CNA Practice Test California 2026 (Easy)

Question 1 of 25

You are going to wash your hands. What is the most important thing to do to stop germs from spreading?

Friction from rubbing for at least 20 seconds physically removes the germs. Hot water can burn skin, 5 seconds is too short, and clothes have germs.

Question 2 of 25

A patient is choking and grabbing their throat. They cannot speak or cough. What should you do first?

Asking confirms they are choking so you can act or get help fast. Giving water or leaving can cause death, and back slaps alone aren't the first step for a conscious adult without proper procedure.

Question 3 of 25

You are helping a patient move from the bed to a wheelchair. What should you do to keep them safe?

Locked wheels stop the chair from sliding and causing a fall. Socks are slippery, pulling arms can hurt joints, and the bed should be low.

Question 4 of 25

A resident is lying in bed and cannot move on their own. How often should you help them change positions to prevent bedsores?

Moving every 2 hours keeps pressure off bony parts to stop sores. Waiting 4 hours or once a shift is too long and causes skin damage.

Question 5 of 25

You find a fire in a resident's trash can. What is the very first thing you must do?

Following RACE (Remove, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish), moving the patient out of danger is always first. Fighting it first or running away puts the patient at risk.

Question 6 of 25

A resident has a weak right arm from a stroke. How should you help them put on their shirt?

Dressing the weak side first prevents pulling and stretching the bad arm. Dressing the strong side first makes it too hard to get the weak arm in later.

Question 7 of 25

You are feeding a patient who has trouble swallowing (dysphagia). What is the best way to keep them safe?

Sitting straight up prevents food from going into the lungs (choking). Lying flat, huge bites, or too much water makes choking very likely.

Question 8 of 25

Which of these is a rule of HIPAA (patient privacy)?

HIPAA says you only share info with the direct care team. Sharing with your family, the public, or on social media breaks federal privacy laws.

Question 9 of 25

When cleaning a female resident's private area (perineal care), how should you wipe?

Wiping front to back keeps germs from the bottom away from the urinary tract. Wiping back to front causes bad infections.

Question 10 of 25

You are lifting a heavy box of supplies. How should you lift it to protect your back?

Bending knees and keeping a straight back uses strong leg muscles. Bending your back or jerking causes serious spine injuries.

Question 11 of 25

A resident with Alzheimer's disease is confused and says they need to go to work. What should you say?

Asking them about their work is validation therapy and keeps them calm. Telling them they are confused or wrong makes them angry and scared.

Question 12 of 25

You see a coworker yelling at a resident and grabbing their arm roughly. What must you do?

You must report any sign of abuse to the nurse immediately by law. Keeping it a secret or waiting makes you guilty of letting abuse happen.

Question 13 of 25

A resident's urinary catheter bag is full. Where should the bag be kept?

The bag goes on the moving part of the bed frame below the bladder so urine doesn't flow backward. Putting it on the floor risks infection.

Question 14 of 25

What is the normal pulse rate for an adult?

A normal adult resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats. Anything higher or lower is abnormal and must be reported.

Question 15 of 25

A resident has poor vision. How can you help them eat their meal?

Using a clock face helps them eat on their own with dignity. Mixing food looks bad, and feeding them takes away their independence.

Question 16 of 25

You are taking a resident's blood pressure. When should you tell the nurse right away?

180/100 is very high (hypertension) and is a medical warning sign. The other numbers are within a normal, safe range.

Question 17 of 25

A resident refuses to take a bath. What is the best thing to do?

Residents have the legal right to say no to care. Forcing them or threatening them is a form of abuse.

Question 18 of 25

You are cleaning a resident's dentures. What kind of water should you use?

Cool or warm water cleans safely. Hot or boiling water will melt or warp the plastic shape of the dentures.

Question 19 of 25

A resident is on Standard Precautions. When should you wear gloves?

Gloves are worn when touching wet body fluids to stop germs. You do not need gloves for clean tasks like bringing food or just entering.

Question 20 of 25

A resident is deaf and uses hearing aids. Before speaking to them, you should:

Facing them lets them read your lips and see your face. Shouting distorts the sound in hearing aids and hurts their ears.

Question 21 of 25

You are giving a bed bath. How can you protect the resident's dignity and keep them warm?

Covering them keeps them warm and hides private parts to respect them. Leaving them naked or opening doors takes away their dignity.

Question 22 of 25

A resident with diabetes is acting shaky, sweating, and confused. What might this mean?

Shaking, sweating, and confusion are classic signs of low blood sugar. This is an emergency that needs a nurse's help quickly.

Question 23 of 25

Where is the most common place for a bedsore (pressure ulcer) to form?

Bones pushing against the bed cut off blood flow, causing sores. The stomach and cheeks do not have the same heavy pressure.

Question 24 of 25

A resident is at the end of their life and is dying. What is the most important part of your care?

End-of-life care focuses entirely on peace and comfort. Forcing food or exercise causes unneeded stress and pain.

Question 25 of 25

When measuring a resident's breathing (res respirations), you should:

If people know you are watching their breathing, they usually change how they breathe. Counting while holding their wrist hides what you are doing.

CNA Practice Test California 2026 (Easy)

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