CNA Legal and Ethical Behavior Practice Test
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25 practice questions
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Question 1 of 25Medium
A nurse aide finds a paper medical chart lying open and unattended on a table in the facility's public dining room. What should the nurse aide do first?
- A. Announce to the dining room that an unattended chart was found
- B. Leave the chart in place and seek out the charge nurse to report it
- C. Search the room to locate the staff member who left the chart behind
- D. Close the chart and return it immediately to a secure nursing area
Show answer to question 1
Answer: D. Close the chart and return it immediately to a secure nursing area
When protected health information is exposed in a public area, the immediate priority is to close the record and return it to a secure location to prevent further unauthorized viewing. Leaving the record in place while looking for staff leaves the information exposed. Announcing the misplaced chart publicly draws unwanted attention to confidential documents.
Question 2 of 25Hard
A family member asks why staff continue to bathe, reposition, and feed a resident who has an active Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. What is the most accurate explanation for the nurse aide to provide?
- A. The DNR order does not take effect until hospice services are involved.
- B. Routine care must continue until family members sign a waiver to stop it.
- C. The DNR order applies only to emergency revival when heart or lung function ceases.
- D. Daily physical assistance continues because the order is still considered pending.
Show answer to question 2
Answer: C. The DNR order applies only to emergency revival when heart or lung function ceases.
A DNR order specifically directs healthcare staff not to attempt resuscitation if the resident stops breathing or their heart stops beating, but it does not restrict ongoing daily living assistance, nutrition, hydration, or hygiene. Thinking that a DNR order removes the obligation to provide standard supportive and comfort care is a frequent misunderstanding among family members.
Question 3 of 25Medium
A visitor approaches a nurse aide in the hallway and asks for an update on a resident's medical condition. How should the aide respond?
- A. Ask the resident's roommate for permission to share the update
- B. Answer the questions honestly if the visitor appears to be a close friend
- C. Provide the vital signs only and withhold the medical diagnosis
- D. Direct the visitor to speak with the nurse in charge of the resident
Show answer to question 3
Answer: D. Direct the visitor to speak with the nurse in charge of the resident
Nurse aides are not permitted to share medical status updates with visitors and must refer inquiries to the charge nurse, who can verify if the visitor is an authorized contact. Even if a visitor claims to be a close friend or family member, sharing information without verified permission violates confidentiality laws.
Question 4 of 25Medium
An alert, oriented resident refuses to allow the nurse aide to perform scheduled morning perineal care. What is the most appropriate action by the nurse aide?
- A. Ask a second nurse aide to hold the resident still while completing the wash.
- B. Explain that morning hygiene is mandatory and continue providing care.
- C. Respect the resident's choice, stop the care, and notify the nurse.
- D. Leave the room for five minutes and return to perform the care without asking.
Show answer to question 4
Answer: C. Respect the resident's choice, stop the care, and notify the nurse.
Competent residents have the legal right to refuse any care, treatment, or procedure. Proceeding with care against a resident's explicit refusal constitutes unauthorized treatment and can lead to legal charges of battery. The aide should respect the refusal, ensure the resident is safe, and report the refusal promptly to the nurse.
Question 5 of 25Easy
A physician calls the nursing station to give a new medication order for a resident. The nurse aide answers the phone. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Transfer the call or locate the licensed nurse immediately
- B. Repeat the order back to the doctor to ensure accuracy
- C. Tell the doctor to call back during the next shift change
- D. Write down the order and place it in the resident chart
Show answer to question 5
Answer: A. Transfer the call or locate the licensed nurse immediately
Nurse aides are not legally authorized to receive or transcribe verbal or telephone physician orders. The aide must transfer the call or find a licensed nurse right away. Writing down the order or repeating it back oversteps the aide scope of practice, even if the aide writes down the words correctly.
Question 6 of 25Medium
A resident who is fully oriented repeatedly compliments a nurse aide's appearance, holds the aide's hand lingeringly, and asks the aide to go out on a dinner date. How should the nurse aide respond?
