CNA practice test (nurse aide knowledge exam practice): cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Method

  1. Check whether the resident is in danger right now (not breathing, choking, a fall, chest pain, stroke signs); if so, keep them safe and get the nurse at once.
  2. Ask whether the task is within the nursing assistant’s scope and training; if not, decline politely and tell the nurse.
  3. Respect the resident’s rights: privacy, choice, refusal of care, dignity and freedom from abuse and unneeded restraints.
  4. Apply the basic rules: hand hygiene, body mechanics, bed low and call light within reach, weak side first when dressing.
  5. Observe and report: compare with the resident’s usual state and report changes promptly and objectively.

Nursing math & unit conversions

Metric steps
1 kg = 1000 g, 1 g = 1000 mg, 1 mg = 1000 mcg, 1 L = 1000 mL
Weight and length
1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 lb = 16 oz, 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 ft = 12 in
Household measures
1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
Temperature
°C = (°F − 32)·5/9, °F = °C·9/5 + 32
24-hour clock
PM hours 1–11: add 12; 12 AM = 00:xx; 12 PM = 12:xx
Dose rate
mcg/min × 60/1000 = mg/h
Laboratory factors
glucose 1 mmol/L = 18 mg/dL; creatinine 1 mg/dL = 88.4 µmol/L; Hb 1 g/dL = 10 g/L

Method

  1. Write the given quantity with its unit and the unit you want.
  2. Pick the equivalent: 1000 between kg, g, mg and mcg or L and mL; 1 kg = 2.2 lb; 1 tsp = 5 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 cup = 240 mL.
  3. Write it as a fraction so that the unwanted unit cancels; for a rate, use one fraction per unit that changes.
  4. Check the direction: a smaller unit gives a bigger number.
  5. Round only the final answer, to the precision the question names.

2Practice problems

1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeMedium

A nursing assistant notices that a task on the care plan no longer seems to fit a resident's needs. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. AKeep following the plan and say nothing
  2. BReport what they see to the nurse, who can review the plan
  3. CChange the written care plan so that it matches the resident's needs
  4. DStop doing the task without telling anyone
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard

Another nursing assistant says, "I didn't get to take vital signs in Room 12; just write down normal numbers for them." What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. ACopy the numbers from the previous shift
  2. BWrite the numbers but mark them with a question mark
  3. CWrite normal numbers, because the resident was well this morning
  4. DRefuse, and tell the nurse that the vital signs were not taken
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
94969810010210410635363738394041°F°C98.5 °F? °C

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient’s temperature is 98.5 °F. Convert it to degrees Celsius T with °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Round to one decimal place.

98.5 °F
T = °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
00:0021:4008:00t = ?

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion starts at 21:40 and finishes at 08:00 the next morning (24-hour clock). How many minutes t did it run?

21:4008:00
t = min

3Solutions

1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: B · Report what they see to the nurse, who can review the plan

Why this is the answer

The nursing assistant's observations help the nurse and team update the care plan. Changing it alone, or silently stopping care, is outside the role and can harm the resident.

Answer

B · Report what they see to the nurse, who can review the plan
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: D · Refuse, and tell the nurse that the vital signs were not taken

Why this is the answer

Writing values that were not measured is falsifying a record, which is illegal and dangerous. The nursing assistant refuses, makes sure the nurse knows the vital signs are still needed and, if this is a pattern, reports it.

Answer

D · Refuse, and tell the nurse that the vital signs were not taken
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: T = 36.9 °C

Temperature: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 and °F = °C × 9/5 + 32. Subtract 32 before you multiply when going from °F, and add 32 after you multiply when going from °C. A quick check: 37 °C is 98.6 °F, and every 1 °C is 1.8 °F.

Subtract 32

98.5 − 32 = 66.5

Multiply by 5/9

T = 66.5·5/9 = 36.94 ≈ 36.9 °C

Answer

T = 36.9 °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: t = 620 min

24-hour clock: from 1 PM onwards add 12 to the hour (3:45 PM = 15:45). Midnight to 12:59 AM is 00:00–00:59, and 12:00–12:59 PM stays 12:00–12:59. Going back, subtract 12 from hours 13–23 and add PM; hours 00 become 12 AM. Count time across midnight in two parts: up to 24:00 (00:00), then from 00:00 on.

Before midnight

21:40 → 24:00 = 140 min

After midnight

00:00 → 08:00 = 480 min

Total

t = 140 + 480 = 620 min

Answer

t = 620 min

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