Free CNA Practice Test
Data Collection and Reporting
22 NNAAP-style questions, one at a time — just like exam day. Score and full explanations at the end.
Free CNA practice test on data collection, observation, vital-sign documentation, charting, abbreviations, electronic health records, and reporting changes in condition to the nurse. A core NNAAP competency under "Member of the Health Care Team."
Need a refresher first? Read our free Data Collection & Reporting 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 OBJECTIVE data?
Prefer to read? All 22 questions with answers
Which is OBJECTIVE data?
- The resident says 'I feel dizzy'
- Blood pressure of 90/60 (correct answer)
- The resident reports nausea
- The resident says 'I hurt'
Objective data is measurable or observable (vital signs, intake amount, skin color). Subjective data is what the resident reports. Both are documented and reported.
Which abbreviation means 'as needed'?
- BID
- PRN (correct answer)
- TID
- QID
PRN (pro re nata) means 'as needed.' BID is twice daily, TID is three times daily, QID is four times daily. Memorize common abbreviations for the NNAAP exam.
Which abbreviation means 'nothing by mouth'?
- PO
- NPO (correct answer)
- PRN
- IV
NPO (nil per os) means nothing by mouth. The CNA must check for an NPO order before offering food, water, ice chips, or oral medications.
Charting must be:
- Filled with the CNA's personal opinion
- Factual, specific, timely, legible, and signed (correct answer)
- Written in pencil
- Done at the end of the week
Documentation must be factual, specific, timely (charted as soon as possible after care), legible, in ink (if paper), without opinion, and signed with the CNA's title.
What is the correct way to correct an error in a paper chart?
- Use white-out
- Scribble it out
- Draw a single line through the error, write 'error,' initial and date it (correct answer)
- Tear out the page
Single line through the error, write 'error' (or 'mistaken entry') above, initial and date. White-out and erasures suggest fraud. Electronic records are corrected with a tracked addendum.
Which change should be reported to the nurse IMMEDIATELY?
- A resident enjoys their breakfast
- A new productive cough, fever of 101.5 F, or sudden confusion (correct answer)
- Normal vital signs
- A resident's choice of clothing
Any sudden change in condition — fever, cough, confusion, chest pain, falls, abnormal vital signs, refusal of care, bleeding — is reported immediately. These can be early signs of infection or other emergencies.
Which is the correct order to record vital signs (TPR)?
- Respirations, Pulse, Temperature
- Temperature, Pulse, Respirations (correct answer)
- Pulse, Temperature, Respirations
- Order does not matter
TPR is documented in the order Temperature, Pulse, Respirations. Blood pressure is added separately. Consistency makes reading trends easier for the licensed nurse.
The 24-hour clock value '14:00' equals:
- 12 a.m.
- 2 a.m.
- 2 p.m. (correct answer)
- 4 p.m.
Military / 24-hour clock: 14:00 is 2 p.m. Subtract 12 to convert times after noon to standard time. Many EHRs default to 24-hour format.
Which abbreviation means 'activities of daily living'?
- NPO
- ADL (correct answer)
- BRP
- DNR
ADL stands for Activities of Daily Living: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, ambulating. Independence with ADLs is a key indicator of resident function.
Which BEST describes the CNA's role in the nursing process?
- Diagnose and treat
- Observe, report, document, and assist with the care plan under the nurse's direction (correct answer)
- Prescribe medication
- Order tests
CNAs are an essential information source. The CNA observes, reports, documents, and provides care according to the care plan and the licensed nurse's direction. Assessment and care planning are nurse responsibilities.
Vital signs that should be reported immediately to the nurse include:
- BP 118/72, pulse 80, temp 98.6, resp 16
- BP 84/52, pulse 124, temp 102.4, resp 26 (correct answer)
- Normal range vitals
- Vitals improved from baseline
Hypotension under 90/60, tachycardia over 100, fever over 100.4 F, tachypnea over 20, and any sudden deviation from baseline are all reportable. Document and report promptly.
Which observation is BEST documented as fact?