- A. Ignore the behavior completely and hope the resident stops asking eventually.
- B. Firmly and respectfully remind the resident that staff-resident relationships are strictly professional.
- C. Agree to meet for coffee in the facility cafeteria after the shift ends.
- D. Laugh off the comment and state that the age difference is too large for dating.
Show answer to question 6
Answer: B. Firmly and respectfully remind the resident that staff-resident relationships are strictly professional.
When a resident makes romantic or flirtatious advances, the nurse aide must set firm, clear, and respectful boundaries immediately. Deflecting with jokes or laughing can be misinterpreted as encouragement, while ignoring the behavior allows it to continue. Dating or pursuing romantic relationships with residents is a severe ethical violation.
Question 7 of 25Hard
A resident receiving continuous oxygen therapy via nasal cannula reports shortness of breath and asks the nurse aide to turn up the flow meter. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Check the oxygen tubing for kinks and then raise the flow rate slightly
- B. Increase the oxygen flow by one liter and notify the nurse
- C. Explain that adjusting oxygen is a medical treatment and report the shortness of breath to the nurse immediately
- D. Switch the resident from a nasal cannula to a simple face mask
Show answer to question 7
Answer: C. Explain that adjusting oxygen is a medical treatment and report the shortness of breath to the nurse immediately
Oxygen is classified as a prescription medication, and adjusting the flow rate is an unauthorized medical intervention outside the nurse aide's scope. The aide must keep the resident safe and report the acute change in condition to the nurse right away. Turning the oxygen up by even a small amount exceeds the aide's legal role and could harm residents with certain chronic respiratory conditions.
Question 8 of 25Hard
A nurse aide is asked by a busy coworker to document the fluid intake of a resident that the coworker fed lunch to. How should the nurse aide respond?
- A. Wait until the shift ends to see if the coworker has time to document it
- B. Refuse to document care provided by someone else and ask the coworker to chart it
- C. Record the intake under the coworker's initials with a note explaining why
- D. Record the intake and sign the entry with the aide's own name and title
Show answer to question 8
Answer: B. Refuse to document care provided by someone else and ask the coworker to chart it
Staff members may only document care and observations they have personally performed or witnessed; charting for someone else falsifies legal documentation. Recording the intake under one's own or another aide's initials is improper and violates documentation standards.
Question 9 of 25Medium
While assisting a resident at mealtime, the resident turns his head away and refuses another bite. The nurse aide pinches the resident's cheeks together to force his mouth open and pushes food inside. What legal violation did the nurse aide commit?
- A. Malpractice
- B. Assault
- C. Battery
- D. Slander
Show answer to question 9
Answer: C. Battery
Forcing food into a resident's mouth against their will and using physical force constitutes battery, which is unlawful, non-consensual physical contact. Assault refers to the threat of harm rather than the physical act itself. Malpractice applies to professional negligence by licensed practitioners rather than intentional physical force by an aide.
Question 10 of 25Medium
During the winter holidays, a grateful family member hands a nurse aide an envelope containing fifty dollars in cash. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Thank the family member, refuse the cash, and report the offer to the nurse supervisor.
- B. Accept the gift because it was offered by a family member rather than the resident.
- C. Accept the envelope and divide the cash equally among coworkers on the shift.
- D. Keep the cash but purchase small personal care gifts for the resident in return.
Show answer to question 10
Answer: A. Thank the family member, refuse the cash, and report the offer to the nurse supervisor.
Nurse aides must decline cash gifts from residents and family members alike, as accepting money breaches professional boundaries and facility rules. Acknowledging the kind gesture, declining the money, and reporting the incident ensures professional integrity and transparency. Sharing the cash with peers or purchasing reciprocal gifts does not make accepting money acceptable.
Question 11 of 25Medium
While bathing a resident, the nurse aide observes a new reddened area over the resident's tailbone that does not blanch. What is the nurse aide's responsibility regarding the care plan?
