Basic Nursing Skills
How to Use These Free CNA Practice Tests
- Test 1 (Easy): Start here to check your baseline. This test covers standard definitions, basic vocabulary, and core concepts of Basic Nursing Skills — like what a radial pulse is and the normal color of urine.
- Test 2 (Difficult): Treat this like the real thing. It mirrors the pacing, difficulty, and pressure of the actual CNA written exam for this subject.
What Is Covered?
The "Basic Nursing Skills" category makes up a significant portion of your test. You will be tested on your ability to understand and execute safe, effective care in these core areas:
Vital Signs: Accurately measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respirations — including correct technique, normal ranges, and when to report abnormal findings.
Measurement & Intake/Output: Weighing residents, measuring fluid intake and urinary output in mL, and recording food consumption by percentage.
Infection Control & Personal Care: Proper hand hygiene before all procedures, wearing gloves during oral and personal care, and maintaining skin and foot health.
Observation & Reporting: Recognizing non-verbal signs of pain, identifying early pressure sore warnings, and reporting changes in condition to the nurse immediately.
Strategies for Basic Nursing Skills Questions
When you sit down for the actual exam, keep these golden rules in mind:
The "Report It" Rule: When you observe any abnormal finding — a high pulse, a fever, a red spot on the heel — the correct CNA action is almost always to report it to the nurse, not treat it yourself.
Stay in Your Lane: Eliminate any answer that involves diagnosing, treating, or making a clinical decision. Your role is to observe, measure accurately, and escalate.
Read the Last Sentence First: In scenario questions, read the final sentence first so you know exactly what action is being asked about before reading the entire setup — this prevents misdirection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions about Basic Nursing Skills are on the exam?
While it varies slightly by state, the Basic Nursing Skills domain is one of the largest on the CNA written exam, typically accounting for roughly 16–22 questions out of 60–70 total.
What is the most difficult part of the Basic Nursing Skills section?
Many candidates find measurement questions — particularly fluid intake/output and vital signs interpretation — challenging because they require both memorized normal ranges and situational judgment.
Are there specific terms I must memorize for Basic Nursing Skills?
Yes. Make sure you are deeply familiar with: radial pulse, tachycardia (resting pulse above 100), respirations (one full inhale + exhale cycle), graduated cylinder/hat for output measurement, and standard intake units of ounces/mL.