20 Physical Care Skills Practice Questions & Answers

Every Physical Care Skills practice question from the CNA Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.

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1. A nurse aide is providing perineal care for a female resident. In which direction should the aide wipe?
- A.From side to side across the perineum
- B.From back to front (toward the pubis)
- C.From front to back (toward the rectum)✓ Answer
- D.In a circular motion around the anus
Perineal care is always performed front to back, moving from the cleanest area (urethra) to the dirtiest (rectum), which prevents dragging bacteria from the anal area into the urethra and reduces the risk of urinary tract infection.
Source: Standard perineal care procedure (clean-to-dirty principle); NNAAP Skill: Perineal CareReport a problem with this question
2. A resident has weakness on the right side after a stroke. When dressing the resident, which side should the nurse aide put into the clothing first?
- A.The weak (right) side first✓ Answer
- B.The strong (left) side first
- C.Both sides at the same time
- D.Whichever side the resident prefers
The weak or affected side is dressed first and undressed last because moving the limited limb through the garment is easier when the clothing is loose, which reduces strain and pain on the affected joint and prevents injury.
Source: ADL dressing principle: dress the weak/affected side first; NNAAP Skill: DressingReport a problem with this question
3. Before feeding a resident who is able to sit up, in which position should the nurse aide place the resident to reduce the risk of aspiration?
- A.Reclined at 30 degrees with the head tilted back
- B.Upright at 90 degrees with the chin slightly down✓ Answer
- C.Lying on the left side
- D.Flat on the back (supine)
Sitting upright at 90 degrees with the chin tucked slightly down helps food and liquid move down the esophagus rather than into the airway, which reduces the risk of choking and aspiration.
Source: ADL nutrition/feeding safety; aspiration precautions (upright positioning)Report a problem with this question
4. A nurse aide is preparing to give a resident a bath. What is the safest action regarding the water temperature?
- A.Check the water temperature (about 105°F) before the resident gets in✓ Answer
- B.Make the water as hot as possible to clean thoroughly
- C.Use cold water to prevent burns
- D.Let the resident test the water without checking it first
The aide must check the water temperature (around 105°F) before the resident enters, because older residents often have thin, fragile skin and reduced temperature sensation, so water that is too hot can cause burns without the resident noticing.
Source: ADL bathing safety; water temperature ~105°F verificationReport a problem with this question
5. When providing oral care to an unconscious resident, what should the nurse aide do to prevent aspiration?
- A.Lay the resident flat on the back
- B.Turn the resident's head to the side✓ Answer
- C.Tilt the resident's head backward
- D.Pour water into the mouth to rinse well
Turning the head to the side lets fluid drain out of the mouth by gravity instead of pooling in the throat, which prevents an unconscious resident (who cannot swallow or cough protectively) from aspirating fluid into the lungs.
Source: Oral care for the unconscious resident; aspiration precautionsReport a problem with this question
6. A resident has C. difficile infection. Which method of hand hygiene should the nurse aide use after providing care?
- A.Rinse hands with plain water
- B.Use an alcohol-based hand rub only
- C.Wipe hands on a clean paper towel
- D.Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds✓ Answer
C. difficile forms spores that alcohol-based hand rubs do not kill, so hands must be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; the friction and rinsing physically remove the spores from the skin.
Source: CDC hand hygiene guidance; soap and water required for C. difficile (spore-forming)Report a problem with this question
7. To which residents do Standard Precautions apply?
- A.All residents, regardless of their diagnosis✓ Answer
- B.Only residents in isolation rooms
- C.Only residents with a known infection
- D.Only residents who appear visibly ill
Standard Precautions apply to every resident regardless of diagnosis because any person's blood and body fluids may carry infection that has not yet been identified; treating all body fluids as potentially infectious protects both residents and staff.
Source: CDC Standard Precautions; apply to all patients regardless of diagnosisReport a problem with this question
8. After finishing care for a resident in isolation, which item of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse aide remove FIRST?
- A.Gloves✓ Answer
- B.Gown
- C.Mask
- D.Goggles
Gloves are removed first because they are the most contaminated item; taking them off first prevents the aide from transferring pathogens to the face or clean skin, and hands are washed last after all PPE is off.
Source: CDC PPE removal sequence: gloves removed first, hand hygiene lastReport a problem with this question
9. A nurse aide is transferring a resident with left-sided weakness from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action is correct?
- A.Leave the wheelchair unlocked so it can be adjusted
- B.Use a gait belt, lock the wheelchair wheels, and move toward the stronger side✓ Answer
- C.Lift the resident under the arms without a gait belt
- D.Have the resident wear socks only, without shoes
A gait belt gives a secure hold, locking the wheels keeps the chair from rolling away, and moving toward the stronger side lets the resident bear weight on the working limb; together these steps prevent falls and injury during transfer.
Source: Safe transfer technique; gait belt, lock wheels, transfer toward strong sideReport a problem with this question
10. When lifting a heavy object from the floor, what is the correct body mechanics technique?
- A.Hold the object at arm's length away from the body
- B.Bend at the waist keeping the legs straight
- C.Twist at the waist while lifting
- D.Bend at the knees and keep the back straight✓ Answer
Bending at the knees while keeping the back straight uses the strong leg muscles to lift and keeps the spine aligned, which protects the back from strain and injury; twisting or bending at the waist puts dangerous stress on the spine.
Source: Body mechanics principles; bend knees, keep back straight, avoid twistingReport a problem with this question
11. A nurse aide has finished making an occupied bed and must leave the room. Which action best ensures the resident's safety?
- A.Dim the lights and close the door for privacy
- B.Raise the bed to its highest position for easier future care
