Exam tomorrow?
Your Last-Minute CNA Study Plan
You don't need to memorize everything tonight. You need to find your one weak spot, patch it, and sleep. Here's the plan.
Step 1 — Do this right now (10 min)
Take a quick topic quiz to find your weak spot
20 questions. 10 minutes. Pick the topic you're least confident about and run the quiz — your score tells you exactly where to spend the next hour.
Step 2: Study your weakest topic only
Focus where the exam weight is heaviest. Physical Care is 36% of the test — if you're shaky there, start there.
Physical Care Skills
36% of examROM, positioning, transfers, feeding, vital signs
Safety & Emergency
14% of examRACE/PASS, fall prevention, restraints, call light
Infection Control
14% of examHand hygiene timing, PPE order, isolation types
Resident's Rights
12% of examPrivacy, dignity, right to refuse, OBRA, abuse reporting
Psychosocial & Mental Health
12% of examActive listening, validation therapy, depression signs
Role of the Nurse Aide
12% of examScope of practice, chain of command, documentation
Step 3: Lock in the key numbers
Vital signs appear on nearly every exam. Memorize these cold — then print the full reference card.
Hand hygiene
- Wash 20 seconds
- Before AND after every resident contact
- Before putting on gloves
- After removing gloves
Report to nurse immediately
- Falls (any)
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Sudden change in mental status
- Refusal of food or medications
Choking response
- Conscious: Heimlich maneuver
- Unconscious: Lower to floor, call for help, begin CPR
- Never do blind finger sweeps
Resident rights (OBRA)
- Right to privacy and dignity
- Right to refuse any treatment
- Right to access their own records
- Free from abuse and restraints
Step 4: Sleep. For real.
A rested brain recalls information faster and makes fewer careless errors. Cramming past midnight costs more than it gains. Set your alarm, lay out your ID and registration, and sleep.
Morning of the exam
- Eat breakfast — even something small.
- Arrive 15 minutes early so you can settle in.
- Read each question twice before choosing an answer.
- Skip questions you're unsure of and come back — mark them.
- For "what do you do first" questions: safety always comes first.
- When in doubt, choose the most patient-centered option.