200+ Free Illinois CNA Practice Questions

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When giving a complete bed bath, the CNA should wash body areas in which sequence?

Perineal area, legs, abdomen, chest, arms, face

Face, neck, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, perineal area

Back, buttocks, perineal area, legs, chest, face

Legs, arms, chest, abdomen, face, perineal area

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Illinois CNA Exam

Written Questions

SIUC / INACE

90 min

Written Time Limit

SIUC / INACE

~70%

Written Passing Score

IDPH scaled score

75 hrs

Min. Training Required

IL Admin Code Title 77 Part 395 / federal OBRA

24 months

Lapse Period for Recertification

Illinois HCWR policy

2 weeks

Registry Posting Time

Illinois IDPH HCWR

Illinois uses its own state-specific exam — the INACE — not the national Prometric NNAAP used by most states. It is administered by SIUC and covers 85 questions in 90 minutes. After passing, your name is added to the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) within approximately 2 weeks. Illinois CNAs are subject to the Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46) and must comply with mandatory abuse reporting under the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act (210 ILCS 30). Lapsed CNAs (24+ consecutive months without qualifying work) can recertify by competency testing only if in good standing. Illinois CNA salaries average $33,000–$41,000 annually.

Sample Illinois CNA Practice Questions

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1When giving a complete bed bath, the CNA should wash body areas in which sequence?

A.Perineal area, legs, abdomen, chest, arms, face

B.Face, neck, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, perineal area

C.Back, buttocks, perineal area, legs, chest, face

D.Legs, arms, chest, abdomen, face, perineal area

Explanation: The correct sequence moves from the cleanest to the dirtiest area: face and neck first, then arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, and the perineal area last. This clean-to-dirty approach prevents transferring microorganisms from soiled areas to cleaner ones, which is a core principle of medical asepsis required under Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 Part 395.

2Before beginning a bed bath, the CNA should test the water temperature using which method?

A.Dip a fingertip briefly and estimate

B.Check that steam is rising from the basin

C.Use the inside of the wrist to confirm the water feels comfortably warm

D.Ask the resident to test the water with their hand

Explanation: The inner wrist is highly sensitive to temperature and provides an accurate check that bath water is comfortably warm — typically 105–115°F (40–46°C). Residents may have impaired temperature sensation due to age or illness, making their self-report unreliable. Visibly steaming water is dangerously hot and would cause burns.

3An Illinois nursing home resident refuses her morning bath. Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), what is the CNA's correct response?

A.Proceed with the bath anyway because hygiene is a care-plan requirement

B.Respect the refusal, document it, and report it to the charge nurse

C.Ask the family to convince the resident to accept the bath

D.Offer to reschedule the bath only if the resident provides a medical reason

Explanation: Under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), residents have the right to refuse treatment and personal care. The CNA must respect this decision, document the refusal accurately, and notify the charge nurse so the care team can address the resident's concerns. Forcing care without consent constitutes abuse under Illinois law and IDPH regulations.

4During a shower, an Illinois CNA notices a resident with limited mobility beginning to lose balance. What should the CNA do first?

A.Call for help loudly and wait for assistance to arrive

B.Immediately turn off the water so the floor is not slippery

C.Support the resident to prevent a fall and activate the call system or shout for help

D.Hand the resident a grab bar and step back to avoid getting wet

Explanation: The CNA's priority is resident safety. The first action is to support the resident physically to prevent a fall, then signal for help using the call bell or verbal alert. Leaving the resident unsupported or turning away to call for help first would increase fall risk. Illinois nursing facilities are required by IDPH to maintain safe care environments under IL Administrative Code Title 77 Part 395.

5When giving a partial bath, which body areas are considered the minimum that must be cleaned?

A.Face and hands only

B.Face, hands, axillae, perineal area, and any other areas causing discomfort or odor

C.Arms, legs, and back

D.Face, chest, and feet

Explanation: A partial bath must clean the face, hands, axillae (underarms), perineal area, and any additional areas that are soiled or malodorous. These areas are prioritized because they are most prone to bacterial growth, skin breakdown, and discomfort. IDPH-regulated facilities must meet each resident's hygiene needs as defined in the care plan.

