What topics are on the CNA written exam?
Updated · Reviewed against official sources
On the NNAAP written exam, the biggest areas are basic nursing skills such as infection control, safety and data collection (35% of scored questions) and activities of daily living such as hygiene, nutrition and elimination (22%). The rest covers self-care, emotional and mental health, spiritual and cultural needs, communication, client rights, legal and ethical behavior and teamwork. Other states' exams cover similar federal training topics but publish their own outlines.
| Area | Share | Scored items |
|---|---|---|
| Physical care: Activities of daily living | 22% | 13 |
| Physical care: Basic nursing skills | 35% | 21 |
| Physical care: Self-care and independence | 7% | 4 |
| Psychosocial: Emotional and mental health needs | 8% | 5 |
| Psychosocial: Spiritual and cultural needs | 2% | 1 |
| Role of the nurse aide: Communication | 7% | 4 |
| Role of the nurse aide: Client rights | 8% | 5 |
| Role of the nurse aide: Legal and ethical behavior | 5% | 3 |
| Role of the nurse aide: Member of the health care team | 6% | 4 |
Most tested topics, in plain words
- Infection control: hand hygiene, when to wear gloves and other PPE, clean vs. dirty, isolation basics.
- Safety and emergencies: falls, call light within reach, bed in low position, fire response, choking.
- Data collection and reporting: vital signs, intake and output, reporting changes to the nurse.
- Daily care: bathing, mouth care, dressing, toileting, feeding and fluids, skin care.
- Residents' rights: privacy, dignity, choices, freedom from abuse and restraints.
- Your role: what is and is not in a nurse aide's scope, and when to report.
Where the topics come from
Federal rules (42 CFR 483.152) list what nurse aide training must cover: communication, infection control, safety and emergency procedures, residents' independence and rights, basic nursing skills, personal care, mental health and social needs, care of cognitively impaired residents and basic restorative services. State exams are built to test those competencies.
If your state does not use NNAAP
States that use another vendor publish their own outline in the candidate handbook. The topics overlap heavily because they all come from the same federal requirements, but weights differ. Find your handbook on our state pages.
Quick answers
- What topics show up most on the CNA written test?
- On NNAAP, basic nursing skills (35%) and activities of daily living (22%). Infection control and safety sit inside basic nursing skills.
- What is on the California CNA written exam?
- California publishes its own outline in its candidate handbook; see our California page.
- Are there CNA exam questions about dementia and Alzheimer's care?
- Yes. Care of cognitively impaired residents is a required training topic. Practice with the mental health and social needs drill.
- Are there CNA exam questions on abuse and neglect reporting?
- Yes, under client rights and legal and ethical behavior. Try the residents' rights drill.
What to do next
See how you score in each of these areas with a free test, then drill your weakest one.
Test every topic freeRelated guides
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- CNA vocabulary list with simple meanings
- Is there a completely free CNA practice test with no sign-up?
- How many practice questions should I do before the CNA exam?
- CNA exam tricky questions: how do I pick the best answer?
- Is Quizlet good enough to pass the CNA exam?
Sources
- Credentia: 2024 NNAAP Written (Oral) Examination Content Outline
- 42 CFR 483.152: Nurse aide training program requirements
Checked: . Rules, fees and vendors change — always confirm with your state's official page and candidate handbook.