CNA Activities of Daily Living Practice Test (Free)

How much of the CNA exam is activities of daily living?

Activities of daily living is 22% of the scored questions and self-care and independence another 7%, so this block is close to a third of the written exam.

Weight on the real exam (NCSBN) and on our mocks
Activities of daily living	22% of the scored questions, about 13 of 60Published by the ownerNCSBN, "2024 NNAAP written examination content outline" (PDF)
Self-care and independence	7% of the scored questions, about 4 of 60Published by the ownerNCSBN, "2024 NNAAP written examination content outline" (PDF)
On our mocks	20 of 70 questions in every mock, mixed in with the other sectionsLifeScore

What does the daily living section ask about?

Seven everyday care tasks, each with a handful of safety rules that the questions test again and again.

Bathing and hygiene
Water temperature checked first, clean to dirty, eyes inner to outer corner, perineal care front to back, exposing only the part being washed.
Toileting and elimination
Bedpans and urinals, catheter bags below the bladder and off the floor, specimen collection, what urine and stool changes to report.
Nutrition and fluids
Sitting upright to eat and for 30 minutes after, thickened liquids, the clock method for low vision, recording intake and meal percentages.
Positioning and turning
At least every 2 hours for a client who cannot move, Fowler's and side-lying positions, floating heels, logrolling.
Transfers and walking
Gait belts snug over clothing, brakes locked, non-skid shoes, moving toward the stronger side, standing on the weaker side when walking.
Skin, rest and comfort
Spotting early pressure injuries, never massaging red areas, reporting pain, helping sleep with routines rather than medicine.
Self-care and independence
7%
Letting the client do every step they can, adaptive equipment, cueing and encouraging rather than taking over.

What do daily living questions look like?

Short care situations where the right answer is the safe one and the one that keeps the client independent. The first two are worked step by step.

CNA-style question 1 · Self-care
A client recovering from a stroke can button a shirt slowly but the nurse aide is running late. What should the aide do?
1. AButton the shirt for the client to save time
2. BLet the client button the shirt and allow extra time
3. CSkip the shirt and use a gown today
4. DChoose a pullover shirt without asking
Worked answer
B: Let the client button the shirt and allow extra time. Doing for clients what they can do for themselves takes away independence and slows recovery. Plan the extra time.
The trap: Being efficient feels helpful; it is not the aide's choice to make.
CNA-style question 2 · Nutrition
A client finishes lunch and wants to lie flat for a nap. What should the nurse aide do?
1. ALower the bed halfway and add a pillow
2. BLower the bed flat right away
3. CKeep the client sitting up for about 30 minutes first
4. DTurn the client onto the stomach
Worked answer
C: Keep the client sitting up for about 30 minutes first. Staying upright after eating lowers the risk of reflux and aspiration.
The trap: Comfort now versus safety later.
CNA-style question 3 · Elimination
Where should a urinary drainage bag be kept while a client sits in a wheelchair?
1. AHung on the chair frame below the bladder, off the floor
2. BOn the floor beside the chair
3. CHung on the armrest above the hip
4. DOn the client's lap
Show the answer
A: Hung on the chair frame below the bladder, off the floor. Below the bladder lets urine drain without flowing back; off the floor keeps it clean.
CNA-style question 4 · Positioning
A client on bed rest has red heels. What should the nurse aide do?
1. ARub the heels with lotion
2. BPlace a pillow under the calves so the heels float
3. CTuck the sheet tightly over the feet
4. DPut a pillow under the heels
Show the answer
B: Place a pillow under the calves so the heels float. Floating the heels removes all pressure from them; a pillow under the heels still presses on them.

Written for this page as worked examples. None is a real exam question, and none is in any mock or drill.

Daily living is a third of the exam. Own it.

Twelve questions show the gap. 4 more daily living drills and 8 full mocks close it.

The CNA Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The CNA Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the CNA Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 16
topic drills: 1
score predictor

Which numbers come up in daily living questions?

A short list of times, angles and measurements that the exam expects you to know without thinking.

Standard nurse aide training figures (textbook values; follow your facility's policy where it differs)
What	The number	Why it matters
Repositioning a client who cannot move	At least every 2 hours	Relieves pressure before skin breaks down
Sitting up after a meal	About 30 minutes	Lowers the risk of reflux and aspiration
Semi-Fowler's position	Head of bed about 30 to 45 degrees	Comfort, breathing, tube feedings
High Fowler's position	About 60 to 90 degrees	Eating and breathing difficulty
1 fluid ounce	30 mL	Recording intake
Ostomy or drainage bag	Empty at one-third to one-half full	A heavy bag pulls and leaks
Gait belt fit	Snug, with fingers slipping under it	Secure without hurting

What rules win daily living questions?

Five rules settle most of them.

Independence first
If the client can do it, let them, even if it is slower. Cue, set up and encourage.
Lock, then move
Bed, wheelchair and commode wheels locked before any transfer; bed low afterwards.
Strong side leads
Transfer toward the stronger side; walk on the weaker side, slightly behind.
Clean to dirty
Bathing and perineal care go from the cleanest area to the dirtiest, front to back.
Report the change
New redness, pain, poor intake or a change in output goes to the nurse now.

What traps are set in daily living questions?

Most wrong options are faster, kinder-sounding or more thorough than the right one.

Doing a task for the client to save time.
Massaging a red area "to help circulation".
Putting a pillow directly under the heels.
Placing the wheelchair on the weak side so you can support it.
Leaving a catheter bag on the bed rail above the bladder.
Lying a client flat right after a meal.

How do I study daily living in a week?

Twenty minutes a day: one drill, then the explanations, then one rule list.

Our plan, with minutes a day

Day 1
20 min
Take the free drill above and note which tasks you missed.
Day 2
20 min
Bathing, perineal care and skin: learn clean to dirty and what to report.
Day 3
20 min
Transfers and walking: brakes, belts, strong side, weak side.
Day 4
20 min
Positioning: the named positions and how to protect bony areas.
Day 5
20 min
Feeding, fluids and intake arithmetic.
Day 6
20 min
Self-care and independence: cue, set up, encourage.
Day 7
25 min
Another drill from the Pass Pack or a full mock to check.

Frequently asked questions

How many daily living questions are on the CNA exam?

About 13 of the 60 scored NNAAP questions are activities of daily living and about 4 are self-care and independence.

What is the most tested daily living skill?

Safe transfers and positioning come up often, along with feeding safety and perineal care, because mistakes there injure clients.

Do these questions cover the skills test too?

They test the knowledge behind skills such as transfers, feeding and perineal care. The hands-on test is covered in how to pass the CNA exam.

Is the free drill the same every time?

Yes, the free drill is one fixed set. The Pass Pack adds four more drills for this section with no repeats.

Make daily living your strongest section

16 topic drills (4 for daily living), 8 full mocks and a predictor, in one payment with no subscription.