- C.Leave the side rails down and the call light on the counter
- D.Lower the bed to its lowest position and place the call light within reach✓ Answer
Lowering the bed to its lowest position reduces injury if the resident tries to get up, and keeping the call light within reach lets the resident summon help; both are essential fall-prevention steps before leaving any resident.
Source: Fall prevention/safety: lowest bed position and call light within reachReport a problem with this question
12. A nurse aide measures a resident's blood pressure as 168/96. What is the correct action?
- A.Report the reading to the nurse✓ Answer
- B.Ignore it because one reading does not matter
- C.Give the resident a blood pressure pill
- D.Tell the resident they have high blood pressure
A blood pressure of 168/96 is above the normal range (below 120/80), so the aide reports the abnormal value to the nurse; a nurse aide does not diagnose conditions or give medication, which are outside the CNA scope of practice.
Source: Normal adult BP <120/80; report abnormal findings to nurse; CNA scope of practiceReport a problem with this question
13. To help prevent pressure injuries (pressure ulcers), how often should a bedbound resident be repositioned?
- A.Only when the resident complains of discomfort
- B.Every 8 hours
- C.Once per shift
- D.At least every 2 hours✓ Answer
Repositioning at least every 2 hours relieves prolonged pressure over bony prominences (sacrum, heels, hips), restoring blood flow to the skin before tissue is damaged; unrelieved pressure cuts off circulation and causes pressure injuries.
Source: Pressure injury prevention; reposition at least every 2 hoursReport a problem with this question
14. Where should an indwelling urinary catheter drainage bag be positioned?
- A.Below the level of the bladder✓ Answer
- B.Above the level of the bladder
- C.On the resident's abdomen
- D.On the floor beside the bed
The drainage bag is kept below bladder level so urine flows downward by gravity and does not back up into the bladder; backflow of urine can introduce bacteria and cause a urinary tract infection. The bag must also stay off the floor.
Source: Indwelling catheter care; drainage bag below bladder level, off floor, no backflowReport a problem with this question
15. While bathing a resident, a nurse aide notices a reddened area over the tailbone that does not fade. What should the aide do?
- A.Report and document it, and keep the area clean and dry without massaging it✓ Answer
- B.Massage the reddened area to improve circulation
- C.Apply a heating pad to the area
- D.Do nothing, since redness is normal
Non-blanching redness over a bony area is an early (Stage 1) pressure injury; it must be reported and documented, and the area kept clean and dry. Massaging reddened skin is no longer recommended because it can further damage the already-compromised tissue.
Source: Skin/pressure injury care; report Stage 1, keep clean/dry, do not massage reddened areasReport a problem with this question
16. A nurse aide is performing passive range-of-motion exercises and the resident's elbow will not move any further. What should the aide do?
- A.Continue quickly through the full motion
- B.Have the resident push through the pain
- C.Push firmly to increase the range
- D.Stop at that point and do not force the joint past resistance✓ Answer
Range-of-motion exercises are performed slowly and only to the point of resistance, never forced past it, because forcing a joint can tear muscle or ligament, cause pain, and injure the resident.
Source: Restorative care; ROM to point of resistance, never force past painReport a problem with this question
17. When ambulating (walking) a resident who has weakness on one side, where should the nurse aide walk?
- A.Slightly behind and to the weak side, using a gait belt✓ Answer
- B.Directly behind, holding the back of the resident's clothing
- C.On the strong side, holding the resident's hand
- D.Far in front, pulling the resident forward
Walking slightly behind and to the weak side with a gait belt lets the aide support the side most likely to give way and safely guide the resident down if they start to fall, which prevents injury during ambulation.
Source: Restorative/ambulation safety; walk behind and to the weak side with gait beltReport a problem with this question
18. A resident asks the nurse aide to give them a pill for pain that is sitting on the bedside table. What should the aide do?
- A.Hand the resident the pill and a glass of water
- B.Tell the resident the nurse will handle medication, and report the request to the nurse✓ Answer
- C.Crush the pill and mix it into the resident's food
- D.Refuse and say nothing further
Administering medication is outside the CNA scope of practice, so the aide does not give the pill; instead the aide informs the resident that the nurse manages medications and reports the resident's request to the nurse so the need is addressed.
Source: CNA scope of practice; nurse aides may not administer medicationsReport a problem with this question
19. A resident refuses to eat breakfast and pushes the tray away. What is the nurse aide's BEST response?
- A.Insist the resident eat because breakfast is important
- B.Feed the resident anyway to prevent weight loss
- C.Respect the resident's right to refuse, and report the refusal to the nurse✓ Answer
- D.Remove the tray and document nothing
Residents have the legal right to refuse food and care, so the aide cannot force feeding; the correct action is to respect the refusal and report it to the nurse so intake can be monitored and the care team can follow up.
Source: OBRA Residents' Rights; right to refuse treatment/food, report to nurseReport a problem with this question
20. A resident has an order for thickened liquids because of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). At the meal, only thin water is on the tray. What should the nurse aide do?
- A.Give the thin water since the resident is thirsty
- B.Let the resident drink it slowly through a straw
- C.Add table salt to thicken the water
- D.Withhold the thin water and notify the nurse to obtain the correct thickened liquids✓ Answer
A resident with dysphagia ordered thickened liquids can aspirate thin fluids into the lungs, so the aide must not give the thin water; the correct action is to withhold it and notify the nurse to get the ordered thickened liquid, matching the diet order to the resident before feeding.
Source: Dysphagia/aspiration precautions; verify diet order and thickened-liquid consistency before feedingReport a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the NNAAP written content outline. Not affiliated with Credentia/Pearson VUE or any state nurse-aide registry, and not medical advice. Requirements vary by state. About CNA testing →