6What is the correct water temperature to use when cleaning a resident's dentures?

A.Hot water to kill bacteria effectively

B.Cool or lukewarm water

C.Cold water only

D.Temperature does not matter as long as denture cleaner is used

Explanation: Dentures must be cleaned in cool or lukewarm water. Hot water can warp the acrylic material, causing the dentures to fit poorly and causing sores in the resident's mouth. Proper denture care is a daily care task required under Illinois facility standards governed by IDPH and IL Administrative Code Title 77 Part 395.

7When providing oral hygiene to an unconscious resident, the CNA should position the resident in which way to prevent aspiration?

A.Supine (flat on back) to allow easy access to the mouth

B.Side-lying (lateral) position with the head slightly lowered toward the mattress

C.Semi-Fowler's position with the head turned away from the CNA

D.High Fowler's position with the chin tucked down

Explanation: An unconscious resident has no gag reflex and cannot swallow or cough effectively, making aspiration a serious risk. The side-lying (lateral) position with the head tilted slightly downward allows excess fluid to drain out of the mouth by gravity rather than into the airway. This technique is essential for airway protection during oral care.

8A resident's care plan specifies routine oral hygiene after every meal. The resident tells the CNA she does not want to brush her teeth right now. What should the CNA do?

A.Perform the oral hygiene anyway since it is in the care plan

B.Skip it entirely and document nothing

C.Respect the refusal, offer to return later, document, and notify the nurse

D.Call the family to obtain consent before proceeding

Explanation: Residents retain the right to refuse care at any time under the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45) and Illinois Administrative Code Title 77 Part 395. The CNA should honor the refusal, offer to return at a more convenient time, document the refusal accurately, and report to the charge nurse. Forcing care without consent is a rights violation and may constitute abuse.

9When performing denture care, the CNA should place a washcloth or towel in the bottom of the sink basin. Why?

A.To keep the sink clean while rinsing dentures

B.To prevent dentures from cracking or breaking if dropped

C.To absorb excess denture cleanser

D.To prevent water from splashing onto the resident

Explanation: Dentures are brittle and will crack or shatter if dropped onto a hard porcelain or ceramic surface. Placing a washcloth or paper towels in the basin cushions any accidental drop. This protective practice is standard in CNAs' training programs that meet the 75-hour Illinois IDPH training requirement.

10During routine oral hygiene, the CNA notices a resident has new redness and swelling of the gums with bleeding when brushing. What is the most appropriate next action?

A.Continue brushing more gently and say nothing unless the resident complains

B.Stop oral care, report the findings to the nurse, and document observations

C.Rinse the mouth with mouthwash and consider the issue resolved

D.Assume it is normal and finish the oral care as usual

Explanation: Any new abnormal finding — redness, swelling, bleeding gums — must be reported to the nurse promptly. CNAs are not diagnosticians, but they are trained observers whose reports can identify infections, gum disease, or medication side effects early. Illinois-trained CNAs under Part 395 are required to report changes in resident condition through the nursing chain of command.

About the Illinois CNA Exam

The Illinois CNA exam is the INACE (Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam), administered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). It consists of an 85-question written test (90 minutes) and a clinical skills evaluation. Passing certifies you for the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR). Illinois requires completion of an IDPH-approved Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program (BNATP) under Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Part 395 (minimum 75 hours per federal OBRA requirements). The exam is available in computer-based and paper-based formats.

Questions

85 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes written + clinical skills evaluation

Passing Score

Scaled score per IDPH standard (~70%)

Exam Fee

Varies — contact SIUC Nurse Aide Testing at (877) 262-9259 (SIUC Nurse Aide Testing / Illinois IDPH)

Illinois CNA Exam Content Outline

39%

Physical Care Skills

Personal Care/ADLs (19%): bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, dressing, nutrition/feeding, elimination, perineal care. Basic Nursing (20%): vital signs, body mechanics, positioning, transfers, wound observation, data collection and reporting

Restorative Skills

Range of motion (passive/active), ambulation and assistive devices, restorative programs, self-care independence, prevention of complications such as contractures and pressure injuries

Psychosocial Care Skills

Dementia/Alzheimer's care, mental health basics (depression, anxiety in LTC), behavioral interventions, spiritual and cultural needs, cognitive impairment care under Illinois LTC regulations

