Kansas CNA Exam Flashcards

Q: Who administers the Kansas CNA competency exam?

Kansas nurse aide testing is overseen by KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing through approved training and test sites under K.A.R. 26-50 - not Prometric or Credentia. The state test is 100 multiple-choice questions with a 75% passing score and a nonrefundable $20 state test application fee.

Q: Why is the Kansas CNA passing score 75% instead of 70%?

Kansas sets its written passing standard at 75% (75 of 100 questions correct) under K.A.R. 26-50, which is higher than the roughly 70% standard used in most other states. You must also pass the skills test.

Q: How many training hours does Kansas require for a CNA?

Kansas requires a minimum of 90 hours of KDADS-approved training (typically 60+ classroom/lab plus 30+ supervised clinical), exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours, before you can take the state competency exam.

Q: What is Kansas Trainee II status?

Trainee II status lets a student enrolled in a KDADS-approved program work as a nurse aide for up to 4 months from the date training began, under supervision, before passing the competency exam. It expires if not converted to full certification within that window.

Q: What is the Kansas Medication Aide (CMA) pathway?

Kansas offers a Medication Aide certification that lets active Kansas CNAs complete additional KDADS-approved training to administer routine oral, topical, and inhaled medications under nurse supervision. CMAs may not give IV medications or most controlled substances.

Q: How does Kansas CNA reciprocity work?

Out-of-state CNAs seeking Kansas certification through reciprocity must pass the written portion of the Kansas competency exam, with only one attempt allowed. Applicants must have no abuse, neglect, or misappropriation findings on any state registry.

Question 1

KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing

Accepted Answer

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services unit that oversees CNA testing and the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry - not Prometric, Credentia, or the Kansas Board of Nursing.

Question 2

K.A.R. 26-50

Accepted Answer

The Kansas Administrative Regulation governing nurse aides: scope of practice, the 90-hour training requirement, the 100-question/75% state test, and the 3-attempt/12-month rule.

Question 3

Kansas CNA written exam format

Accepted Answer

100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, school-administered at KDADS-approved test sites. Passing is 75/100 (75%) - higher than the ~70% used by most states.

Question 4

Kansas 3-attempt rule

Accepted Answer

Course completers have no more than 3 attempts within 12 months of the course start date to pass. After exhausting attempts they must retrain in a 90-hour KDADS-approved program.

Question 5

Trainee II status

Accepted Answer

Allows a student in a KDADS-approved program to work as a nurse aide for up to 4 months from the start of training, before passing the exam. It expires if not converted to full certification.

Question 6

Kansas Medication Aide (CMA)

Accepted Answer

A Kansas pathway letting active CNAs complete extra KDADS-approved training to administer routine oral, topical, and inhaled medications under nurse supervision. No IV or most controlled substances.

Question 7

Kansas CNA renewal

Accepted Answer

Certification renews every 2 years with at least 8 hours of paid nurse aide work in the period and no renewal fee. Two+ years without work requires a Kansas-approved refresher course.

Question 8

K.S.A. 39-1401 (Kansas mandatory reporting)

Accepted Answer

Kansas law making all facility staff mandatory reporters of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents. Failure to report is a legal violation.

Question 9

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Accepted Answer

Self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and eating. The CNA assists only as needed and preserves resident independence.

Question 10

Dressing a resident with a weak side

Accepted Answer

Dress the weak/affected limb FIRST and undress it LAST so the impaired limb is not forced through clothing, reducing pain and injury.

Question 11

Perineal care direction

Accepted Answer

Clean front to back, cleanest to dirtiest, with a fresh section of cloth per stroke. Prevents moving bacteria toward the urethra and causing urinary tract infections.

Question 12

Safe bath water temperature

Accepted Answer

Test water before bathing; about 105°F is a typical safe target. Aging skin and reduced sensation increase scald risk - always confirm the resident's comfort.

Question 13

Foot care for a resident with diabetes

Accepted Answer

Wash and dry thoroughly (especially between toes), inspect for cuts/redness, apply lotion (not between toes), and never cut toenails - report any wound. CNAs do not trim diabetic nails.

Question 14

Normal adult vital sign ranges

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Objective vs. subjective data

Accepted Answer

Objective: measurable/observed (BP 160/95, swelling). Subjective: what the resident reports ('I feel weak'). CNAs document both factually but never interpret or diagnose.

Question 16

Counting respirations

Accepted Answer

Count without the resident's awareness (do it right after the pulse while holding the wrist). Awareness alters the rate. Count a full minute if breathing is irregular.

Question 17

Intake and Output (I&O)

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

When to report a change of condition

Accepted Answer

Immediately - any new or worsening sign such as a fall, chest pain, confusion, abnormal vitals, or refusal to eat goes to the nurse right away, not at end of shift.

Question 19

Standard Precautions

Accepted Answer

Infection control used for ALL residents regardless of diagnosis. Treat all blood and body fluids as infectious; use hand hygiene and PPE whenever exposure is anticipated.

