What type of questions are on the CNA test?
The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test is divided into two main parts: a written (or oral) examination and a clinical skills test. Here's a closer look at the type of questions you can expect on each part:
Written (or Oral) Examination
The written part of the CNA exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions. These questions cover a broad range of topics necessary for effective patient care. Common subjects include:
Basic Nursing Skills: Questions on vital signs, bed making, and general patient care.
Infection Control: How to prevent and control infection, including proper handwashing techniques and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Personal Care Skills: Knowledge about assisting patients with eating, bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Mental Health Care: Understanding the basics of mental health disorders, how to communicate effectively with patients suffering from these conditions, and providing emotional support.
Care of Cognitively Impaired Patients: Techniques for dealing with patients suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.
Basic Restorative Services: Questions on mobility aids, proper positioning of patients, and exercises to promote patient mobility and independence.
Patient Rights: Understanding patient rights and privacy, including the ethical and legal aspects of patient care.
Communication: Effective communication skills with patients, families, and other healthcare team members.
Clinical Skills Test
For the clinical skills portion, you will be asked to perform a series of tasks that a CNA is expected to carry out as part of their daily duties. You will be evaluated on your ability to perform these skills safely and effectively. You may be asked to demonstrate:
Basic Patient Care Skills: Such as making a bed (with and without a patient in it), assisting a patient with a bedpan, bathing a patient, dressing a patient, and feeding a patient.
Recording Vital Signs: Measuring and recording blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and temperature.
Mobility Assistance: Including transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, assisting with walking, and positioning or turning a patient in bed.
Each skill will have a checklist that the evaluator uses to ensure each step is completed correctly. Missing critical steps or performing them incorrectly can lead to failing the skills portion of the exam.
Study and Preparation
Given the range of topics and practical skills covered on the CNA exam, thorough preparation using study guides, practice tests, and practical skill rehearsals is crucial. Most training programs provide materials and guidance on preparing for both the written and skills portions of the exam.
