Free New Jersey CNA Exam Flashcards

The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program format New Jersey uses for CNA certification - a written/oral knowledge test plus a hands-on evaluation of 5 randomly selected clinical skills.

The NJ Department of Health database verifying CNA certification status. Employers check it before hiring; abuse or neglect findings are recorded and can prevent certification or employment.

NJ requires at least 90 hours of state-approved training - more than the federal OBRA 75-hour minimum - combining classroom theory, skills lab, and supervised clinical practice before testing.

You have up to 24 months after completing approved training to pass both the written/oral exam and the skills evaluation, within a limited number of attempts, or you must retrain.

A key action that must be performed correctly for a skill to pass. Missing one critical step fails that entire skill even if everything else is done right - hand hygiene is almost always tested.

Certification renews every 2 years and requires documented paid nursing-related work under a licensed nurse during the period. Without qualifying work you generally must retest or retrain.

Self-care tasks: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and eating. The CNA assists only as needed and promotes the resident's remaining independence.

Put clothing on the weak/affected limb FIRST and take it off that limb LAST. This avoids forcing the impaired arm or leg through clothing and reduces pain and injury.

Clean from front to back, cleanest area to dirtiest, using a new section of the cloth for each stroke. This prevents transferring bacteria toward the urethra and causing UTIs.

Test water temperature before bathing - around 105°F is a typical safe target. Older residents have thinner skin and reduced sensation, raising burn risk; always confirm comfort.

Handle dentures over a towel or basin of water to prevent breakage if dropped, clean with cool water (hot water warps them), and store in labeled water or solution when not worn.

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.

Count respirations without telling the resident, ideally right after taking the pulse while still holding the wrist. Awareness changes breathing rate. Count for a full minute if irregular.

Use a properly sized cuff, support the arm at heart level, and let the resident rest first. Report readings at or above 140/90 or any large change from baseline.

Recorded measurement of all fluid in (oral, IV, tube) and out (urine, emesis, drainage) in mL. Large imbalances suggest dehydration or fluid overload and must be reported.

Immediately for any change of condition - fall, chest pain, confusion, abnormal vitals, skin breakdown, or refusal to eat. CNAs report and document facts but do not diagnose.

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

Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, friction on all surfaces, fingertips down, using a clean paper towel to turn off the faucet. Use soap/water when hands are visibly soiled.

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

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

Hold soiled linen away from your uniform, never shake it (spreads microorganisms), roll the dirtiest part inward, and place it directly in the proper hamper - never on the floor.

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

A resident may 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.

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

An independent advocate that investigates complaints and protects the rights of residents in NJ long-term care facilities. Residents have the right to contact the ombudsman privately.

Abuse may be physical, verbal, sexual, financial, or neglect. Signs: unexplained bruises, fear, withdrawal, weight loss. CNAs are mandated reporters and must report suspicions immediately.

Bend at the knees and hips, keep the back straight, hold the load close, use a wide stance, and push/pull rather than lift. Get help or a mechanical lift for heavy transfers.

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

Keep the bed low and locked, call light within reach, nonslip footwear, clear pathways, adequate lighting, and answer call lights promptly. Most falls are preventable.

Restraints require a provider order, are a last resort, and demand frequent checks, repositioning, and release with ROM. They can cause injury and decline; always try alternatives first.

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

Reposition bedbound residents at least every 2 hours and chair-bound residents about every hour. Keep skin clean and dry; report any reddened area that does not blanch.

Head of bed elevated 45-60° (high Fowler's up to 90°). Used during meals and for breathing difficulty; helps prevent aspiration when eating.

Use a gait belt, walk slightly behind and to the weak side, match the resident's pace, and lower them safely to the floor (protecting their head) if they begin to fall.

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 a joint.

Help residents regain or keep maximum independence and function through ROM, ambulation, and bowel/bladder training while preventing complications such as contractures.

A permanent muscle/joint shortening from disuse causing deformity. Prevented by routine ROM, proper positioning, splints as ordered, and keeping joints active.

Encourage residents to do as much as they safely can, allow extra time, use assistive devices, and offer praise. Doing tasks for capable residents causes decline and loss of dignity.

Use open-ended questions, active listening, eye contact, and silence. Avoid false reassurance, giving advice, or changing the subject. Allow the resident time to respond.

Use simple questions, allow extra time, offer yes/no choices or picture boards, do not rush or finish sentences, and verify understanding. Stay calm and patient.

Record care after it is performed, factually and objectively, using approved terms. Correct an error with a single line and initials; never erase, backdate, or chart in advance.

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.

Worsening confusion and restlessness in the late afternoon and evening, common in dementia. Manage with consistent routines, calming activities, and increased lighting before dusk.

Withdrawal, loss of interest, appetite or sleep changes, fatigue, and statements of hopelessness. The CNA observes and reports these to the nurse and offers support and engagement.

Provide comfort, dignity, and presence; respect spiritual, religious, and cultural practices; allow the family privacy; and continue to speak to the resident even if unresponsive.

Sit the resident upright at 90°, give small bites, alternate food and liquids, allow time to swallow, and keep them upright 30+ minutes after eating. Stop and report coughing.

Dry mouth and skin, dark scanty urine, confusion, dizziness, and low fluid intake. Encourage fluids per the care plan, track I&O, and report concerns to the nurse promptly.

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

Use a graduated container at eye level on a flat surface, record the amount in mL, and report output under about 30 mL/hour or sudden changes to the nurse.

Provide a regular toileting schedule, privacy, adequate time, fluids, and fiber; respond to call lights quickly. Never scold a resident for incontinence - it harms dignity.