- A. Apply a barrier cream and add the treatment to the care plan interventions
- B. Recheck the area after several hours before alerting the supervising nurse
- C. Write a revised turning schedule directly into the resident's chart
- D. Report the observation to the nurse so the care plan can be formally updated
Show answer to question 11
Answer: D. Report the observation to the nurse so the care plan can be formally updated
Nurse aides are responsible for observing skin changes and reporting them promptly to the licensed nurse, who assesses the condition and updates the care plan. Nurse aides are not legally permitted to alter, add, or prescribe interventions in the care plan.
Question 12 of 25Hard
A resident reports having just been sexually assaulted in their room. To help preserve forensic evidence, what action must the nurse aide avoid before the medical examination takes place?
- A. Bathing the resident or changing their clothing
- B. Offering a clean blanket to prevent chilling
- C. Reporting the incident promptly to the supervisor
- D. Staying in the room to provide calm reassurance
Show answer to question 12
Answer: A. Bathing the resident or changing their clothing
Bathing the resident, cleaning the perineal area, or washing or discarding clothing can destroy vital physical evidence needed for a forensic evaluation and criminal investigation. Staying with the resident and offering emotional support are appropriate and comforting actions that do not compromise evidence.
Question 13 of 25Hard
A resident with moderate dementia who is incontinent pushes the nurse aide's hands away during perineal care. What should the nurse aide do?
- A. Explain the medical dangers of skin breakdown until the resident complies
- B. Stop the care, ensure the resident is safe, and reapproach in a short while
- C. Ask a coworker to hold the resident's arms until the care is completed
- D. Finish the cleansing as fast as possible without speaking to avoid more upset
Show answer to question 13
Answer: B. Stop the care, ensure the resident is safe, and reapproach in a short while
Forcing care or restraining a resident with dementia who resists can cause severe emotional trauma, increase agitation, and constitute physical abuse. The nurse aide should stop, ensure comfort and safety, allow time for relaxation, and attempt the task later using a calm, re-evaluative approach. Holding the resident down is improper restraint and violates resident rights.
Question 14 of 25Medium
While entering a resident's room, a nurse aide overhears a family member pressuring the confused resident to sign a check. What action should the nurse aide take?
- A. Demand that the family member leave the facility immediately
- B. Report the observed situation to the charge nurse immediately
- C. Wait outside the room until the visitor finishes the conversation
- D. Offer to sign the check as an official witness to the transaction
Show answer to question 14
Answer: B. Report the observed situation to the charge nurse immediately
Coercing a cognitively impaired resident into signing financial documents is a major sign of financial exploitation, and the nurse aide must report this observation promptly to the charge nurse or supervisor. Demanding that the family member leave exceeds the nurse aide's scope of authority and may escalate the situation unsafely. Offering to witness the transaction is incorrect because it facilitates potential exploitation rather than stopping it.
Question 15 of 25Easy
A nurse aide notices unexplained deep welts across a resident's back. What is the nurse aide's very first action?
- A. Apply a soothing lotion to the area to relieve any discomfort.
- B. Ask the resident's family if they know what caused the welts.
- C. Report the findings immediately to the charge nurse.
- D. Document the welts in the chart at the end of the shift.
Show answer to question 15
Answer: C. Report the findings immediately to the charge nurse.
As a mandated reporter, a nurse aide must report any signs of suspected physical abuse immediately to the charge nurse to protect the resident. Asking family members delays necessary reporting and could place the resident at greater risk if a visitor is involved.
Question 16 of 25Hard
A nurse aide witnesses a coworker repeatedly mock and belittle a resident with a speech impairment but chooses not to report it because the resident did not seem upset. What consequence can the witnessing nurse aide face?
- A. A verbal warning only, since the resident made no official complaint
- B. A minor fine deducted directly from the nurse aide's next paycheck
- C. Disciplinary action and loss of certification for failure to report abuse
- D. No penalties, because the aide did not personally participate in the mocking
Show answer to question 16
Answer: C. Disciplinary action and loss of certification for failure to report abuse
Under federal and state regulations, nurse aides are mandated reporters who are legally required to report any witnessed or suspected abuse. Failing to report abuse can result in termination, loss of state certification, and potential legal penalties, even if the aide was only a bystander.
