You’ve taken your CNA training classes and now you are ready to take the certification exam, or are you? You know the information like the back of your hand and you can still hear your CNA training instructor repeating the vital parts you’ll need to remember, but you’re still nervous. Here’s a few CNA training tips that will help you pass the exam, and calm your anxiety up until the big day.

From CNA Training to CNA Exam – What to Expect

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, there isn’t a practice exam available for certification after your CNA training. However, you should be well prepared if you review the material you’ve learned in your CNA training classes. When you enter the exam, you will have the option to complete the quiz portion of the exam on paper, by computer or orally. If you feel more comfortable taking the exam in Spanish, that is also available.

After the written portion of the exam, you’ll also have a practical portion where you will be required to demonstrate two skills the examiner will select.

Tips for Passing the CNA Training Exam

For some, taking the written test is a bit easier than the practical portion because you don’t have someone standing over you following your every move. While the examiner understands that you’re nervous, he won’t let too many errors slide.

Many people draw a blank during the practical portion, forgetting the steps they learned in their CNA training. For this reason, we highly urge you to practice the practical skills with a partner, while going through the steps in your CNA training manual. The key is for each skill to come naturally without having to think about the steps.

 Tip #1: Wash Your Hands Correctly

Again, follow the steps from your CNA training classes. Remember to bring down some paper towels from the holders before you begin. Turn on the water, use plenty of soap and wash every part of your hand and up to your wrist. Make sure you scrub for at least 20 seconds and then rinse thoroughly. Grab the paper towel you have hanging to dry your hands. Take your used paper towel to turn off the faucet.

If you have acrylic nails, make sure you have them removed before your CNA training exam. If you have long fingernails, be sure to trim them short.

Tip #2: Privacy Is Priority

Whenever you enter a patient’s room, be sure to knock beforehand. If you are working on a patient behind a curtain, always close the curtain when you approach him and then close it when you leave. If you don’t have a physical door or curtain to close, simply telling the examiner what you will do is sufficient.

Tip #3: Safety Is Important

Just as you learned in CNA training, when you approach a patient, always remember to bring the bed up to work on him. When you are done, don’t forget to lower the bed again. Always use the gait belt for lifting patients or other large items. It’s also important not to forget to make sure your patient has the call button within reach. You may want to ask the patient where he would like it to make acknowledgement of the importance of it.

Being able to remember the steps that most CNA training exam takers miss and then demonstrating the skills you know well, you’ll be in a better position to pass your certification exam. And all of that work you’ve done in your CNA training will be well worth it.

You’ve worked so hard on your CNA training so you don’t want to blow all that effort and time by failing your certification exam. Knowing what to do when you get to the exam will greatly help your chances of passing.

The good news is that the examination isn’t all that difficult. As long as you paid attention during your CNA training courses, you should be good to go on the test.

The practical part of the exam is generally the only part that intimidates students. This is where you’ll perform the actions you’ve learned, such as moving a patient or taking vital signs. All of the steps have been covered in your CNA training classes but the anxiety of an instructor watching and grading you can make you miss some crucial actions. What should you do? The main help is to continually practice the steps while looking at your CNA training manual to be sure you don’t miss any steps. Here’s some additional advice that will get you from CNA training classes to CNA training graduation and certification.

CNA Training – Passing Your Test

Tip #1: Take Practice Tests

Even though the National Council of State Boards of Nursing states they don’t have release any practice tests for the CNA training exams, you can find many online made by different organizations. Remember that these are only practice tests and don’t cover all of the material, so the more you take the more information you’ll review.

Tip #2: Remember Patient Dignity

When taking the exam, remain professional at all times, even with your mock patient. You should address the patient with sir or ma’am. If you slip up, don’t worry, just apologize and acknowledge that you shouldn’t have called the person sweetie or whatever other word you used.

Tip #3: Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands

While you probably wouldn’t forget to wash your hands when working with patients, you may not remember while taking the exam since it doesn’t seem as necessary. However, the examiner will deduct points if you don’t perform this essential step.

If there is no sink available, don’t assume that this step doesn’t count. You should tell the examiner that you would wash your hands thoroughly before working with the patient.

Tip #4: Interact with Patient

Even though you are showing the examiner the skills you learned in CNA training, it’s important that you also show him how you would interact with the patient and show your care. That means that with your mock patient, you should ask how he is doing while you performing the skills. You should remember to tell the patient to let you know if anything feels uncomfortable or if he needs anything else before you leave.

