CNA Practice Test Florida 2026 (Difficult)

Question 1 of 60

A resident refuses to let you wash them, but their daughter tells you, "They need a bath. Just do it quickly while I hold their hands." What is the first thing you should do?

Residents have the absolute right to refuse care. The distractor (A - ask the daughter to leave) might seem helpful, but if the resident has already refused, attempting to negotiate or force care under pressure is unsafe. You must step away and report the refusal and the family's aggressive behavior to the nurse immediately.

Question 2 of 60

You find a coworker in the supply room putting a box of the facility's latex gloves into their backpack. What is your best action?

Taking facility supplies is theft. The distractor (B - tell them to put it back) makes you complicit if they do it again. You must report unethical or illegal behavior directly to a supervisor.

Question 3 of 60

The nurse is very busy and asks you to turn off the alarm on a resident's IV pump. They say, "Just hit the red silence button, I will be right there." What must you do?

Interacting with IV pumps, even just to silence an alarm, is strictly outside the CNA scope of practice in Florida. The distractor (C - wait in the room) is tempting to help the nurse, but touching the pump can result in losing your certification.

Question 4 of 60

A resident who is alert and knows where they are says they are leaving the nursing home right now to walk home. What is the first thing you should do?

An alert, competent resident has the legal right to leave (elopement/AMA). The distractor (B - block the door) is false imprisonment/unlawful restraint. You must inform them of their rights while immediately getting the nurse to handle the AMA process.

Question 5 of 60

You notice a resident has a dark purple bruise on their chest and a yellow bruise on their arm. They tell you they bumped into a door. What is the best action?

Bruises in different stages of healing (different colors) on unusual areas (chest/inner arms) are classic signs of abuse. The distractor (D - ask who hit them) is investigating, which is not your job. You must report suspicions to the nurse immediately as a mandated reporter.

Question 6 of 60

A resident offers you a $20 bill to thank you for taking such good care of them. What is the best response?

CNAs cannot accept money or valuable gifts from residents or families, as it blurs professional boundaries. The distractor (A - charity box) is wrong because you still accepted the money from a vulnerable person. Politely refusing maintains the boundary.

Question 7 of 60

A resident is crying and says, "I want to die. I have saved up all my sleeping pills in a cup." What is your first priority?

Any mention of suicide with a plan (saving pills) is a medical emergency. The distractor (C - run to get help) is incredibly dangerous because leaving a suicidal resident alone with their pills allows them to take them. You must remove the danger, stay with them, and call for help.

Question 8 of 60

You are helping a resident who only speaks Spanish. You do not speak Spanish. They look like they are in pain. What should you do first?

You must find a way to communicate immediately to assess their needs. The distractor (B - wait for a Spanish speaker) is neglectful and leaves the patient suffering. Picture boards bridge the communication gap until a translator arrives.

Question 9 of 60

Another CNA asks you why Mr. Smith in Room 12 is crying today. You know his wife just died, but the other CNA is not assigned to him. What should you say?

HIPAA laws strictly forbid sharing a resident's medical or personal information with anyone who is not directly involved in their care. The distractor (A - explain so they are nice) violates privacy laws, even if the intentions are good.

Question 10 of 60

A resident wants to wear a heavy winter coat and a hat, but it is 90 degrees outside and they are staying indoors. What is the best action?

Residents have the right to make their own choices, including what they wear. The distractor (A - telling them they cannot) violates their rights. You must allow their choice while closely monitoring them for safety (overheating).

Question 11 of 60

The nurse tells you to apply a prescription cream to a resident's rash. What should you do?

CNAs are not licensed to administer prescription medications, including topical creams. The distractor (A - wear gloves) focuses on infection control but ignores the legal scope of practice. You must refuse the task.

Question 12 of 60

A resident who is normally very calm starts yelling at you and calling you bad names. What is the best action?

De-escalation requires staying calm, maintaining a safe distance, and not arguing. The distractor (D - refuse care for the day) is abandonment and neglect.

Question 13 of 60

You are taking off your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before leaving an isolation room. What must you take off FIRST?

When doffing PPE, the gloves are considered the most contaminated piece of equipment and must be removed first to prevent contaminating your hands, hair, or face. The distractor (B - gown) might seem logical, but touching the gown with dirty gloves spreads pathogens.

Question 14 of 60

A resident is on Contact Precautions for *C. diff*. You just finished changing their soiled bed sheets. What is the correct way to clean your hands?

*C. diff* is a spore-forming bacterium. Alcohol (A) cannot kill spores. You must use friction with soap and water to physically wash the spores down the drain.

Question 15 of 60

You walk into a room and find a fire in the wastebasket. Using the RACE rule, what is your very first step?

