Maryland CNA Exam Flashcards

Q: What does the Maryland CNA/GNA flashcard set cover?

This set covers the local Maryland rules candidates commonly confuse with general CNA content, plus NNAAP-style domains: activities of daily living, basic nursing skills, resident rights, communication, psychosocial care, restorative care, infection control, and safety.

Q: How is the Maryland CNA exam structured?

Maryland uses the Credentia NNAAP format. Candidates take a knowledge exam, with a written or oral option, and a separate skills evaluation where five randomly selected skills are performed for a nurse evaluator.

Q: Why does the passing-score field avoid a raw percentage?

Local project sources disagree on a simple raw passing percentage, while Credentia's Maryland handbook emphasizes that candidates must pass both the knowledge exam and the skills evaluation. The safer study target is to master both parts rather than rely on a raw cut-score shortcut.

Q: What happens after multiple Maryland CNA exam failures?

Credentia's Maryland score-reporting guidance says candidates are permitted three attempts within the two years after completing training. After failing either part three times, the candidate must successfully complete state-approved retraining and then retake both parts.

Question 1

Who oversees Maryland CNA/GNA certification?

Accepted Answer

The Maryland Board of Nursing regulates nursing assistant certification, while Credentia administers the Maryland NNAAP testing process. Know both names: MBON controls the credential; Credentia runs the exam.

Question 2

What is the Maryland CNA exam format?

Accepted Answer

Maryland candidates complete a knowledge exam and a skills evaluation. The knowledge test checks nurse aide concepts; the skills test checks safe step-by-step performance of assigned care tasks.

Question 3

What is the difference between CNA and GNA in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

CNA is the general Maryland nursing assistant certification. GNA is the geriatric designation needed for nursing home work, so Maryland candidates should understand both labels even though the testing path overlaps.

Question 4

What does Maryland's 120-day GNA rule mean?

Accepted Answer

A nurse aide hired by a Maryland comprehensive care facility must complete the required GNA pathway within the allowed hire window. The consequence is employment-related: nursing homes need the GNA status, not just general interest in CNA work.

Question 5

What must happen before a Maryland candidate can test?

Accepted Answer

The candidate must complete a Maryland Board of Nursing-approved nursing assistant training program. Flashcards help review, but they do not replace the required approved training pathway.

Question 6

How does Maryland CNA/GNA renewal affect study priorities?

Accepted Answer

Certification is not a one-time event. Maryland renewal depends on maintaining eligibility, including work-related requirements, so registry status and renewal rules matter as much as passing the initial exam.

Question 7

What is the core CNA scope rule?

Accepted Answer

A CNA provides delegated basic care and reports observations. Assessment, diagnosis, care-plan creation, medication decisions, and treatment changes belong to licensed nursing staff or providers.

Question 8

What should a CNA do with an assignment outside scope?

Accepted Answer

Decline the unsafe task respectfully and report it to the nurse. Performing a task outside scope can harm the resident and can also put the CNA's certification at risk.

Question 9

Who assesses and changes the resident care plan?

Accepted Answer

The nurse assesses, plans, and updates care. The CNA follows the care plan and reports changes that may require the nurse to reassess.

Question 10

What resident changes require prompt reporting?

Accepted Answer

Report sudden pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, falls, new confusion, bleeding, abnormal vital signs, skin breakdown, choking, or major behavior changes. The CNA observes; the nurse decides the clinical response.

Question 11

Objective vs subjective documentation

Accepted Answer

Objective information is observed or measured, such as pulse rate or drainage color. Subjective information is what the resident says. Chart facts clearly and avoid opinions, blame, or diagnosis.

Question 12

What does HIPAA require during CNA work?

Accepted Answer

Share resident information only with staff who need it for care, and only in appropriate settings. Gossip, hallway discussions, social media posts, and unnecessary disclosures violate privacy.

Question 13

What if a resident refuses care?

