Free CNA Practice Test
Communication Skills
22 NNAAP-style questions, one at a time — just like exam day. Score and full explanations at the end.
Free CNA practice test on communication skills — therapeutic communication, verbal and nonverbal cues, working with hearing- and vision-impaired residents, reporting, charting, and dealing with combative or aphasic residents. Communication is a heavily tested NNAAP block.
Need a refresher first? Read our free Communication & Interpersonal Skills study guide before taking the test.
Exam-simulator mode: picking an answer saves it and automatically moves you to the next question. You will not see right/wrong until you finish — just like the real NNAAP.
Question 1 of 22.Which is an example of a therapeutic, open-ended question?
Prefer to read? All 22 questions with answers
Which is an example of a therapeutic, open-ended question?
- Are you in pain?
- Did you sleep well?
- How are you feeling this morning? (correct answer)
- Do you want lunch?
Open-ended questions invite the resident to share more than a yes-or-no answer. They build trust and gather richer information. Close-ended questions are useful for specific facts but limit conversation.
A resident with hearing loss is having trouble understanding the CNA. The CNA should:
- Shout into the resident's ear
- Face the resident, speak slowly and clearly, lower the pitch slightly, and reduce background noise (correct answer)
- Talk faster
- Cover the mouth while speaking
Effective communication with hearing-impaired residents involves facing them, speaking slowly in a lower pitch (high frequencies are lost first), and reducing background noise — never shouting.
Which is an example of NONVERBAL communication?
- Saying 'good morning'
- A warm smile and gentle touch (correct answer)
- Reading a chart aloud
- Asking a question
Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, touch, body posture, and tone. It often communicates more than words and is vital with cognitively impaired residents.
Which is the BEST way to communicate with a resident who has aphasia?
- Avoid speaking to them
- Use simple yes-or-no questions, picture boards, and allow extra time for a response (correct answer)
- Speak loudly
- Finish their sentences
Aphasia after a stroke makes word-finding difficult. Use short sentences, yes-or-no questions, picture boards, and allow plenty of time. Never finish the resident's sentences or pretend to understand.
Subjective data is BEST defined as:
- What the CNA observes
- What the resident reports (correct answer)
- Lab results
- Vital sign measurements
Subjective data is what the resident states ('I feel dizzy'). Objective data is what the CNA can measure or observe (BP 90/60). Both belong in the chart.
Which charting entry is correct?
- Resident seems unhappy today
- Resident states 'I don't feel like getting up. Everything hurts.' Refused breakfast and AM care. Reported to nurse at 0815. (correct answer)
- She was kind of grumpy
- Did not want care
Documentation must be factual, specific, time-stamped, and free of opinion. Always quote the resident, record what was actually done, and document reporting to the nurse.
A visually impaired resident is being escorted in the hallway. The CNA should:
- Push the resident from behind
- Walk slightly ahead and allow the resident to hold the CNA's elbow (correct answer)
- Walk far behind
- Leave the resident at the door
For sighted-guide technique, the CNA walks half a step ahead while the resident holds the CNA's elbow. Describe surroundings, doorways, and stairs as you walk.
Which response to a depressed resident's comment 'I'm so lonely' is therapeutic?
- Cheer up, things will get better!
- Why are you lonely?
- Tell me more about how you're feeling. (correct answer)
- Everyone gets lonely sometimes.
Therapeutic communication validates and invites elaboration. 'Why' questions can feel accusatory, and reassurance ('cheer up') minimizes the resident's feelings.
Which information is the CNA REQUIRED to report to the nurse immediately?
- A resident's favorite TV show
- A sudden change in a resident's condition such as new chest pain or a fall (correct answer)
- A resident's preferred breakfast
- Normal vital signs
Any sudden change in condition — pain, falls, breathing difficulty, confusion, bleeding, refusal of care, or abnormal vital signs — must be reported immediately, not at the end of the shift.
Which is the BEST approach when a resident is angry and yelling at the CNA?
- Yell back
- Walk away and ignore them
- Stay calm, listen, do not argue, give them space, and report to the nurse (correct answer)
- Restrain the resident
De-escalation: stay calm, listen actively, do not argue, give the resident physical space, validate the feeling ('I can see you're frustrated'), and notify the nurse for follow-up.
Which factor can be a BARRIER to communication?
- Clear speech
- Cultural and language differences (correct answer)
- Eye contact
- Good lighting
Common barriers include language differences, cultural norms, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, fear, pain, and environmental noise. Awareness and adaptation reduce these barriers.
When using an interpreter for a non-English-speaking resident, the CNA should:
- Look at the interpreter while speaking
- Look at the resident and speak directly to them (correct answer)
- Use a family member whenever possible for accuracy
- Speak as fast as possible
Always face and speak directly to the resident, not the interpreter. Use a trained medical interpreter rather than family when possible — family may filter or be uncomfortable with sensitive topics.