Tip #5 Protect Yourself

While there may be no hazards around while you taking the exam, you need to act as though you are in a regular work setting. So if you have to move the patient from one bed to the next, don’t forget to put your gait belt on. If there isn’t one available, simply say to the examiner, “This is when I would put my gait belt on before moving him.”

Ready to Pass the CNA Training Exam!

By keeping these tips in mind you will pass your CNA training examination with ease. Don’t forget that this is an exam of what you know and as long as you know the CNA training material, you’ll perform well.

You’ve taken your CNA training courses and now you’re ready to take the exam. Of course you don’t want to fail the examination so you’re wondering if you should purchase that study guide you were offered online.

About CNA Training Exam Preparation

Well, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, there are no practice tests to further prepare you after CNA Training. However, they do recommend that if you review the material from your CNA training courses, you’ll be a good position to pass the exam.

The certification exam has two parts: written and practical. Many exam takers say that the written test is a breeze and that it has more to do with common sense then the specifics of what you’ve learned in your CNA training. What you may have a little trouble with is the practical portion since you’ll have a test examiner looking over your shoulder who isn’t as familiar as your CNA training instructor had become.

Since you had a practicum in which you were made to practice all of the duties you are responsible for as a CNA, this section is basically a review of everything you did in those lessons. If you review each section of your notes for the practicum section of your CAN training classes, you’ll be ready to pass this part.

Most CNA training students won’t have to purchase the study guides because they can use the material from their CNA training guide to prepare for the examination. However, if you feel that you could use supplemental reading, you may benefit from the CNA study guides.

How a CNA Training Study Guides Can Help You

The study guides present the CNA examination material in an easy to follow format. You’ll find that only the most important sections of your training are covered and they only provide you with an overview of the material. This is because you won’t need to know specifics for the exam. Many study guides will also include questions and answers so that you can test yourself. This is a great way to assess how much you know already and how much more you need to study.

You’ll also find some definitions so if you are tested on any of the medical terms CNAs usually use, you’ll know them. You may want to take these words and write them down on index cards with the definition on the back to help remember them. If you don’t have time to sit and study for the exam, you could invest in the CDs that are available. Simply pop the CNA training CD into your car as you drive to work or other obligations and listen to it. You’ll soon have all of the information fresh in your mind and won’t have to spend any extra time doing it.

Final Thoughts on CNA Study Guides

While you don’t necessarily need the CAN study guides, you should purchase them if you haven’t invested the effort and time you should have in your CNA training. It’s basically the short cut to learning information you should have during your CNA training courses.

Last week, we discussed the topics covered on your CNA training state written exam. There are two parts to every CNA training state exam. There are the CNA state exam questions, and the second part, known as the CNA skills test. We will be discussing the second part today.

The skills portion of your CNA training exam can be stressful and intimidating. Without the proper preparation, you may find yourself fumbling over even the simplest tasks. Here are a few tips to help you through.

Studying For Your CNA Training Skills Test

When you complete your written exam after CNA training, you will be required to take a skill’s test. This test involves you, a state examiner, and, at times, a volunteer from your CNA training class. If a volunteer is not used, you may work with a medical doll.

You will be tested on three different skills from your CNA training. The skills are selected by your state examiner, and you will not know what they are until the skills test begins. For this reason, it is important to study every skill that has been addressed. You may be asked to bathe your patient, brush their teeth, transfer them from the bed to a wheelchair, take vital signs, change linens, or any other skill you have learned during your CNA training.

This is the final step after your CNA training class. Here are a few tips to make sure you are prepared and ready.

Final Questions Before Your CNA exam. Are you still unsure about any of the techniques or skills you learned during your CNA training class? Now is the time to take your instructor aside and ask for that final bit of clarity. Make a list of things you are unsure of and ask the necessary questions. You may want to physically demonstrate some of the skills to make sure you have them right.

Taking The CNA Training Skills Test

The day of your CNA training skills test can be stressful and overwhelming because it is an important step towards your new career. With the added stress of having an examiner watching you complete your set of three skills, you may feel even more anxiety. With these tips, though, you can complete the skills portion of the exam in a calm and collected manner.

• Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam. According to the Virginia Tech Schiffert Health Center, located at www.healthcenter.vt.edu, even sacrificing a few hours of sleep can greatly affect your memory and ability to concentrate. Lack of sleep can also lead to an increase in certain emotions, like stress, anxiety, irritability, and anger. If you want to do well on your test, a good night’s rest is extremely important.

