200+ Free South Dakota CNA Practice Questions

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When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair in a South Dakota long-term care facility, the CNA should FIRST:

Lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair

Raise the bed to the highest position

Ask the resident to sit up independently

Lower the bed to the lowest position

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: South Dakota CNA Exam

$130-180

Exam Fee (SD)

Headmaster

Written Questions

Headmaster

75%

Written Passing Score

SD Board of Nursing

75 hrs

Min. Training Required

SD Board of Nursing

12 hrs/yr

Annual CE Required

SD Board of Nursing

24 months

Renewal Cycle

SD Board of Nursing

The South Dakota CNA exam is administered by Headmaster and costs $130-$180. SD requires a 75-hour minimum Board of Nursing-approved training program (59 hours classroom + 16 hours supervised clinical). The written test has 75 questions in 90 minutes with a 75% passing score. Basic Nursing Skills (35%) and Personal Care (22%) together make up 57% of the exam. Renewal every 24 months with 12 hours of continuing education annually. Reciprocity available for out-of-state CNAs with active certification in good standing.

Sample South Dakota CNA Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your South Dakota CNA exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When transferring a resident from bed to wheelchair in a South Dakota long-term care facility, the CNA should FIRST:

A.Lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair

B.Raise the bed to the highest position

C.Ask the resident to sit up independently

D.Lower the bed to the lowest position

Explanation: Safety is the priority when transferring residents. Before any transfer, the CNA must lock the wheels on both the bed and the wheelchair to prevent movement during the transfer. This prevents falls and injuries to both the resident and the CNA. The bed should be at a working height (not highest or lowest) to facilitate safe body mechanics during the transfer.

2A resident at a South Dakota nursing facility is using a walker. The CNA notices the walker tips forward when the resident leans on it. The CNA should:

A.Tell the resident to walk more slowly

B.Check that all four rubber tips are present and in good condition

C.Add a gait belt to the resident

D.Report the walker to maintenance next week

Explanation: Walker stability is critical for resident safety. Rubber tips on walker legs provide traction and stability. Missing or worn tips can cause the walker to slip, leading to falls. The CNA should immediately inspect and replace any missing or damaged tips. This is a basic safety check that CNAs are expected to perform in South Dakota facilities.

3During a fire emergency in a South Dakota nursing facility, the CNA should follow the RACE protocol. What does the "E" in RACE stand for?

A.Evacuate immediately without notifying anyone

B.Extinguish the fire using available equipment if safe to do so

C.Elevate all residents to the top floor

D.Exit through the nearest elevator

Explanation: RACE is the standard fire emergency protocol: R = Rescue/Remove persons from danger, A = Activate alarm/Alert others, C = Confine fire/Contain smoke (close doors), E = Extinguish/Evacuate. If the fire is small and the CNA has been trained in fire extinguisher use, they may attempt to extinguish it. Otherwise, evacuation is the priority. South Dakota regulations require annual fire safety training for all healthcare staff.

4A CNA in a South Dakota facility is preparing to ambulate a resident who has a history of orthostatic hypotension. The BEST approach is to:

A.Have the resident stand up quickly to build tolerance

B.Assist the resident to sit on the edge of the bed for several minutes before standing

C.Give the resident extra fluids and then ambulate immediately

D.Ambulate the resident only after medication administration

Explanation: Orthostatic hypotension causes dizziness when standing due to blood pressure dropping. Having the resident sit on the edge of the bed (dangling) for 2-3 minutes allows the circulatory system to adjust before standing. This prevents falls from dizziness. Quick standing can cause syncope (fainting) and injury.

5When applying a gait belt to a resident in a South Dakota nursing facility, the CNA should position the belt:

A.Around the resident's chest under the arms

B.Around the resident's waist over clothing, with room for two fingers

C.Around the resident's hips at the widest point

D.Directly against the resident's skin for better grip

Explanation: Gait belts should be placed around the resident's waist, over clothing (not against skin), and secured snugly enough that only two fingers can fit between the belt and the body. This provides adequate support without restricting breathing. The belt should never be placed around the chest or under the arms as this can cause injury.

6A resident in a South Dakota long-term care facility falls while the CNA is in the room. The CNA's FIRST action should be to:

A.Immediately lift the resident back to bed

B.Call for help and assess the resident for injuries

C.Document the fall in the chart

D.Notify the family immediately

Explanation: After a fall, the first priority is to assess for injuries before moving the resident. Moving an injured person can worsen injuries, especially fractures or spinal injuries. Call for help, stay with the resident, and assess for pain, bleeding, or altered consciousness. The nurse should be notified immediately after assessment.