The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. The distractor (A - pull alarm) is wrong because if the fire is in the resident's room, rescuing the resident from immediate danger must happen before pulling the alarm.

Question 16 of 60

A resident who is very overweight is choking on a piece of meat. They are awake but cannot cough. Where should you place your hands to help them?

For pregnant or obese individuals who are choking, you cannot reach around their abdomen effectively or safely. You must perform chest thrusts on the sternum. The distractor (A - abdominal thrusts) is standard for normal adults but dangerous/impossible here.

Question 17 of 60

You are walking a resident using a gait belt. Suddenly, their knees buckle and they start to fall. What is the safest action?

You cannot physically stop a falling body without injuring yourself or the resident (distractor A). Proper body mechanics dictate widening your base, pulling them close, and sliding them safely down your leg to minimize impact.

Question 18 of 60

A resident is having a seizure in their bed. Their arms are hitting the bed rails. What is your first action?

The primary goal during a seizure is to prevent physical injury. Padding the area protects them. The distractors (A - holding them down) and (B - tongue blade) are extremely dangerous and can cause broken bones or airway blockages.

Question 19 of 60

You find a resident sitting on the floor next to their bed. They say they feel fine and want to get back into bed. What must you do first?

If a resident falls, they cannot be moved until a nurse assesses them for unseen injuries (like a hip fracture). The distractor (A - help them up) is a critical safety failure that could worsen an injury.

Question 20 of 60

A resident has a feeding tube (PEG tube) in their stomach. The nurse has paused the feeding so you can change the resident's brief. How should you position the bed?

Residents with continuous tube feedings must have the head of their bed elevated at least 30 degrees to prevent aspiration (formula backing up into the lungs). The distractor (A - laying them flat) is a severe aspiration risk.

Question 21 of 60

You see a clear liquid spilled on the floor in the hallway. You do not know what it is. What should you do first?

You must never touch or clean an unknown chemical/liquid due to hazardous exposure risks. The distractor (A - wipe it up) is dangerous. You must secure the area and get authorized personnel.

Question 22 of 60

You are making an empty bed and notice a used needle hidden in the sheets. What is the safest action?

Needles must be handled with gloves and immediately placed in a puncture-proof sharps container. The distractor (C - wrap in dirty sheets) is highly dangerous and could cause a laundry worker to suffer a needle-stick injury.

Question 23 of 60

A resident's oxygen tube falls out of their nose. You put it back in, but you notice the flow meter is set to 5 liters instead of the 2 liters the doctor ordered. What should you do?

Oxygen is a prescription medication. CNAs cannot adjust the flow rate (distractor A). You must place the cannula back on the resident for safety and immediately inform the nurse that the rate is incorrect.

Question 24 of 60

When must a CNA wash their hands with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer is acceptable for routine care, but if hands are visibly soiled with blood, dirt, or body fluids, soap and water must be used. The distractor (A - before feeding) can be done with sanitizer if hands are clean.

Question 25 of 60

A resident has a weak right side from a stroke. Where should you place their call light?

The call light must be placed on the resident's unaffected (strong) side so they can physically use it. The distractor (A - right side) leaves them helpless in an emergency.

Question 26 of 60

You are transferring a resident from the bed to a wheelchair. The resident has a weak left leg. Which side should you move the wheelchair to?

Always transfer a resident toward their strong side. Placing the wheelchair on the strong right side allows them to pivot and bear weight safely. The distractor (B - weak side) will cause their leg to buckle and result in a fall.

Question 27 of 60

You are doing passive range of motion (ROM) exercises on a resident's arm. They groan and say it hurts when you bend their elbow. What should you do?

Passive ROM should only go to the point of mild resistance, never pain. The distractor (B - push past pain) will cause muscle tearing or joint damage. Stop and report it.

Question 28 of 60

A resident is blind. You are setting up their lunch tray. How should you help them eat independently?

Using the clock face method promotes independence and dignity. The distractor (A - feed them) takes away their autonomy, and (B - mix it together) destroys the dignity and taste of the meal.

Question 29 of 60

To prevent skin tears (shearing) when pulling a heavy resident up in bed, what is the best method?

A draw sheet lifts the resident's skin off the mattress, preventing friction and shearing forces that tear fragile elderly skin. The distractor (A - armpits) can dislocate their shoulders.

Question 30 of 60

A resident has a urinary catheter. To prevent them from pulling it out when turning in bed, where should the catheter tube be taped or secured?

Taping the catheter to the inner thigh provides slack and prevents the balloon inside the bladder from painfully pulling against the urethra when the resident moves. The distractor (A - bed rail) will rip the catheter out if the rail is lowered.

Question 31 of 60

A resident takes a very long time to put on their socks. You are in a rush. What is the best action?