• Eat a great breakfast, and if your test is in the afternoon, a good lunch. Without a proper meal, you may be distracted from the tasks at hand and may make silly errors during your test. Avoid foods that could cause stomach problems.

• During your test, don’t forget to speak calmly and informatively to your patient. Even if your patient is a medical prop, you must engage with them as if they are a real patient. Introduce yourself at the start of each skill and make sure you inform the patient of every step you will be taking.

• Wash your hands. Often. There is no limit to the number of times you should wash your hands, although it is important to do so before and after each different skill. During your CNA training, your teacher will inform you of how to wash your hands correctly. Failing to wash your hands properly during your skills exam can lead to failure, because it is an important infection control issue.

• Don’t try to hide your mistakes. If you recognize a problem with your technique or the way you performed a procedure, admit it. Let the state examiner know what you should have done to complete the skill correctly. This will prove that you are both honest and knowledge about the task, and it could possibly result in a higher test grade.

This could be the start of your new career, so it is important for you to be prepared. When it is time for your CNA training state exam, make sure you are ready for both the written and clinical portions of the exam.

Topics On The CNA Training Written Exam

The amount of questions for each CNA training written exam will vary depending on the state you live in. Typically, there are less than 70 questions on each exam, and they are all multiple choice. Provisions are made for those who have difficulty reading the questions or who do not speak English as their first language. An oral exam may be used instead, and, for Spanish speaking students, a test is available in Spanish.

The written exam covers a variety of topics to test the knowledge of each student at the end of their CNA training. Here are a few topics you may come across.

CNA Training Exam – Patient Needs

• Cleanliness- One of the first topics on your CNA training exam will be the cleanliness of your patients. Throughout your CNA training, you will be expected to learn how to properly bathe your patients, dress them, take care of dressings, and change their bed linens. During your written exam, this knowledge will test your knowledge with questions such as what to do if a patient refuses to take a shower.

• Safety- Questions on the tests relating to safety often address what you should do if you come into a room and find a patient is not breathing or which position side rails should be in when you are not in the room with a patient. The test may also include questions concerning your safety, such as how to properly lift patients.

CNA Training Exam – Communication

• Interacting With Patients- It can be difficult sometimes to interact with certain types of patients. Alzheimer patients, for instance, may not understand where they are or what they are doing at times. The CNA training exam will address this type of situation, and you will have to determine how to interact and respond.

• Reporting To Your Nurse- There will be certain times during your career where you will need to turn to your nurse for direction. On the exam, there will be questions regarding certain situations in which you will have to decide if a nurse is needed.

CNA Training – Varied Topics

• Patient’s rights- There are many rules and regulations regarding patient’s rights that you will learn during CNA training. On the exam, your knowledge of the HIPPA laws and OBRA will be tested. You may also be presented with difficult hypothetical situations, such as what you would do if you one of your coworkers and friends was neglecting or abusing a patient.

• Infection Control- Controlling infections is a big part of the CNA job. During CNA training, you are taught different infection control techniques like washing your hands before and after every procedure and activity. The test will address these techniques, as well as your knowledge about the different types of infections you may experience during the course of your career.

If you want to pass your CNA training written exam, make sure you are know what topics will be addressed on the exam.

How Does the CNA Training Examination Work?

There are two basic components involved in the CNA training evaluation. One portion is hands-on and the other is wither written or oral. Both portions are given on the same day and must both be passed in order for the student’s name to be placed on the Nurses Aide Registry. This allows them to be employed by hospitals and other medical facilities around the country. The exact scores and tests will vary slightly from one state to the next. Anyone who has completed their CNA training has the opportunity to pass the certification tests.

The written examination contains an estimated seventy questions and must be passed by a certain percentage determined by that state. For those who are not proficient in the English language, an oral examination may be possible. The hands-on section of the CNA training exam requires students to perform a total of five separate actions. These are chosen from a standard list of the twenty-five main functions of a certified nursing assistant. All functions are chosen randomly by qualified instructors and evaluated by such.

Specific Skills to Hone for the CNA Training Examination

The best way to keep from failing the examination to start with is to practice, practice, practice. Here are a few skills in which to work on and perfect.