7According to South Dakota Board of Nursing regulations, when using side rails on a resident's bed:

A.All four side rails should always be raised for safety

B.Side rails are considered a restraint if they prevent the resident from voluntarily getting out of bed

C.Side rails may be used without a physician order if the CNA determines they are needed

D.Side rails are prohibited in all South Dakota nursing facilities

Explanation: Side rails can be considered a restraint if they are used to restrict a resident's freedom of movement. Under OBRA regulations enforced by the South Dakota Board of Nursing, restraints require a physician order and must be the least restrictive alternative. The decision to use side rails must be individualized and documented.

8When oxygen is in use in a resident's room in a South Dakota facility, the CNA should ensure that:

A.The room door remains closed to contain the oxygen

B.No smoking or open flames are allowed in the room

C.Electric blankets are used to keep the resident warm

D.The oxygen tank is laid horizontally on the floor

Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, making fire a serious hazard. No smoking, open flames, or spark-producing devices should be near oxygen equipment. Electric blankets and other heat sources can create sparks. Oxygen tanks should be secured upright, not laid down. This is a critical safety requirement in all healthcare facilities.

9A South Dakota CNA is caring for a resident who speaks limited English. The BEST approach to communication is to:

A.Speak loudly and slowly in English

B.Use an interpreter or translation services as needed

C.Avoid communication until the resident learns more English

D.Use hand gestures only without attempting verbal communication

Explanation: Speaking loudly does not help someone who doesn't understand English. The appropriate response is to use professional interpretation services or approved translation materials. South Dakota facilities must provide language assistance to ensure effective communication and resident rights. Documentation should note the use of interpretation services.

10When receiving a change-of-shift report from the outgoing CNA in a South Dakota facility, the incoming CNA should:

A.Listen passively and refer to the written chart for details

B.Ask questions and verify important information about assigned residents

C.Interrupt frequently to share personal opinions about care

D.Skip the report if the residents appear stable

Explanation: Change-of-shift reports are essential for continuity of care. The incoming CNA should actively listen, ask clarifying questions, and verify important information about resident status, scheduled medications, treatments, and any changes in condition. This is a professional responsibility and part of effective team communication.

About the South Dakota CNA Exam

The South Dakota CNA exam certifies nurse aides to provide basic patient care in South Dakota. Administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) under the South Dakota Board of Nursing, it includes a 75-question written knowledge test and a clinical skills demonstration.

Questions

75 scored questions

Time Limit

90 min written + skills test

Passing Score

75% written + 100% skills

Exam Fee

$130-$180 (Headmaster (D&S) / South Dakota Board of Nursing)

South Dakota CNA Exam Content Outline

35%

Basic Nursing Skills

Vital signs, positioning, transfers, ROM exercises, skin care, elimination care, restorative care

22%

Personal Care Skills

Bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, hygiene, nutrition/hydration, feeding techniques

19%

Safety and Emergency

Fire safety, fall prevention, body mechanics, emergency response, disaster preparedness

15%

Infection Control

Hand hygiene, standard precautions, PPE use, isolation precautions, bloodborne pathogens

Role and Responsibility

Scope of practice, resident rights, legal/ethical behavior, abuse reporting, professionalism

How to Pass the South Dakota CNA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75% written + 100% skills
Exam length: 75 questions
Time limit: 90 min written + skills test
Exam fee: $130-$180

Keys to Passing

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

South Dakota CNA Study Tips from Top Performers

1South Dakota requires 75% to pass the written test — higher than the national 70% standard

2Schedule through Headmaster at hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/southdakota/

3Focus on Basic Nursing Skills (35%) and Personal Care (22%) — together 57% of the exam

4Safety and Emergency (19%) is a major section — study fire safety, fall prevention, and body mechanics

5SD requires 12 hours of annual continuing education — plan for this ongoing requirement

6Know mandatory abuse/neglect/exploitation reporting requirements for South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the South Dakota CNA exam?

South Dakota CNA exams are administered by Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) under the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Schedule through hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/southdakota/.

How much does the South Dakota CNA exam cost?

The South Dakota CNA exam costs $130-$180 depending on the testing site and components, paid through Headmaster.

What are the South Dakota CNA training requirements?

South Dakota requires a 75-hour minimum Board of Nursing-approved training program consisting of 59 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of supervised clinical practice.

What score do I need to pass the South Dakota CNA exam?

You need 75% on the written test and must pass all critical steps on the clinical skills test. South Dakota requires a higher passing score than many states that use 70%.

What are the South Dakota CNA renewal requirements?

South Dakota CNA certification renews every 24 months. You must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually to maintain your certification. Reciprocity is available for out-of-state CNAs with active certification in good standing.