Question 20

Best way to prevent infection spread

Accepted Answer

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

Question 21

Donning and doffing PPE order

Accepted Answer

Put on: gown, mask, goggles, gloves. Take off: gloves (dirtiest) first, then goggles, gown, mask, followed by hand hygiene.

Question 22

Medical vs. surgical asepsis

Accepted Answer

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

Question 23

Transmission-based precautions

Accepted Answer

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

Question 24

OBRA 1987 resident rights

Accepted Answer

Federal law guaranteeing nursing home residents dignity, privacy, freedom from abuse and unnecessary restraints, the right to refuse care, and to voice grievances.

Question 25

Right to refuse care

Accepted Answer

A resident can refuse any treatment. The CNA does not force or argue, respects the choice, and reports the refusal to the nurse for documentation and follow-up.

Question 26

Privacy and confidentiality

Accepted Answer

Knock before entering, close doors/curtains, drape during care, and protect resident information under HIPAA - share only with the care team on a need-to-know basis.

Question 27

Recognizing abuse and neglect

Accepted Answer

Types: physical, verbal/psychological, sexual, financial, and neglect. Warning signs: unexplained bruises, fear, withdrawal, weight loss, poor hygiene. Report suspicions immediately.

Question 28

Freedom from restraints

Accepted Answer

Restraints require a provider order, are a last resort, and need frequent monitoring, repositioning, and release. They can cause injury, decline, and loss of dignity - try alternatives first.

Question 29

Proper body mechanics

Accepted Answer

Bend at knees and hips with a straight back, hold loads close, use a wide base of support, and push/pull rather than lift. Use help or a mechanical lift for heavy transfers.

Question 30

RACE fire response

Accepted Answer

Rescue residents in danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, Extinguish or Evacuate. Rescue (resident safety) always comes first.

Question 31

PASS (fire extinguisher)

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 32

Fall prevention

Accepted Answer

Keep the bed low and locked, call light in reach, nonslip footwear, clear and well-lit pathways, and prompt call-light response. Most falls in long-term care are preventable.

Question 33

Responding to a choking resident

Accepted Answer

If the resident cannot speak, cough, or breathe, call for help and begin abdominal thrusts (Heimlich). If they can cough forcefully, encourage coughing and stay with them.

Question 34

Transferring with a gait/transfer belt

Accepted Answer

Apply the belt over clothing at the waist, grasp underhand, move toward the resident's strong side, and brace their knees with yours to prevent buckling.

Question 35

Repositioning schedule

Accepted Answer

Reposition bedbound residents at least every 2 hours to prevent pressure injuries over bony prominences (sacrum, heels, hips). Report any non-blanching redness.

Question 36

Fowler's position

Accepted Answer

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

Question 37

Range of motion - active vs. passive

Accepted Answer

Active ROM: the resident moves the joint. Passive ROM: the CNA moves it for them. Support above and below the joint, move slowly to just before pain, and never force.

Question 38

Goal and benefit of restorative care

Accepted Answer

Help residents regain or maintain maximum independence through ROM, ambulation, and bladder/bowel training, while preventing complications like contractures and pressure injuries.

Question 39

Using a cane or walker safely

Accepted Answer

The resident holds a cane on the strong side and advances cane and weak leg together; stand on the weak side. A walker's legs must all be down before stepping.

Question 40

SBAR reporting

Accepted Answer

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

Question 41

CNA documentation rules

Accepted Answer

Chart only what you did and observed, factually and promptly after care. Correct an error with a single line and initials; never erase, backdate, or chart in advance.

Question 42

Therapeutic communication

Accepted Answer

Use open-ended questions, active listening, and silence; avoid false reassurance, advice-giving, and changing the subject. Give the resident time to respond.

Question 43

Communicating with a hearing-impaired resident

Accepted Answer

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

Question 44

Caring for a resident with dementia who is agitated

Accepted Answer

Approach calmly from the front, use a soft voice, remove triggers, simplify the environment, and redirect to a familiar activity. Do not argue with or correct delusions.

Question 45

Sundowning

Accepted Answer

Increased confusion and agitation in late afternoon/evening, common in dementia. Manage with consistent routines, calming activities, and brighter lighting before dusk.

Question 46

Kübler-Ross stages of grief

Accepted Answer

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. Stages are not always sequential. The CNA listens, supports, and respects the resident's individual grief process.

Question 47

Normal vs. pathological aging changes

Accepted Answer

Normal aging: slower reflexes, drier skin, some memory lag, reduced sensory acuity. Pathological: confusion, severe memory loss, depression - these are NOT normal and must be reported.

Question 48

Aspiration prevention during feeding

Accepted Answer

Position upright at 90°, give small bites, alternate solids and liquids, allow time to swallow, and keep upright 30+ minutes afterward. Stop and report any coughing or choking.

Question 49

Signs of dehydration

Accepted Answer

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

Question 50

Indwelling catheter care

Accepted Answer

Keep the drainage bag below bladder level and off the floor, prevent tubing kinks, secure tubing, and give perineal care. Report cloudy/bloody urine, leakage, or no output.

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