Free Illinois CNA Exam Flashcards

The Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam - Illinois's own state CNA test administered by SIUC for IDPH, not the national Prometric NNAAP. It has an 85-question written portion plus a hands-on clinical skills evaluation.

The IDPH-maintained database that verifies CNA status in Illinois. You are listed about 2 weeks after passing the INACE. Employers check it before hiring; abuse/neglect findings are flagged here.

The IDPH-approved training you must complete before testing. Illinois follows the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours (Title 77, Part 395), combining classroom and supervised clinical hours.

If you go 24+ consecutive months without qualifying nurse aide work, your certification lapses. If in good standing, you recertify by competency testing only - no retraining required.

Under 210 ILCS 30, CNAs must immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the charge nurse/supervisor; the facility reports to IDPH. Failure to report is a legal violation.

Basic self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and eating. CNAs assist only as needed to preserve resident independence - never do for residents what they can do themselves.

Dress the weak/affected side FIRST and undress it LAST. This avoids forcing the impaired limb through clothing and reduces pain and injury risk.

Always clean from front to back (cleanest to dirtiest) to prevent moving bacteria from the rectal area toward the urethra, which causes urinary tract infections. Use a clean section of the cloth for each stroke.

Check bath water before use - roughly 105°F (about 41°C) is a typical safe range. Always test temperature and ask the resident; aging skin and reduced sensation increase burn risk.

Turn the resident's head to the side and position them on their side to prevent aspiration. Use minimal fluid and a swab; never insert objects between clenched teeth.

Temperature ~97-99°F oral, pulse 60-100 bpm, respirations 12-20/min, blood pressure under 120/80. Report values outside these ranges to the nurse.

Objective data is measurable and observed (BP 150/90, redness, refused meal). Subjective data is what the resident states ('I feel dizzy'). CNAs report both accurately but do not interpret or diagnose.

Immediately. Any new or worsening sign - chest pain, confusion, fall, skin breakdown, refusal to eat, abnormal vitals - must be reported to the nurse right away, not at end of shift.

Listen with a stethoscope at the apex of the heart for a FULL 60 seconds. Used for irregular rhythms or before certain cardiac medications - more accurate than a radial pulse.

Measured record of all fluids taken in (oral, IV, tube) and put out (urine, emesis, drainage). Reported in mL. Significant imbalance signals dehydration or fluid overload and must be reported.

Infection control used for ALL residents regardless of diagnosis. Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious: hand hygiene, gloves, and other PPE whenever contact is anticipated.

Hand hygiene. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use soap and water (not alcohol gel) when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a resident with C. diff.

Don: gown, mask, goggles, gloves. Remove: gloves, goggles, gown, mask (gloves are dirtiest and come off first). Hand hygiene follows removal.

Medical asepsis (clean technique) reduces the number of microorganisms - routine CNA care. Surgical asepsis (sterile technique) eliminates all microorganisms - used for invasive procedures by licensed staff.

Airborne (TB, measles, varicella): negative-pressure room + N95. Droplet (influenza, pertussis): private room + surgical mask within ~6 ft. Contact (C. diff, MRSA): gown + gloves, dedicated equipment.

Federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act establishing nursing home resident rights, the 75-hour training minimum, and competency testing for nurse aides. Illinois resident rights derive from OBRA.

Illinois law governing resident rights and protections in licensed nursing homes - dignity, privacy, freedom from abuse, grievance procedures, and participation in care planning.

Residents may refuse any treatment or care. The CNA stops, does not argue or force, and reports the refusal to the nurse so it can be documented and addressed.

Knock before entering, close doors and curtains, drape during care, expose only the body area being worked on, and keep personal/health information confidential (HIPAA).

Physical, verbal/psychological, sexual, financial/material exploitation, and neglect (including involuntary seclusion). Unexplained bruises, fear, or sudden behavior change are warning signs.

Bend at the knees and hips (not the waist), keep the back straight, hold the load close to your body, and use a wide base of support. Push or pull rather than lift when possible.

Rescue residents in danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors/windows, Extinguish or Evacuate. Rescue always comes first.

Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side. Used only on small, contained fires after residents are safe.

Keep the bed in the lowest position, lock wheels before transfers, ensure call light is in reach, use nonslip footwear, keep pathways clear, and answer call lights promptly.

Restraints are a last resort, require a provider order, and can cause injury, depression, and loss of mobility. Always try alternatives (toileting schedules, activity, repositioning) first.

Apply the gait/transfer belt over clothing at the waist, grip underhand from below, transfer toward the resident's strong side, and block their knees with yours to prevent buckling.

Turning a resident as one unit while keeping the spine straight, used after spinal injury or surgery. Requires two or more staff and a draw sheet to move head, trunk, and legs together.

Head of bed raised 45-60° (high Fowler's up to 90°). Used for breathing difficulty, eating, and to reduce aspiration risk during and after meals.

Reposition at least every 2 hours to prevent pressure injuries. Bony prominences (sacrum, heels, hips) need pressure relief; report any reddened area that does not fade.

Active ROM: the resident moves the joint themselves. Passive ROM: the CNA moves the joint for a resident who cannot. Move slowly to just before the point of pain; never force.

To help residents regain or maintain the highest level of function and independence - ambulation programs, ROM, bladder/bowel training - and to prevent complications like contractures.

Permanent shortening and tightening of a muscle or joint from disuse, leading to deformity and loss of motion. Prevented by ROM exercises, proper positioning, and regular activity.

The resident holds a cane on the strong side and advances the cane and weak leg together. Stand on the weak side to assist. A walker must have all legs on the ground before stepping.

Face the resident at eye level, reduce background noise, speak clearly at a normal pace, use short sentences, and confirm understanding. Do not shout - it distorts speech.

A structured report format: Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation. CNAs use the Situation and Background portions to report observations clearly to the nurse.

Chart only what you did and observed, factually and promptly, after care is given (never before). Correct errors with a single line and initials - do not erase or use white-out.

Use open-ended questions, active listening, silence, and reflection. Avoid false reassurance ('Everything will be fine'), giving advice, or changing the subject.

Stay calm, approach from the front, use a soft voice, remove triggers, and redirect to a familiar activity. Do not argue or correct delusions - validate feelings and ensure safety.

Increased confusion, agitation, and restlessness in the late afternoon or evening, common in dementia. Reduce noise, increase lighting before dusk, and maintain a consistent routine.

Signs include withdrawal, appetite or sleep changes, loss of interest, fatigue, and expressions of hopelessness. CNAs observe and report these to the nurse - they do not diagnose or counsel.

Respect dietary, religious, and cultural practices; allow privacy for prayer; do not impose personal beliefs. Accommodate preferences within the care plan whenever possible.

Position the resident upright at 90°, give small bites, alternate solids and liquids, allow time to chew/swallow, and keep them upright 30+ minutes after eating. Stop and report any coughing or choking.

Dry mouth, dark concentrated urine, low output, dry skin, confusion, and dizziness. CNAs encourage fluids per the care plan, monitor I&O, and report concerns to the nurse.

Keep the drainage bag below bladder level, secure tubing without kinks, never let the bag touch the floor, and provide perineal care. Report cloudy urine, leakage, or no output.

Offer regular toileting schedules, provide privacy and adequate time, encourage fluids and fiber, and respond to call lights quickly. Never scold a resident for incontinence.