Accepted Answer

Respect the refusal, try to understand the concern, and report it to the nurse. Forcing care violates resident rights; ignoring the refusal without reporting can also be unsafe.

Question 14

How should privacy be protected during personal care?

Accepted Answer

Close doors or curtains, keep the resident covered, expose only the area being washed or dressed, and explain what you are doing. Privacy is a resident right, not a courtesy extra.

Question 15

What should a CNA do about suspected abuse or neglect?

Accepted Answer

Report suspicion immediately through the facility's required chain, usually to the nurse or supervisor. CNAs do not investigate or confront; they protect the resident by reporting promptly.

Question 16

What if a resident is found on the floor?

Accepted Answer

Call for help and stay with the resident. Do not move the resident until the nurse assesses for injury unless there is immediate danger, because moving can worsen an unseen injury.

Question 17

When are restraints appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Only when ordered and care-planned by licensed staff, with required monitoring. A CNA cannot use restraints for convenience, punishment, staffing problems, or to make care easier.

Question 18

What is the first safety check before leaving a resident?

Accepted Answer

Make sure the call light and needed items are within reach, the bed is low and locked, and the resident is positioned safely. These basics prevent falls and unmet needs.

Question 19

When should hand hygiene be performed?

Accepted Answer

Perform hand hygiene before and after resident contact, after removing gloves, after contact with body fluids, before clean tasks, after dirty tasks, and whenever moving from contaminated to clean care.

Question 20

When is soap and water preferred over sanitizer?

Accepted Answer

Use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled and for organisms such as C. difficile. Alcohol sanitizer is useful only when hands are not visibly dirty and the organism is appropriate.

Question 21

What are standard precautions?

Accepted Answer

Standard precautions apply to every resident. Treat blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, use hand hygiene, wear PPE when exposure is possible, and handle sharps and linens safely.

Question 22

Contact vs droplet precautions

Accepted Answer

Contact precautions focus on touch and contaminated surfaces, so gown and gloves are central. Droplet precautions focus on respiratory droplets during close care, so a mask is key.

Question 23

What makes airborne precautions different?

Accepted Answer

Airborne precautions are for tiny particles that remain suspended and travel farther. They require special room controls and respiratory protection beyond a routine surgical mask.

Question 24

Why does PPE removal order matter?

Accepted Answer

The dirtiest items should come off first so contamination does not spread to skin, clothing, or clean surfaces. Hand hygiene after PPE removal closes the safety loop.

Question 25

What is the safe order for a bed bath?

Accepted Answer

Work from clean areas toward dirtier areas, keeping the resident covered between steps. This protects dignity and reduces the chance of carrying organisms from contaminated areas to cleaner skin.

Question 26

How is perineal care performed safely?

Accepted Answer

Clean from front to back, use clean areas of the washcloth, and change supplies when contaminated. The goal is to prevent organisms from being moved toward the urinary tract.

Question 27

How should oral care be given to an unconscious resident?

Accepted Answer

Position the resident on the side with the head turned so fluid can drain. This protects the airway; lying flat increases aspiration risk.

Question 28

What is the CNA rule for diabetic foot and nail care?

Accepted Answer

Inspect, clean, dry, and report problems, but do not cut diabetic toenails. Small cuts can become serious because diabetes can impair circulation and sensation.

Question 29

Which side is dressed first after a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Dress the weaker or affected side first and undress the stronger side first. This reduces pulling, pain, and injury because the stronger side can help more with the final movement.

Question 30

What is safe denture care?

Accepted Answer

Handle dentures over a towel-lined basin, brush them gently, rinse as directed, and store them safely. The towel reduces breakage if they slip.

Question 31

How can a CNA reduce aspiration risk while feeding?

Accepted Answer

Seat the resident upright, offer small bites, allow time to swallow, follow the care plan, and stop if coughing, choking, wet voice, or distress appears. Report swallowing problems promptly.

Question 32

Why do thickened liquids matter?