- Mrs. Lee was grumpy
- Mrs. Lee refused her bath, stating 'I don't want one today.' Reported to RN. (correct answer)
- Mrs. Lee was being difficult
- Mrs. Lee always complains
Factual entries quote the resident, describe the action, and document reporting. Avoid words like 'grumpy,' 'difficult,' 'demanding,' or 'noncompliant' — they are subjective and biased.
Which is the BEST way to confirm a resident's identity before care?
- Ask the roommate
- Call out the name and wait for any answer
- Check the resident's ID band AND ask the resident to state their name and date of birth (correct answer)
- Use the room number alone
Two identifiers (ID band PLUS the resident stating their name and DOB) are standard. Cognitively impaired residents may answer to any name, so verification of the band is required.
Skin observations should include:
- Color, integrity, temperature, moisture, and any reddened or open areas (correct answer)
- Only obvious wounds
- Just temperature
- Nothing — that's the nurse's job
During bathing the CNA observes color, temperature, moisture, integrity, turgor, and reports any redness, wounds, rashes, lumps, bruising, or pressure injury. CNAs are the first line of skin assessment.
Which abbreviation means 'bathroom privileges'?
- BRP (correct answer)
- NPO
- BID
- VS
BRP stands for bathroom privileges — the resident may walk to the bathroom with or without assistance per the care plan. Other common abbreviations: VS (vital signs), I&O (intake and output).
The CNA notices that a resident's intake at lunch is 25%. The next step is:
- Forget it
- Document the percentage, encourage fluids, and report to the nurse (correct answer)
- Tell the family only
- Force the resident to eat
Document the actual percentage eaten, offer fluids and snacks, identify causes if possible (dental, illness, mood), and report to the nurse. Trends of poor intake risk dehydration and malnutrition.
Which is true about electronic health records (EHRs)?
- Password sharing is allowed
- Each user must log in with their own credentials and log off when finished (correct answer)
- It is acceptable to chart before doing the care
- EHRs do not require HIPAA
Each user must use their own login, log off when leaving the device, never share passwords, and never chart actions that have not been performed. EHRs are bound by HIPAA.
Which is the correct way to document time?
- 'Afternoon'
- 'Around lunch'
- Specific time of the care event, in 12-hour or 24-hour format per facility policy (e.g., 1430) (correct answer)
- Whatever is fastest
Time must be specific and follow facility format (most use 24-hour military time). Vague terms like 'around lunch' are unacceptable and can affect legal review of records.
When the nurse asks the CNA to give an SBAR-style report, the CNA should include:
- Personal opinions only
- Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation (correct answer)
- Random unrelated facts
- Coworker gossip
SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a standardized handoff tool used in many facilities to give concise, structured reports.
The CNA is responsible for keeping resident information:
- Public
- Confidential according to HIPAA, sharing only with care-team members who need it (correct answer)
- Posted on social media
- On a sticky note left in the break room
Confidentiality is a HIPAA requirement and a CNA's professional duty. Share only with care-team members who need the information, lock charts and screens, and never discuss residents in public spaces.
If a resident says 'I'm going to die today,' the CNA should:
- Tell them not to be silly
- Report the comment to the nurse immediately, document the exact quote, and stay with the resident (correct answer)
- Ignore
- Tell other residents
Statements suggesting awareness of dying, suicidal thoughts, or significant emotional distress are urgent. Stay with the resident, listen, quote the statement in the chart, and notify the nurse without delay.
Which is NOT included in a typical CNA flow sheet?
- Vital signs
- Intake and output
- Bowel and bladder
- Physician's medical diagnoses (correct answer)
CNA flow sheets track ADL care, vital signs, intake and output, weights, and bowel/bladder. Medical diagnoses are documented by physicians and nurses in the assessment portion of the chart.
FAQ: Data Collection and Reporting on the CNA Exam
How many data collection and reporting questions are on the actual NNAAP exam?
The NNAAP written exam has 60 scored questions distributed across eight content areas. Data Collection and Reporting 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 data collection and reporting 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.