CNA Skills Test: Vital Signs & Measurements — Certified Nursing Assistant Practice Test
52 questions in this topic · 30 drawn at random this round
A nurse aide answers this practice question correctly about blood pressure cuff placement. What does that mean?
Session Progress
This Certified Nursing Assistant CNA Skills Test: Vital Signs & Measurements practice set has 52 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation.
Sample questions
Three questions from the CNA Skills Test: Vital Signs & Measurements bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.
When taking a radial pulse, where do you locate the radial artery?
- On the thumb side of the wrist, just below the base of the thumb — Correct answer
- On the little-finger side of the wrist
- In the bend of the elbow
- On the side of the neck
Explanation: The radial artery is felt on the thumb side of the wrist, just below the base of the thumb. (Source: NNAAP radial pulse checklist; NCBI Bookshelf Nursing Skills, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593195/)
Handbook: Skills: Vital Signs & Measurements — Counts and records radial pulse
Which fingers should you use to feel the radial pulse?
- Two or three fingertips (not the thumb) — Correct answer
- The thumb only
- The palm of your hand
- The back of your hand
Explanation: Use two or three fingertips; do not use your thumb, which has its own pulse and can give a false count. (Source: NNAAP radial pulse checklist; The CNA Guide, https://thecnaguide.com/cna-study-guide/cna-skills-checklist/)
Handbook: Skills: Vital Signs & Measurements — Counts and records radial pulse
For how long should you count the radial pulse on the NNAAP skill?
- One full minute (60 seconds) — Correct answer
- 10 seconds and multiply by 6
- 5 seconds
- Until you feel three beats
Explanation: Count the radial pulse for one full minute (60 seconds) for an accurate rate. (Source: NNAAP radial pulse checklist; NCBI Bookshelf Nursing Skills, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593195/)
Handbook: Skills: Vital Signs & Measurements — Counts and records radial pulse