Accepted Answer

Thickened liquids slow the flow of fluid for residents with dysphagia. Giving thin liquids against the care plan can lead to choking or aspiration.

Question 33

What counts as intake and output?

Accepted Answer

Intake includes fluids taken by mouth and other ordered liquid sources. Output includes urine, emesis, drainage, and other measurable fluid losses. Accurate I&O helps the nurse judge hydration and fluid balance.

Question 34

What should a CNA do after elimination care?

Accepted Answer

Provide privacy, clean the resident, dispose of waste safely, remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, and report abnormal stool, urine, pain, blood, or difficulty. Elimination changes can signal illness.

Question 35

How should respirations be counted?

Accepted Answer

Count respirations without making the resident overly aware, because people may change breathing when watched. Assess rate, rhythm, effort, and unusual sounds or shortness of breath.

Question 36

What does a CNA assess when taking a pulse?

Accepted Answer

Assess rate, rhythm, and strength as trained. Irregular, very weak, very fast, very slow, or unexpectedly changed pulses should be reported to the nurse.

Question 37

What do systolic and diastolic blood pressure mean?

Accepted Answer

Systolic is the pressure when the heart contracts. Diastolic is the pressure when the heart rests between beats. Both matter because abnormal readings can signal cardiovascular or fluid problems.

Question 38

How is an adult ear positioned for tympanic temperature?

Accepted Answer

For an adult, gently pull the ear up and back to help straighten the ear canal. The goal is correct probe alignment, not force.

Question 39

What should a CNA do with an abnormal vital sign?

Accepted Answer

Recheck if appropriate, make sure the measurement was taken correctly, and report the finding to the nurse. Do not diagnose or decide that an abnormal value is unimportant.

Question 40

What is the safest transfer setup?

Accepted Answer

Explain the move, lock bed and wheelchair brakes, place the resident's footwear, use the gait belt if care-planned, count before moving, and keep the resident close to your center of gravity.

Question 41

Why is a gait belt used?

Accepted Answer

A gait belt gives the caregiver a secure handhold during transfers or ambulation. It is not used to lift by force, restrain the resident, or replace proper body mechanics.

Question 42

How should a cane or walker be used safely?

Accepted Answer

Assistive devices must match the care plan and resident ability. A cane usually supports the weaker side from the stronger hand; a walker moves first, then the resident steps into it.

Question 43

What is the CNA goal during range-of-motion exercises?

Accepted Answer

Move joints gently through the allowed range and stop for pain, resistance, or unusual change. ROM maintains mobility, but forcing a joint can injure the resident.

Question 44

How does repositioning prevent pressure injury?

Accepted Answer

Repositioning relieves pressure, protects bony areas, and supports circulation. Report redness, open areas, pain, or skin that does not return to normal after pressure relief.

Question 45

Fowler's vs lateral position

Accepted Answer

Fowler's means the head of the bed is elevated, often for breathing or eating. Lateral means side-lying, often used for pressure relief or safer drainage during certain care.

Question 46

What are basic body mechanics for CNA work?

Accepted Answer

Use a wide base of support, bend at the knees, keep the load close, face the direction of movement, and avoid twisting. Good mechanics protect both CNA and resident.

Question 47

How should a CNA communicate with a resident with dementia?

Accepted Answer

Use calm tone, short statements, reassurance, and redirection. Arguing about reality usually increases distress; safety and emotional comfort come first.

Question 48

How should a CNA support a resident with aphasia?

Accepted Answer

Use simple sentences, allow extra time, offer communication aids if available, and avoid pretending to understand. Aphasia affects communication, not necessarily intelligence.

Question 49

What does culturally respectful care require?

Accepted Answer

Ask about preferences, avoid assumptions, protect privacy, and follow the care plan. Culture, religion, diet, modesty, and end-of-life practices can all affect daily care.

Question 50

What is the restorative-care goal?

Accepted Answer

Help the resident do as much as safely possible rather than doing everything for them. Restorative care protects independence, dignity, mobility, and confidence.

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