Free CNA Study Guide Cheat Sheet

The CNA written exam tests 60–70 questions across 5 domains. The clinical skills test demands 100% accuracy on 3–5 randomly selected skills. Having the essential facts at your fingertips — normal vital ranges, common abbreviations, and critical steps — gives you an edge in both parts of the exam.

This cheat sheet is free, open-access, and requires no email gatekeeping. Share it, print it, distribute it.

Normal Vital Sign Ranges (Memorize These)

Test Tip: If a question gives a vital sign outside normal range, your answer should involve “report to nurse immediately.”

Key Medical Abbreviations

Test Tip: Know ADL vs. IADL (Instrumental ADLs = shopping, cooking, managing meds).

Resident Rights (Federal + State)

Every CNA exam tests resident rights. Know these 8 core rights:

1. Right to be treated with dignity and respect — knock before entering, call by name
2. Right to privacy — curtain/screen during personal care, confidential records
3. Right to participate in care decisions — client can refuse treatment
4. Right to voice grievances — no retaliation for complaints
5. Right to personal possessions — safe storage of valuables
6. Right to visitation — family and friends can visit during set hours
7. Right to confidentiality (HIPAA) — never discuss client in hallways
8. Right to be free from abuse and neglect — mandatory reporter status for CNAs

Test Tip: Any answer choice that violates dignity, privacy, or choice is ALWAYS wrong.

The 22 Testable Clinical Skills (Quick Checklist)

Common Procedures — Step Order

Hand Washing (Do this before/after EVERY skill)

1. Turn on water.
2.  Wet hands/wrists
3. Apply soap
4. 4. Lather 20 sec, fingertips down
5. Clean nails
6. Rinse fingertips down
7. Dry fingertips first
8. Paper towel to turn off faucet
9. Dispose towel

Safe Patient Transfer (Bed to Chair)

1. Explain + privacy
2. Non-skid shoes
3. Bed at safe level, lock wheels
4. Assist to sitting, feet flat.
5. Apply transfer belt
6. Prearranged signal
7. Stand (count 1-2-3)
8. Pivot to chair
9.  Lower gently
10. Remove belt, signaling device, bed low

Perineal Care (Female)

1. Explain + privacy
2. Wear gloves
3. Wash labia front-to-back
4. Rinse front-to-back
5. Pat dry (don't rub)
6. Remove gloves, wash hands
7. Document

Emergency Procedures (Know These Cold)

Common CNA Exam "Trap" Questions

Study Schedule (4-Week Summary)

(Full 4-week plan available in our "2026 CNA Study Guide: 4-Week Pass-First-Try Plan" article)

Key Takeaways

• Memorize normal vital ranges — anything outside = "report to nurse immediately"
• Hand hygiene before/after every skill — missing it = automatic fail
• Resident rights — dignity, privacy, choice. Any answer violating these is wrong.
• PPE order matters: Gown → Mask → Gloves (donning). Gloves → Gown → Mask (removing).
• Fire safety: R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish)
• Common trap: When in doubt, "report to nurse" is usually the right answer.

Conclusion

This cheat sheet covers the facts you'll be tested on repeatedly. Print it, fold it, and review it during study breaks, on the bus, or while waiting for class to start. It's free, open-access, and designed to be shared — unlike gatekept "lead magnet" PDFs, this one is here to help you pass.

Combine this cheat sheet with our full study guides for written exam content and clinical skills, and you'll walk into test day ready to pass on your first try.