• Correct hand cleansing procedure
• Make an bed that is occupied
• Clean patient’s dentures
• Using belt transfer when assisting ambulate
• Removing or donning gown and gloves
• Assisting with use of bedpan
• Give a modified version of bed bath
• Use belt transfer to assist movement from bed to wheelchair
• Provision of perinea and catheter care for female patients
• Ability to put on a single knee-high elastic stocking
• Feed patient that is unable to feed themselves
• Monitor and record patient’s respiratory rate
• Weigh then record in file of ambulatory patient
• Monitor and record patient’s radial pulse
• Provide basic hygiene care for mouth, feet and fingernails
• Take note and record the urinary output and blood pressure of patient
• Repositioning of patient
• Provide basic exercises for knee, ankle, or shoulder to keep a good range of motion

Options If You Fail the CNA Training Exam

If a person fails the CNA training exam then it is possible to retake that particular portion of the test. If both sections were a total wreck then trainees can take both of them. If only one portion was affected then the student has two more times to pass. This is the case in most, but not all, states. Check with the state board to be sure. If all three times are a big failure then the student is required to go back to school for what those in the CNA training industry call “retraining”. Once this is accomplished, the exam “slate” is wiped clean and students are given three more attempts to pass.

We hope this information has been helpful as you prepare for your CNA training exam!

If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. The following information will use your CNA training to prepare you for your exam.

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA Training) Exam

The certified nursing exam is made up of two different parts. The first is a written exam and consists of a series of multiple choice questions. The second part is based on the skills you have learned and your ability to perform them when asked by the instructor.

Let’s look at the multiple choice section of your CNA training exam first. Provided you have studied and paid attention during your CNA training, you should do fine. Here is a sampling of 5 questions that may appear on your CNA test. We are providing these questions to you as a courtesy and as a confidence booster. If you are able to answer these questions without issue, know that you will do fine on your CNA training exam.

CNA Training Exam Questions

1. A nursing home resident who regularly carries a doll and treats it as her baby can’t locate it. The certified nursing assistant should:

a. Ask the resident where she had it last.

b. Ask the front desk if they have seen it.

c. Offer comfort and help look for the missing doll.

2. A nursing assistant is asked to change a urinary drainage bag attached to a catheter. The CNA is not familiar with this procedure. The best response would be to:

a. Change it anyway and try your best.

b. Ask another CNA to do it for you.

c. Ask the head nurse on duty to watch you change the bag and admit it is your first time.

3. Which of the following is a normal task that is performed by a CNA?

a. Taking a medication order over the phone from a physician.

b. Changing sterile wound dressings.

c. Participating in resident care planning conferences.

4. Which of the following sentences is true regarding range of motion?

a. Range of motion is performed once per day

b. It helps prevent paralysis

c. Are often performed during bathing or dressing.

5. While the CNA is dressing a resident who is confused, the resident keeps trying to grab a hairbrush. The CNA should:

a. Place the brush out of sight.

b. Restrain the resident’s hand.

c. Give the resident the hairbrush to hold.

If you answered c to each of the cna training exam questions above, you are correct. As you can see, some of the questions will be about actual procedures, while many of the CNA exam questions will indirectly be about patient rights and particular situations.

It is important that you take the patient rights into consideration whenever you are reading your CNA training questions. Some of the test questions will seem tricky, until you read them with the patient rights in mind.

Once you are in the real world, working as a certified nursing technician, it’s important to look back to your CNA training and remember the patient’s rights. Sure, you may not see the need for a particular resident to find their doll or hold their hair brush, but if it is important to them it should be important to you. Nursing home residents are often disoriented and confused. It is vital that you, as their caregiver, uphold their rights and allow them to be exactly who they are. Refer often to your CNA training.

Stressed yet? Don’t be. We are about to go over some key tips that will have your confidence levels running high.

• Practice the skills your instructor has taught you. You may not always be able to practice during class time; that’s okay. Enlist the help of your friends, other students, or family members. Be sure to ask your instructor for clarification on any steps that you are unsure of though. Some of the skills are based on exact procedures, completed in a specific order of steps, so it’s vital to get clarification on anything you may be confused about. Never be afraid to ask for clarification. If you allow yourself to fall into that trap, it can lead to a barrier in learning and eventually lower your chances of passing the exam. Remember, the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked.
• Rest beats stress. Be sure to get the proper amount of sleep while you are taking your classes and the night before your CNA test. The less sleep you receive, the less your mind will be able to retain. Don’t make things hard on yourself. This is an important crossroads in your life, so do things right.
• The day of the test: When testing day arrives, you should be well rested and fully knowledgeable of the required skills.

