CNA Skills Test: Hand Hygiene & PPE — Certified Nursing Assistant Practice Test

This Certified Nursing Assistant CNA Skills Test: Hand Hygiene & PPE practice set has 28 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation.

Sample questions

Three questions from the CNA Skills Test: Hand Hygiene & PPE bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 28 questions at random from the same bank.

1. During the hand hygiene skill, when should you apply soap to your hands?

   • After wetting your hands and wrists with water — Correct answer
   • Before wetting your hands, onto dry skin
   • After turning off the faucet
   • Only at the very end, just before drying

   Explanation: Wet your hands and wrists with water FIRST, then apply soap. Applying soap before wetting is a scored error. (Source: NNAAP-aligned Hand Hygiene checklist, NCBI Bookshelf NBK593195)

   Handbook: Skills: Hand Hygiene & PPE — Hand Hygiene (Handwashing)

2. What is the minimum amount of time you must scrub your hands with friction during the hand hygiene skill?

   • At least 20 seconds — Correct answer
   • About 5 seconds
   • Exactly 1 minute
   • There is no minimum time

   Explanation: The defensible minimum total wash time with friction is at least 20 seconds. Falling under the 20-second standard is a scored failure. (Source: NNAAP-aligned Hand Hygiene checklist, NCBI Bookshelf NBK593195)

   Handbook: Skills: Hand Hygiene & PPE — Hand Hygiene (Handwashing)

3. While washing and rinsing during the hand hygiene skill, how should you position your hands?

   • Fingertips pointing down, hands lower than the elbows — Correct answer
   • Fingertips pointing up, hands above the elbows
   • Hands held flat and level with the shoulders
   • Position does not matter as long as you use soap

   Explanation: Keep fingertips pointing DOWN with hands and forearms lower than the elbows, so contaminated water runs off the fingertips into the sink instead of up the arms. (Source: NNAAP-aligned Hand Hygiene checklist, NCBI Bookshelf NBK593195)

   Handbook: Skills: Hand Hygiene & PPE — Hand Hygiene (Handwashing)