Promoting independence is a core CNA responsibility. The distractor (A - do it for them) strips them of their function. You must be patient and allow them to complete ADLs.

Question 32 of 60

A resident has an artificial eye (prosthesis). When cleaning it, what should you use?

Artificial eyes are made of special plastics or glass that can warp or degrade with heat or harsh chemicals. The distractor (C - alcohol wipes) will damage the prosthesis and burn the eye socket.

Question 33 of 60

A resident's hand is tightly curled into a fist because of a contracture. The nurse tells you to place a hand roll in their palm. What does the hand roll do?

A hand roll keeps the fingers slightly open to prevent the fingernails from digging into the palm, which causes severe skin breakdown and infection. The distractor (A - makes hand strong) is false; contractures are permanent.

Question 34 of 60

You are helping a resident walk with a gait belt. They have a colostomy bag on their stomach. Where should you place the gait belt?

A colostomy bag covers a surgical opening in the intestines. Placing pressure on it (distractor A) will cause the bag to burst or damage the stoma. The belt must go above or below the site.

Question 35 of 60

A resident has a strict fluid restriction of 1000 mL per day. They are begging you for a big glass of water. What should you do?

Fluid restrictions are absolute medical orders (often for heart or kidney failure). The distractor (C - give ice chips) is wrong because ice melts into water and counts as fluid intake. You must check the I&O sheet before offering anything.

Question 36 of 60

A resident is lying on their back. What bony area is at the highest risk for getting a bedsore (pressure ulcer)?

When supine, the sacrum (tailbone) bears the heaviest amount of body weight against the mattress, making it the most common site for pressure ulcers. The distractor (A - knees) is a risk when prone (stomach), not supine.

Question 37 of 60

You need to give a resident an enema. What is the best position to put them in?

The left Sims' position utilizes gravity and the natural anatomical curve of the descending colon to allow the enema fluid to flow inward easily. The distractor (D - right side) makes the fluid fight gravity.

Question 38 of 60

You are taking an adult resident's resting pulse. It is 115 beats per minute. What should you do?

The normal adult resting pulse is 60-100 bpm. Tachycardia (115 bpm) is abnormal and must be reported immediately. The distractor (A - tell the nurse later) delays critical medical assessment.

Question 39 of 60

You check a resident's blood pressure and it is 80/50. The resident says they feel dizzy. What is your first action?

A BP of 80/50 is hypotension, and dizziness indicates a lack of blood flow to the brain, risking a faint/fall. The distractor (A - give water) is dangerous; laying them flat restores blood flow to the brain while you get the nurse.

Question 40 of 60

When giving female perineal care, why is it critical to wipe from front to back?

The female urethra is very close to the anus. Wiping front to back ensures bacteria (like *E. coli*) are wiped away from the urinary tract. Wiping back to front (the distractor) causes severe Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).

Question 41 of 60

A resident ate a 4-ounce cup of gelatin (Jell-O) and drank an 8-ounce cup of tea. How many milliliters (mL) of fluid did they consume? (1 oz = 30 mL)

Jell-O melts at body temperature and counts as a fluid. 4 oz + 8 oz = 12 ounces. Multiply 12 by 30 mL to get 360 mL. The distractor (B - 240 mL) incorrectly assumes Jell-O is solid food.

Question 42 of 60

You are providing mouth care to an unconscious resident. How must you position their head to prevent them from choking?

An unconscious resident lacks a swallow reflex. Turning their head to the side allows fluids to drain onto a towel. The distractor (A - straight back) will cause fluids to pool in the throat and aspirate into the lungs.

Question 43 of 60

You are feeding a resident who has dysphagia (trouble swallowing). You notice they are pocketing food in their cheek. What should you do?

Pocketing food is a major choking hazard in dysphagia patients. You must stop feeding and cue them to swallow or cough. The distractor (D - use your finger) is dangerous because you could push the food deeper into the airway or get bitten.

Question 44 of 60

A male resident is uncircumcised. When cleaning his penis, what must you do?

You must retract the foreskin to clean the smegma beneath it to prevent infection, but you *must* return the foreskin to its normal position. The distractor (B - leave it pulled back) acts like a tourniquet and will cut off blood supply to the penis.

Question 45 of 60

A diabetic resident needs their toenails trimmed. What is the strict rule for CNAs?

Diabetics have neuropathy (numbness) and poor healing. A small cut from nail clippers can lead to gangrene and amputation. CNAs are strictly forbidden from cutting diabetic toenails. The distractor (B - file nails) is also risky; only licensed staff handle diabetic feet.

Question 46 of 60

You are emptying a colostomy bag. You look at the stoma (the piece of bowel on the outside of the stomach). Which color means you must get the nurse immediately?

