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

When a new resident is admitted, which task is often done by the nursing assistant?

  1. AExplaining the resident's diagnosis to the family
  2. BMeasuring height, weight and vital signs and listing belongings
  3. CDeciding which medicines the resident will take each day
  4. DWriting the resident's care plan and the first nursing assessment
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledgeHard

A resident whose wife died recently stays in his room, eats little and says he does not want to see anyone. What should the nursing assistant do?

  1. ASpend time with him, listen and report the changes
  2. BLeave him alone, because he has said that he wants to be alone
  3. CInsist that he attend every activity today
  4. DTell him he must cheer up because life goes on
3.Nursing math & unit conversionsMedium
94969810010210410635363738394041°F°C105 °F? °C

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). A patient’s temperature is 105 °F. Convert it to degrees Celsius T with °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9. Round to one decimal place.

105 °F
T = °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversionsHard
00:0023:2007:35t = ?

Practice exercise (made-up values, not clinical guidance). An infusion starts at 23:20 and finishes at 07:35 the next morning (24-hour clock). How many minutes t did it run?

23:2007:35
t = min

3Solutions

1.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: B · Measuring height, weight and vital signs and listing belongings

Why this is the answer

On admission, nursing assistants often take baseline measurements, list belongings on an inventory form and help the resident settle in. The nurse assesses the resident and plans care.

Answer

B · Measuring height, weight and vital signs and listing belongings
2.Nursing assistant (CNA) knowledge

Answer: A · Spend time with him, listen and report the changes

Why this is the answer

Withdrawal and poor appetite after a loss may be grief or depression. Listening and showing interest supports him, and reporting the changes lets the team assess him. Forcing or dismissing his feelings does not help.

Answer

A · Spend time with him, listen and report the changes
3.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: T = 40.6 °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

105 − 32 = 73

Multiply by 5/9

T = 73·5/9 = 40.56 ≈ 40.6 °C

Answer

T = 40.6 °C
4.Nursing math & unit conversions

Answer: t = 495 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

23:20 → 24:00 = 40 min

After midnight

00:00 → 07:35 = 455 min

Total

t = 40 + 455 = 495 min

Answer

t = 495 min

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