What are the 25 skills for CNA?

The 25 CNA skills tested for certification cover fundamental patient care, including Hand Hygiene, Taking Vital Signs, Feeding, Bed Making, Ambulation/Transfers, Personal Care (like mouth/denture/nail care, bathing, perineal care), Infection Control (PPE), Range of Motion, Using a Bedpan, Measuring Urine, and Applying Stockings, ensuring you can safely assist patients with daily living activities and basic health monitoring.

What are the 25 skills for CNA nurses?

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• SKILL 1 — HAND HYGIENE (HAND. WASHING) ...
• SKILL 2 — APPLIES ONE KNEE-HIGH. ELASTIC STOCKING. ...
• SKILL 3 — ASSISTS TO AMBULATE. USING TRANSFER BELT. ...
• SKILL 4 — ASSISTS WITH USE OF. BEDPAN. ...
• SKILL 5 — CLEANS UPPER OR LOWER. ...
• SKILL 6 — COUNTS AND RECORDS. ...
• SKILL 7 — COUNTS AND RECORDS. ...
• SKILL 8 — DONNING AND REMOVING.

What are my skills as a CNA?

These include: Clinical Skills/Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - Knowing how to conduct clinical skills like taking vital signs, administering oral and denture care, offering feeding assistance, toileting and bedpan assistance, and light housekeeping.

How many skills are in CNA?

During training, you learn many skills that are important in caring for residents. There are 22 skills that are part of the Clinical Skills Test. When you are registered to test, a computer will decide which skills will be on your test. A Clinical Skills Test consists of five scored skills.

What are the skills checklist for CNA?

A CNA skills checklist covers essential tasks from personal care (bathing, feeding, dressing, oral care, perineal care, nail/foot care) and safety/mobility (transfers, ambulation, fall prevention, using assistive devices) to clinical/vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, intake/output, glucometer, specimen collection) and communication/documentation (hand hygiene, privacy, explaining procedures, charting). Checklists ensure consistency by detailing specific steps for each skill, emphasizing resident rights, privacy, and infection control (like handwashing) before and during procedures, as required for state competency exams.
 

CNA Practice Test 2026 (60 Questions with Explained Answers)

How do I pass my CNA skills test?

To pass the CNA skills test, you must thoroughly practice all skills (like handwashing, vitals, bed baths) until they're automatic, master critical steps, verbalize your actions, prioritize patient safety and privacy, and manage your time by taking it slow and double-checking everything before declaring completion. Focusing on repetition, simulating test conditions, and staying calm are key. 

What are the 6 principles of CNA?

The six principles of care listed by the American Red Cross / CNA in their training materials are dignity, infection control, safety, communication, independence, and privacy.

What is the hardest task as a CNA?

The hardest parts of being a CNA involve intense physical and emotional strain, leading to burnout, from long hours, lifting patients, and dealing with suffering, pain, and death, compounded by understaffing, time pressure, low pay, and feeling unappreciated, which can make it hard to maintain empathy and job satisfaction. 

What is a skill checklist?

Skills checklists are practical lists that detail for employees the skills they are required to perform and the level of performance that is expected for each skill. Skills checklists can take the form of logbooks, fillable PDF forms, and online forms.

What are the most common CNA skills tests?

Common CNA Skills Tested

• Handwashing.
• Measuring blood pressure.
• Measuring pulse and respiration.
• Assisting with ambulation.
• Feeding a patient.
• Performing range-of-motion exercises.
• Dressing a patient with limited mobility.

What are the key skills for a care assistant?

Skills and knowledge

• sensitivity and understanding.
• a desire to help people.
• the ability to work well with others.
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail.

What are common challenges faced by CNAs?

A few of the most common challenges CNAs face are: Perception as the lowest rung on the healthcare ladder. Salaries that don't reflect the hard work. Responsibility for the bulk of physically demanding tasks.

What is your greatest strength as a CNA?

Compassion and empathy

Your ability to show genuine care and understanding can make a significant difference in their overall experience. Compassion also extends to their families, who may be anxious or emotional. A compassionate nursing assistant not only provides physical care but emotional support as well.

What is the highest paid CNA position?

High-paying CNA jobs often involve specialized settings like ICUs, dialysis centers, or correctional facilities, or work through travel agencies and PRN (per diem) roles for maximum flexibility and bonuses, with locations in high-wage states offering better base rates and opportunities for overtime, especially in critical care or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Getting extra certifications (like Phlebotomy or IV) also boosts earning potential. 

What are the legal responsibilities of CNAs?

Your role involves many duties, the top five listed as feeding, bathing and dressing patients; taking patient vital signs; serving meals, making beds and keeping patient rooms clean; setting up medical equipment and assisting with some medical procedures (based on state law); and answering calls when patients need help ...

Do CNAs take blood pressure?

CNAs are trained to measure and document vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiratory rate. Regularly monitoring these vital signs is crucial for healthcare professionals when assessing a patient's overall health.

What are the 10 basic skills?

Ten key skills essential for career success include Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Adaptability, Time Management, Leadership, Creativity, Digital Literacy, and Emotional Intelligence, covering core abilities to analyze, innovate, collaborate, and manage oneself effectively in dynamic work environments, notes Harvard University and Indeed. Developing these skills, a blend of "soft" human capabilities and practical "hard" skills like tech proficiency, helps professionals navigate complex challenges and contribute meaningfully. 

What skills do CNA check off?

These skills include: ambulation, feeding, hand & nail care, measure and record respirations, pulse, blood pressure and transfers. For testing purposes, the candidate may choose to provide privacy or not for these skills only. Safety must be evaluated for each individual skill performed.

What are the 7 basic life skills?

The 7 essential life skills, famously outlined by Ellen Galinsky in Mind in the Making, are Focus & Self-Control, Perspective Taking, Communicating, Making Connections, Critical Thinking, Taking on Challenges, and Self-Directed, Engaged Learning, which equip individuals to thrive in school, work, and relationships by building resilience, responsibility, and adaptability.
 

What tasks can a CNA not perform?

CNAs are generally not allowed to perform tasks requiring advanced medical training, such as administering injections (IV, intramuscular), inserting or removing catheters, performing sterile wound care, giving tube feedings, making medical diagnoses, or interpreting lab results; their role focuses on basic patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. They must avoid any actions that cross into skilled nursing territory, including prescribing or altering medications or operating complex medical equipment. 

How to pass CNA skills?

To pass your CNA skills test, you must practice every skill meticulously, focusing on the exact steps, especially critical ones like handwashing and patient safety (bedrails, call light). During the test, communicate clearly, explain your actions to the "patient," take your time, and don't rush, as a missed step, like hand hygiene, can cause failure. Using official study guides, practicing with friends/family/dummies, and simulating test conditions build confidence and ensure you remember all key actions, like using a washcloth for denture care instead of a toothbrush. 

Why do CNAs quit?

Staffing Shortages and burnout: According to a 2022 survey from the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), “The CNA staffing shortage is the most pressing challenge for CNAs right now, according to more than half of the respondents.” These staffing shortages contribute to other problems, like burnout, ...

How to stand out as a CNA?

Emphasize your skills. Include both clinical skills and aptitude related to patient care, as well as those soft skills that make you shine in patient care. These include empathy, communication, excellent time management, attention to detail, and patience.

What are the six C's?

So, the 6Cs are care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment. Let us have a look at each one individually.

What are the basics of a CNA?

Certified Nursing Assistant Job Basics

A CNA's role typically involves assisting patients with activities of daily living, basic tasks that include bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, and moving. This can involve emptying bedpans, changing soiled clothing and sheets, and cleaning up bodily fluids.