Question 17 of 25Medium
A nurse aide observes an alert resident repeatedly left without drinking water, wearing heavily soiled clothing, and smelling strongly of body odor across multiple shifts. How should this condition be categorized?
- A. Caregiver neglect
- B. Psychological abuse
- C. Resident noncompliance
- D. Active physical abuse
Show answer to question 17
Answer: A. Caregiver neglect
Neglect is the failure to provide basic goods and services, such as hydration, clean clothing, and hygiene, needed to avoid physical harm or discomfort. Physical abuse involves the active infliction of injury, such as hitting or pinching, rather than withholding routine care. Repeated failure to provide basic necessities is neglect and must be reported immediately.
Question 18 of 25Hard
A resident with dementia has legally designated their daughter as their healthcare proxy. The resident's son arrives at the facility demanding to know why a new medication was prescribed. What is the nurse aide's most appropriate action?
- A. Inform the son that family members are never permitted to ask questions about care.
- B. Refer the son to the nurse to verify authorized contacts before discussing care.
- C. Show the son the medication administration record to verify the prescription.
- D. Explain the purpose of the medication because the son is an immediate relative.
Show answer to question 18
Answer: B. Refer the son to the nurse to verify authorized contacts before discussing care.
When legal healthcare proxy documents are in place, the facility must verify who has legal authority to receive medical updates. The nurse aide should direct the son to the nurse, who can check the resident's authorized contact list and communicate medical updates appropriately. Being an immediate family member does not automatically grant legal access to protected health details.
Question 19 of 25Easy
A nurse aide prepares a warm bath for an elderly resident but fails to test the water temperature. The resident steps into scalding water and suffers severe burns. This unintentional failure to act safely is known as:
- A. assault
- B. negligence
- C. battery
- D. defamation
Show answer to question 19
Answer: B. negligence
Negligence is the failure to exercise the standard of care that a reasonably prudent caregiver would provide, resulting in unintended harm. Battery involves intentional, unlawful physical contact without consent, whereas this injury resulted from carelessness and omission.
Question 20 of 25Easy
A resident tells the nurse aide that a wedding ring kept in the bedside drawer is missing. What is the nurse aide's best response?
- A. Report the missing ring to the charge nurse immediately.
- B. Reassure the resident that the ring will turn up during laundry.
- C. Search the personal belongings of the resident's roommate.
- D. Advise the resident not to keep valuable items in the facility.
Show answer to question 20
Answer: A. Report the missing ring to the charge nurse immediately.
Any report of lost or stolen items must be promptly reported to the supervising nurse so an official facility investigation can be documented and initiated. Reassuring the resident that it will turn up or advising them after the fact dismisses the resident's concern and delays necessary investigation.
Question 21 of 25Easy
Which event must be documented on a facility incident report?
- A. A resident's dentures are found cracked on the bathroom floor.
- B. A resident asks for pain medication thirty minutes early.
- C. A resident misplaces a pair of reading glasses in the lobby.
- D. A resident refuses to eat vegetables at dinner.
Show answer to question 21
Answer: A. A resident's dentures are found cracked on the bathroom floor.
An incident report is required whenever there is an injury, accident, or damage to personal property such as broken dentures. Meal refusals and requests for medication represent routine care decisions, and briefly misplacing an item does not require formal incident reporting unless it remains lost or stolen.
Question 22 of 25Medium
An alert, oriented resident refuses to take a scheduled morning shower. The nurse aide holds the resident by the wrists and forces the resident into the shower chair. This action constitutes which violation?
- A. Battery
- B. Neglect
- C. Assault
- D. Slander
Show answer to question 22
Answer: A. Battery
Battery is the intentional and unauthorized physical touching of a person without their consent. Threatening to touch a resident or make them afraid of harm is assault, but carrying out the unwanted physical contact constitutes battery.