10%

Role of the Nurse Aide

Illinois scope of practice, interdisciplinary care team, delegation from RN/LPN, ethics and professionalism, care planning participation, Illinois Administrative Code Part 395 requirements

11%

Infection Control

Hand hygiene (WHO 5 Moments), PPE donning/doffing, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions (contact/droplet/airborne), medical vs. surgical asepsis, isolation protocols in Illinois LTC

10%

Safety and Emergency

Fall prevention in Illinois nursing homes, fire safety (RACE/PASS), restraint-free/least-restraint policy, disaster preparedness, emergency response, resident safety in IDPH-licensed facilities

Communication

Therapeutic communication, reporting to charge nurse, SBAR, documentation in Illinois LTC, verbal and nonverbal communication, change-of-condition reporting

Resident Rights

OBRA 1987 resident rights, Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45), dignity/privacy/autonomy, advance directives, mandatory abuse and neglect reporting (210 ILCS 30), grievance procedures

How to Pass the Illinois CNA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Scaled score per IDPH standard (~70%)
Exam length: 85 questions
Time limit: 90 minutes written + clinical skills evaluation
Exam fee: Varies — contact SIUC Nurse Aide Testing at (877) 262-9259

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Illinois CNA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Know Illinois uses INACE — administered by SIUC, NOT Prometric; register at inace.nurseaidetesting.com

2Study the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45) — it governs resident rights in Illinois nursing homes and LTC facilities

3Memorize the Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46) — required for all Illinois CNAs before working in licensed facilities

4Know Illinois mandatory reporting law (210 ILCS 30): report suspected abuse IMMEDIATELY to charge nurse, facility reports to IDPH

5Review Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Part 395 — this governs CNA training program requirements in Illinois

6Understand the Illinois HCWR (Health Care Worker Registry): you are listed after passing INACE; employers verify your status here

7Know the recertification process: 24+ months without qualifying work = lapsed status, but testing-only recertification is available if in good standing

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Illinois CNA exam?

The Illinois Nurse Assistant Competency Exam (INACE) is administered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on behalf of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Unlike most states that use Prometric, Illinois has its own SIUC-administered exam system. You register online at inace.nurseaidetesting.com. After passing both the written (85 questions, 90 min) and clinical skills evaluation, your certification is added to the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR) within approximately 2 weeks.

What are Illinois CNA training requirements?

Illinois requires completion of an IDPH-approved Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program (BNATP). Illinois follows the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours of training under Illinois Administrative Code Title 77, Part 395. Programs include both classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Your program coordinator submits your eligibility to SIUC, then you can create an INACE account and schedule your exam.

What is the Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR)?

The Illinois Health Care Worker Registry (HCWR), maintained by IDPH, is the official database of CNAs and other health care workers in Illinois. After passing the INACE exam, you are listed on the HCWR. Employers use this registry to verify CNA status. Results are posted approximately 2 weeks after testing, viewable at hcwrpub.dph.illinois.gov. Findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation are also noted on the registry.

What are Illinois CNA background check requirements?

Under the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act (225 ILCS 46), all CNAs working in Illinois licensed and certified facilities must undergo a criminal background check. This includes fingerprinting and review of any criminal history. Certain disqualifying offenses prevent employment in Illinois health care facilities. Your training program or employer typically initiates the background check process.

How do I recertify as a lapsed Illinois CNA?

If you have not worked in nursing-related services for 24 consecutive months or more, your Illinois CNA certification is considered lapsed. If you are in good standing (no findings of abuse, neglect, or theft), you may recertify by competency testing only — you do not need to repeat training. Contact the SIUC Nurse Aide Testing Program at (877) 262-9259 or inat@siu.edu to start the recertification process.

How do I report abuse as an Illinois CNA?

Illinois CNAs are mandatory reporters under the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act (210 ILCS 30). You must immediately report any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to your charge nurse/supervisor. Facilities must report to IDPH. The Illinois Adult Protective Services Act (320 ILCS 20) also requires reporting of vulnerable adult abuse in community settings. A substantiated finding of abuse results in a notation on the Illinois HCWR.