Which is an example of giving 'false reassurance'?
- Telling a worried resident 'Everything will be fine' (correct answer)
- Saying 'I will let the nurse know about your concern'
- Sitting and listening
- Asking what is worrying them
False reassurance ('don't worry, it'll be fine') blocks communication because it dismisses the resident's feelings and may not be true. Therapeutic responses validate the concern and offer follow-up.
Verbal report at shift change should include:
- Personal opinions about the resident
- Pertinent changes in condition, abnormal vital signs, completed and pending care, and any concerns (correct answer)
- Coworker gossip
- Family drama unrelated to care
Shift handoff (sometimes done bedside) focuses on changes in condition, abnormal findings, pending and completed care, scheduled appointments, and any safety concerns.
A resident with dementia keeps asking 'Where is my mother?' The CNA should:
- Tell her sharply that her mother is dead
- Use validation therapy — acknowledge her feelings and redirect with reassurance and a calming activity (correct answer)
- Argue with her
- Ignore the question
Validation acknowledges the emotion (often anxiety or insecurity) rather than correcting the fact. Reorient gently, reassure, and redirect with a comforting activity or familiar object.
Which is the correct way to address a resident from a different culture?
- Assume your cultural norms are theirs
- Ask the resident their preferences for name, food, and personal care, and accommodate where possible (correct answer)
- Avoid the topic
- Speak loudly
Cultural competence means asking, listening, and individualizing care. Common areas of difference include diet, modesty during personal care, religious practices, and family decision-making roles.
Which method of communication is appropriate for a resident who is deaf and uses sign language?
- Speak loudly
- Use a qualified sign-language interpreter, write notes, and use visual cues (correct answer)
- Avoid eye contact
- Cover the mouth
Best practice is a qualified ASL interpreter or written notes plus visual cues. Always face the resident in good light so they can read facial expressions and any lip movements.
Which is the BEST example of active listening?
- Checking your phone while the resident talks
- Maintaining eye contact, nodding, paraphrasing what was said (correct answer)
- Interrupting
- Walking away
Active listening: face the resident, maintain comfortable eye contact, allow silence, paraphrase to confirm understanding, and avoid distractions. It is foundational to therapeutic relationships.
A resident's wife says she is being beaten by her husband. The CNA should:
- Confront the husband
- Listen, document, and report immediately to the nurse and appropriate authorities (correct answer)
- Tell other staff
- Wait until proof is available
Suspected abuse — even of a family member by another — must be listened to without judgment, documented factually, and reported up the chain immediately. CNAs are mandatory reporters in all states.
Touch can be a powerful communication tool but should be used:
- Only with permission and in a culturally appropriate way (correct answer)
- On every resident, every time
- Only by the nurse
- Never
Touch should be intentional, gentle, and culturally appropriate. Always announce yourself before touching and respect residents who prefer minimal physical contact.
Which is the correct way to document a refused medication?
- Pretend it was taken
- Record exactly what was refused, the time, the resident's quoted reason, and notification to the nurse (correct answer)
- Do nothing
- Document next shift
Document factually: what was refused, the time, the resident's quoted reason, and that the nurse was notified. Never chart anything that did not happen — this is fraud.
Which question opens the door to a richer conversation about pain?
- Are you hurting?
- Tell me about the pain — where is it, when did it start, and what makes it better or worse? (correct answer)
- You okay?
- Do you have pain?
Open-ended pain questions (location, onset, quality, duration, modifiers) gather richer data than yes/no questions. Always pass detailed pain reports to the nurse promptly.
FAQ: Communication Skills on the CNA Exam
How many communication skills questions are on the actual NNAAP exam?
The NNAAP written exam has 60 scored questions distributed across eight content areas. Communication Skills is one of the most heavily tested categories, with several questions appearing on every form of the exam. Drilling these questions repeatedly until you can explain why each correct answer is correct is the best way to lock in the material.
What should I do if I miss several questions on this communication skills practice test?
Re-read the corresponding free study guide (linked above and below) before retaking the test. Take notes on the exact concept you missed — for example, 'I confused contact and droplet precautions' — and review the explanations until the pattern is clear. Most students need 2 to 3 cycles of test, review, and retake before consistently scoring above 80%.
Are these questions identical to the real CNA exam?
No. The actual NNAAP, Prometric, Headmaster, and PSI exams are confidential and only the official testing vendors have access to live items. Our questions are written by us to mirror NNAAP style, difficulty, and content distribution based on the publicly available NNAAP content outline. Performing well here is a strong predictor of passing the real test.
Do I have to pay or sign up to take this practice test?
No. Every practice test, study guide, and resource on freecnatraining.org is 100% free, with no signup or paywall. Most other CNA practice test sites charge $30 to $100 per month for access; we are funded by our nursing-school directory and keep the study material free for students.