During the testing procedures – Remember to wash your hands repeatedly throughout the session. Wash your hands before and after each procedure. Neglecting to do so is part of infection control. Ultimately, it can lead to failure of your CNA test.

Concentrate on the procedures performing the skills with confidence. If you look like you don’t know what you are doing, it’s going to come across loud and clear. If you are doing the procedures on regular people who are posing as the patients, be sure to smile, make them feel comfortable, and explain the procedures before you do each one. This will show that you have the level of compassion necessary for nursing. This is also a part of the patients rights, since they do have the right to refuse whatever you are planning to do.

• If you make a mistake during your exam do not avoid it. Tell the examiner that you just realized that you missed a step, or whatever the case may be. By explaining what you’ve done incorrectly and also detailing how you should have done the procedure, you are proving that you actually DO know how to

Take these tips and combine them with a working knowledge of the skills you’ve studied and learned in the classroom and that spells success!

Let’s face it, no matter how hard you study for your CNA certification exam, you might still be a bit apprehensive when the big day comes. Hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of what the CNA test entails and you’ll feel more prepared.

The CNA test consists of a written exam which is followed by a practical exam. First, let’s look at the written exam.

The written portion of the CNA certification test consists of 70 questions which are multiple choice as well as 10 non-scored questions that are used to collect statistical information. The exam questions are on the following subjects:

• Laboratory procedures
• Patient care
• Record keeping
• Basic nursing skills pertinent to a certified nursing assistant

Most schools that you attend will give you one or several pretests before the big exam day comes. This is an important question to ask when you are selecting a school. Even online classes offer pretests, and although the exact same questions will not necessarily be on your exam; taking and passing a pretest will give you an idea of whether you are weak in any specific areas.

If you don’t happen to pass the pretest, use this as a learning tool. Take a look at the questions you answered incorrectly and decide why. Did you misread the question? Was it difficult to understand? Is there a certain area, such as laboratory procedures that you seem to be weak in? Once you determine why you answered incorrectly, you’ll be able to go back and study the things that you need in order to pass.

Also, when taking notes during class, most teachers really stress areas that you need to know. After all, the school wants their students to succeed. Keep this in mind when taking your notes and be sure to highlight or write down key phrases.

The second part of the certified nursing assistant exam is a skill evaluation test. This practical test includes the following:

• A hands on portion where students are required to perform five skills the evaluator randomly selects. These skills could include taking a temperature, positioning a patient, the correct way to move a patient, taking a blood pressure, and other basic skills. During this portion of the CNA test, your confidence and attention to detail are key. You’ll need to perform all five correctly in order to receive your National Nurse’s Aide Assessment Program Certification.
• Reading comprehension and medical terminology recognition questions.
• An oral examination.

Sounds intimidating, but if you know your material, you will do well. After all, a certified nursing assistant is often responsible for those recovering from severe medical conditions. There is a great responsibility involved.

Bottom line? Be prepared and you will succeed.

There are a number of instructional materials available to assist nursing assistant students develop their technical skills outside of the classroom. These instructional materials usually include manuals and DVDs. The information in the manuals and workbooks is reinforced by the activities on the DVD. A CNA student can review the material that is provided in the manual and complete the workbook exercises and then have the DVD as a visual reference for learning how to physically perform nursing assistant duties. This is a very advantageous way to continue studying your techniques outside of the clinical environment.

Most of the instructional DVD’s focus on specific skill sets individually. This makes it easier for a nursing assistant student to review the topics. The use of instructional DVDs provides the student with the convenience of reviewing and replaying certain techniques more as often as one would like until that particular technique is understood. Likewise, most instructional DVD’s provide graphics and explanations while the subjects in the DVD perform the different techniques. This also adds in understanding and retention of information.

Instructional DVD’s for nursing assistants usually are separated by topic. This is very convenient because the student will be able to follow along with the different techniques such as obtaining vital signs or proper skin care without having all the information placed together. This simplicity makes it a lot easier for knowledge to be absorbed. In addition, if the nursing student wants to review a specific technique or concept for an upcoming test the instructional DVDs are usually divided into topics either with separate DVD’s or the student can access the particular topic from the table of contents in the menu. DVDs make it so much more convenient for a CNA student to review techniques learned in class and continue learning at home.

Purchasing a certified nursing assistant DVD for personal or classroom instruction is an excellent way to reinforce the concepts and techniques learned via books and clinical instruction. The DVDs offer the student the ability and convenience of continuing the learning process outside of the nursing assistant program which is important for perfecting the skills needed to become a certified nursing assistant.