A healthy stoma is beefy red or pink (blood flow). A pale, blue, or black stoma indicates tissue death (ischemia/necrosis) and is a massive surgical emergency. The distractors (A and B) represent normal, healthy stomas.

Question 47 of 60

When giving a bed bath, what part of the body should you wash first?

You must always wash from the cleanest area to the dirtiest. The face and eyes are the cleanest and are washed first with water only. The distractor (D - perineal) is the dirtiest and is washed last.

Question 48 of 60

The nurse asks you to collect a "clean-catch" midstream urine specimen. How do you do this?

"Clean-catch midstream" means cleaning the meatus to remove surface bacteria, peeing a little to flush the urethra, and catching the middle urine. The distractor (A - first drops) is a routine sample, not a clean-catch.

Question 49 of 60

When putting anti-embolism (TED) stockings on a resident, what is the most important thing to check?

Wrinkles in TED hose act like tourniquets, cutting off circulation and causing skin breakdown. The toes must be checked through the hole to ensure good blood flow. The distractor (A - leave wrinkles) causes severe injury.

Question 50 of 60

You notice a resident is breathing very deep and fast, then breathing very shallow, and then stopping breathing for 10 seconds before starting again. What is this called?

Cheyne-Stokes is an irregular breathing pattern consisting of deep/rapid breaths followed by apnea (no breathing). It is an objective sign of approaching death. The distractor (B - asthma) is usually wheezing.

Question 51 of 60

You are weighing a resident who has a Foley catheter bag. What should you do with the bag while weighing them?

A full bag adds false weight. It must be emptied and recorded first, but the bag itself must *never* be raised above the bladder to prevent dirty urine from flowing backward (infection risk). The distractor (B - resident holds it) throws off the scale balance.

Question 52 of 60

A resident's blood pressure is normally 120/80. Today you check it and it is 160/100. They say they feel fine. What should you do?

A sudden jump from 120/80 to 160/100 is abnormal and requires nursing assessment, even if the resident is asymptomatic. The distractor (D - give medicine) is outside your scope of practice.

Question 53 of 60

You are trying to give a resident with severe dementia a bath. They become terrified, start screaming, and try to hit you. What is your best action?

A catastrophic reaction means the resident is overwhelmed. Forcing the task (distractor A) escalates the aggression and is considered abuse. You must stop, de-escalate the environment, and try later.

Question 54 of 60

A resident with Alzheimer's disease keeps wandering into other residents' rooms. What is the safest way to handle this?

Redirection is the safest and most dignified way to manage wandering. The distractor (A - lock the door) is unlawful restraint and a fire hazard.

Question 55 of 60

A resident with dementia is terrified because they see "bugs crawling all over the walls." There are no bugs. What is your best response?

You should not argue with a hallucination, nor should you validate a terrifying one. The best approach is to acknowledge their fear and move them to a safe space. The distractor (C - squashing them) validates the terrifying delusion.

Question 56 of 60

A resident with dementia has been rummaging through drawers and hoarding packets of sugar in their pillowcase. What is the best action?

Rummaging is normal in dementia. As long as it is not dangerous, you allow it to protect their autonomy, while subtly checking for safety hazards (like rotting food). The distractor (C - taking it away) will trigger severe agitation.

Question 57 of 60

You are caring for a resident who is actively dying. You notice their hands and feet are turning cold and have blotchy, purple-blue spots. What is this called?

Mottling (blotchy, purple skin on extremities) occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively to the hands and feet. It is a key sign that death is very near. Cyanosis (distractor A) is blue coloring specifically due to low oxygen, usually in the lips.

Question 58 of 60

A resident is passing away. Their family is in the room, crying loudly and arguing about the resident's will. The resident looks distressed. What is your best action?

The dying resident has the right to a peaceful death. While you cannot yell at the family (distractor A), you must advocate for the resident by getting the charge nurse or social worker to manage the family outside the room.

Question 59 of 60

A resident had a stroke and has expressive aphasia. They know what they want to say, but the wrong words come out. They are getting frustrated. What should you do?

Expressive aphasia affects the ability to speak, not intelligence or hearing. Yes/no questions and picture boards allow them to communicate easily. The distractor (B - finishing sentences) is highly frustrating and disrespectful to the resident.

Question 60 of 60

A resident who is on hospice (end-of-life care) cannot speak. How can you tell if they are in severe pain?

Non-verbal indicators of severe pain include grimacing, guarding, moaning, and rapid breathing (tachypnea). The distractor (B - sleeping) does not always mean they are pain-free, but grimacing is an absolute indicator requiring nursing intervention.

CNA Practice Test Florida 2026 (Difficult)

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