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CNA Exam Preparation · High-yield review

CNA — High-Yield Review

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On this page 2 sections
  1. In 30 seconds
  2. The college version

In 30 seconds

A condensed, exam-focused review of all 15 topics. Use after working through the topic files.

The college version

Highest-Yield Facts

  • High yield: CNA scope: no administering medications, no sterile procedures, no independent diagnosis/treatment. When in doubt, get the nurse.
  • High yield: Resident rights: privacy, confidentiality (HIPAA), right to refuse, right to choose.
  • High yield: Abuse (physical, emotional, financial, sexual) must be reported (mandated reporter).
  • High yield: Objective = signs (observed); subjective = symptoms (reported).
  • High yield: Normal adult vitals: HR 60–100 bpm, RR 12–20, temperature ~98.6°F (37°C).
  • High yield: Intake/output conversion: 1 oz = 30 mL.
  • High yield: Hand hygiene: soap and water ≥20 seconds (or alcohol rub); when to use each.
  • High yield: Standard precautions treat ALL blood/body fluids as infectious; transmission-based = contact, droplet, airborne.
  • High yield: Fire safety: RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish); PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
  • High yield: Seizure care: protect the head, clear the area, never put anything in the mouth.
  • High yield: Restraint care: check every 15 minutes, release/reposition every 2 hours.
  • High yield: Dress the weak/affected side FIRST; undress the strong side first.
  • High yield: Perineal care: front to back for females.
  • High yield: Reposition residents every 2 hours; pressure injuries at bony prominences.
  • High yield: Feeding: upright 75–90 degrees; aspiration precautions.

Comparison Tables

Do not confuseWithDifference
Objective dataSubjective dataObserved signs vs reported symptoms
Contact precautionsAirborne precautionsDirect/indirect vs small-droplet (N95/negative pressure)
Standard precautionsTransmission-basedAll patients vs specific pathogens
AbuseNeglectIntentional harm vs failure to provide care
DNRDNINo CPR vs no intubation
Bed bathPartial bathFull body vs only necessary areas
Active ROMPassive ROMResident performs vs aide assists

Cumulative Self-Check (20 questions)

  1. What is outside CNA scope?
  2. Name four resident rights.
  3. Who must abuse be reported to?
  4. Differentiate objective from subjective data.
  5. What is the normal adult heart-rate range?
  6. What is the normal adult respiratory-rate range?
  7. Convert 8 ounces to milliliters.
  8. When is soap-and-water hand hygiene preferred over alcohol rub?
  9. Name the three transmission-based precautions.
  10. What does RACE stand for?
  11. What should you NOT do during a seizure?
  12. How often are restraint checks performed?
  13. Which side do you dress first?
  14. What is the direction of perineal care for females?
  15. How often are residents repositioned?
  16. Name three common pressure-injury sites.
  17. What feeding position reduces aspiration?
  18. What does NPO mean?
  19. Differentiate abuse from neglect.
  20. When should a CNA get help?

Answers and Rationales

  1. Administering medications, sterile procedures, independent diagnosis/treatment.
  2. Privacy, confidentiality, right to refuse, right to choose (any four rights).
  3. The charge nurse / supervisor per facility policy (mandated reporting).
  4. Objective = observed signs; subjective = reported symptoms.
  5. 60–100 bpm.
  6. 12–20 breaths/min.
  7. 240 mL (8 × 30).
  8. When hands are visibly soiled or after contact with infectious material.
  9. Contact, droplet, airborne.
  10. Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish.
  11. Put nothing in the mouth; do not restrain movement (protect the head, clear area).
  12. Every 15 minutes; release/reposition every 2 hours.
  13. The weak/affected side first (undress strong side first).
  14. Front to back.
  15. Every 2 hours.
  16. Heels, sacrum, elbows, hips, back of head (any three).
  17. Upright at 75–90 degrees.
  18. Nothing by mouth.
  19. Abuse = intentional harm; neglect = failure to provide needed care.
  20. For emergencies, changes in condition, or anything outside delegated scope.

Last-Minute Review

  • Role/rights: scope boundaries, resident rights, HIPAA, abuse reporting, advance directives, care plan.
  • Communication/observation: verbal/nonverbal, therapeutic communication, objective vs subjective, documentation.
  • Safety/infection: chain of infection, hand hygiene, precautions, PPE, RACE/PASS, seizure care, body mechanics.
  • Personal care: ADLs, bathing, perineal/oral/denture care, dressing (weak side first).
  • Nutrition/elimination: therapeutic diets, NPO, feeding precautions, I&O (1 oz = 30 mL), catheter care.
  • Mobility/skin: ROM, positioning, transfers, pressure-injury prevention (turn every 2 hours).
  • End-of-life: comfort, dignity, signs of approaching death, postmortem care, family support.

Related

  • Subject overview
  • Topic 01 — Role of the Nurse Aide and Legal/Ethical Standards
  • Topic 06 — Infection Prevention and Control
  • Topic 14 — Skin Care and Pressure Injury Prevention

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