1. A nurse aide is providing perineal care for a female resident. In which direction should the aide wipe?

2. A resident has weakness on the right side after a stroke. When dressing the resident, which side should the nurse aide put into the clothing first?

3. Before feeding a resident who is able to sit up, in which position should the nurse aide place the resident to reduce the risk of aspiration?

4. A nurse aide is preparing to give a resident a bath. What is the safest action regarding the water temperature?

5. When providing oral care to an unconscious resident, what should the nurse aide do to prevent aspiration?

6. A resident has C. difficile infection. Which method of hand hygiene should the nurse aide use after providing care?

7. To which residents do Standard Precautions apply?

8. After finishing care for a resident in isolation, which item of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse aide remove FIRST?

9. A nurse aide is transferring a resident with left-sided weakness from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action is correct?

10. When lifting a heavy object from the floor, what is the correct body mechanics technique?

11. A nurse aide has finished making an occupied bed and must leave the room. Which action best ensures the resident's safety?

12. A nurse aide measures a resident's blood pressure as 168/96. What is the correct action?

13. To help prevent pressure injuries (pressure ulcers), how often should a bedbound resident be repositioned?

14. Where should an indwelling urinary catheter drainage bag be positioned?

15. While bathing a resident, a nurse aide notices a reddened area over the tailbone that does not fade. What should the aide do?

16. A nurse aide is performing passive range-of-motion exercises and the resident's elbow will not move any further. What should the aide do?

17. When ambulating (walking) a resident who has weakness on one side, where should the nurse aide walk?

18. A resident asks the nurse aide to give them a pill for pain that is sitting on the bedside table. What should the aide do?

19. A resident refuses to eat breakfast and pushes the tray away. What is the nurse aide's BEST response?

20. A resident has an order for thickened liquids because of swallowing difficulty (dysphagia). At the meal, only thin water is on the tray. What should the nurse aide do?