Question 23 of 25Easy
A nurse aide finds a resident unresponsive in bed with no pulse or breathing. The resident's chart clearly lists an active Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. What is the nurse aide's correct immediate action?
- A. Begin chest compressions while calling for emergency assistance.
- B. Notify the charge nurse immediately and do not initiate CPR.
- C. Contact the family to determine if they still want the order followed.
- D. Place the resident into a recovery position and leave the room.
Show answer to question 23
Answer: B. Notify the charge nurse immediately and do not initiate CPR.
When a resident has an active Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, nursing staff must honor the resident's wishes by withholding CPR and promptly alerting the charge nurse. Starting chest compressions directly violates the resident's legal directive, and delaying notification to contact family during an acute event is unsafe and unauthorized.
Question 24 of 25Medium
A nurse aide finds a cognitively impaired resident sitting in a wheelchair with the call signal cord unplugged and placed out of reach behind a curtain. After ensuring the resident is safe and restoring the call signal, what should the nurse aide do next?
- A. Ask the resident why they chose to hide the call light
- B. Search facility records to see who was assigned to the room
- C. Monitor the room for the rest of the week before acting
- D. Report the incident to the charge nurse right away
Show answer to question 24
Answer: D. Report the incident to the charge nurse right away
Intentionally or carelessly removing a resident's access to a call light deprives them of the ability to summon help and constitutes neglect, requiring immediate reporting to the charge nurse. Performing an independent investigation or waiting to see if the problem recurs exceeds the nurse aide's role and delays administrative intervention.
Question 25 of 25Medium
Which situation is an example of neglect?
- A. A resident chooses to skip an activity
- B. A resident refuses a bath, and the aide reports it
- C. An aide offers a resident a choice of two shirts
- D. An aide leaves a resident in a soiled bed for hours
Show answer to question 25
Answer: D. An aide leaves a resident in a soiled bed for hours
Neglect is failing to provide the goods or services a resident needs to avoid harm, such as leaving her in a soiled bed. It can cause skin breakdown, infection and loss of dignity.
Why the other options are wrong
- AChoosing to skip an activity is the resident's right.
- BRespecting a refusal and reporting it is correct care.
- COffering choices supports the resident's rights.
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The full CNA bank has 106 Legal and Ethical Behavior questions. See plans
In the 2024 NNAAP written exam content outline, Legal and Ethical Behavior is 5% of the scored questions (3 of 60). Below are 25 original Legal and Ethical Behavior practice questions, each with the answer and an explanation.
Study guide lessons for Legal and Ethical Behavior
Short lessons on the same topics, each with audio in English and Spanish.
- Scope of Practice and Legal ResponsibilitiesOpen lesson
- Confidentiality, HIPAA, Records and Documentation
- Recognizing and Reporting Abuse and Neglect
- Financial Exploitation, Property, Boundaries and Gifts
- Refusal, Advance Directives and Legal Wrongs
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Are these actual CNA questions?
No. They are original practice questions written from the public exam outline, not questions taken from the exam. Exam owners keep live questions confidential.
How much of the CNA written exam is Legal and Ethical Behavior?
5% of the scored questions, 3 of 60, in the 2024 NNAAP content outline. Some states use a different nurse aide exam, so check the outline for your state. Source: Credentia, 2024 NNAAP written exam content outline.
Is this CNA Legal and Ethical Behavior practice test free?
Yes. The 25 questions on this page, with answers and explanations, are free to use, and there is no sign up. The full CNA bank of 2,833 questions, with timed section tests and an AI tutor, comes with a plan.
How should I use this practice test?
Answer each question before you open Show answer, then read why the correct option is right and the others are not. Note the topics you miss and review them first. The CNA study guide has 5 lessons for Legal and Ethical Behavior, listed on this page.
These are original practice questions written from the public exam outline. They are not actual exam questions. NNAAP is a trademark of its owner. tests.global is not affiliated with or endorsed by Credentia or NCSBN.
Updated November 1, 2026.