. Resident watching television
D. Resident reading a magazine
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: New swelling may indicate injury or another health problem requiring assessment.
Question 15
When making an occupied bed, the CNA should:
A. Ensure the resident’s safety and comfort throughout the procedure
B. Remove all linens at once
C. Leave the resident uncovered
D. Raise the bed to its highest position after completion
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Resident safety, dignity, and comfort should always be maintained.
Question 16
A resident refuses lunch for the second time today. The CNA should:
A. Force the resident to eat
B. Report the refusal to the nurse
C. Throw away the tray without documenting
D. Ignore the situation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Repeated refusal of food may indicate illness or other concerns and should be reported.
Question 17
Which nutrient is especially important for wound healing?
A. Protein
B. Sugar
C. Carbonated drinks
D. Candy
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Protein supports tissue repair and recovery.
Question 18
The call bell should always be:
A. Left on the bedside table out of reach
B. Within the resident’s reach before leaving the room
C. Turned off during the night
D. Given only when requested
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Residents should always be able to call for assistance when needed.
Question 19
A resident says, “I think I’m going to fall.” The CNA should:
A. Tell the resident to keep walking
B. Assist the resident safely to a chair or bed and call for help if needed
C. Leave the room
D. Ignore the statement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Immediate assistance helps prevent falls and injury.
Question 20
Which behavior demonstrates professionalism?
A. Arriving on time and treating every resident with respect
B. Discussing residents on social media
C. Ignoring facility policies
D. Arguing with residents
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Professionalism includes punctuality, respect, confidentiality, and following facility policies.
Key Topics Covered
- Infection Prevention
- Resident Rights
- Personal Care
- Nutrition
- Mobility and Transfers
- Communication Skills
- Documentation
- Pressure Injury Prevention
- Professional Ethics
- Resident Safety
Study Tips
- Complete one practice test every day.
- Focus on understanding the explanations.
- Learn proper infection control techniques.
- Practice safe transfer and mobility principles.
- Review resident rights and confidentiality before the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these questions suitable for first-time CNA candidates?
Yes. They are designed to help beginners and repeat candidates review core CNA concepts.
Do these practice tests guarantee success?
Practice tests improve knowledge and confidence, but they should be combined with studying your course materials and practicing clinical skills.
What topics appear most often on the CNA exam?
Common topics include infection control, communication, personal care, safety, nutrition, resident rights, documentation, and observation/reporting.
Continue Your CNA Preparation
- CNA Practice Test 6
- CNA Mock Test 2
- CNA Infection Control MCQs
- CNA Resident Rights Practice Questions
- CNA Communication Skills Quiz
- CNA Personal Care MCQs
- CNA Safety and Emergency Questions