CNA Skills Test — All 22 NNAAP Skills, Step by Step
The CNA exam has two parts: a written test and a hands-on Skills Evaluation. On the NNAAP Skills test you perform 5 skills — hand hygiene (always) plus 4 drawn at random from about 22. Below is a plain, step-by-step guide to each skill, with the critical (must-not-miss) steps that most candidates fail on. Learn the steps here, practice them hands-on, then test yourself with free CNA skills questions.
Practice free CNA skills questions →Hand Hygiene & PPE (2)
Practice these questions →Hand Hygiene (Handwashing)
The one skill every candidate performs — wash for 20+ seconds and turn the faucet off with a paper towel.
Step-by-step guide →Donning & Doffing PPE (Gown & Gloves)
Put PPE on gown→mask→goggles→gloves; take it off gloves→goggles→gown→mask, then wash your hands.
Step-by-step guide →
Vital Signs & Measurements (5)
Practice these questions →Counts & Records Radial Pulse
Count the pulse at the wrist for a full 60 seconds and record the rate.
Step-by-step guide →Counts & Records Respirations
Count breaths for a full 60 seconds without telling the resident, then record.
Step-by-step guide →Measures & Records Blood Pressure
Cuff 1 inch above the elbow, stethoscope over the brachial artery, deflate slowly, record systolic/diastolic.
Step-by-step guide →Measures & Records Weight (Ambulatory)
Balance the scale at zero, weigh the resident in non-skid shoes, and record the weight.
Step-by-step guide →Measures & Records Urinary Output
Pour urine into a graduate on a flat surface, read at eye level, and record the amount in mL/cc.
Step-by-step guide →
ADL — Hygiene & Dressing (7)
Practice these questions →Provides Mouth Care
Brush teeth, tongue and gums, and turn the head to the side to prevent choking.
Step-by-step guide →Cleans Upper & Lower Dentures
Line the sink with a towel/water, clean the dentures over it, and store them in cool water.
Step-by-step guide →Gives Modified Bed Bath (Face & One Arm)
Wash from clean to dirty, rinse and pat dry, and keep the resident covered for dignity and warmth.
Step-by-step guide →Provides Perineal Care (Female)
Always wipe front to back with a clean part of the cloth for each stroke; clean the rectal area last.
Step-by-step guide →Provides Catheter Care (Female)
Clean down the catheter tubing away from the body (4 inches) without tugging, holding it at the meatus.
Step-by-step guide →Provides Foot Care (One Foot)
Wash and dry between the toes, and never cut the nails — report anything abnormal instead.
Step-by-step guide →Dresses a Client With an Affected (Weak) Arm
Dress the weak (affected) arm first and undress it last to protect the joint.
Step-by-step guide →
Nutrition, Elimination & Comfort (4)
Practice these questions →Feeds a Client Who Cannot Feed Self
Sit the resident upright, offer small bites at their pace, and check the tray/temperature first.
Step-by-step guide →Assists With Use of a Bedpan
Raise the head of the bed, give privacy and the call light, and wear gloves throughout.
Step-by-step guide →Positions a Client on One Side
Turn the resident onto their side and support the back and legs with pillows for alignment.
Step-by-step guide →Applies One Knee-High Elastic Stocking
Turn the stocking inside-out to the heel, then smooth it up the leg with no twists or wrinkles.
Step-by-step guide →
Mobility, Transfers & Range of Motion (4)
Practice these questions →Assists to Ambulate Using a Transfer (Gait) Belt
Non-skid shoes on, gait belt snug over clothing, underhand grip, walk on the weak side.
Step-by-step guide →Transfers Using a Mechanical / Standing Lift
Use two staff, a correctly sized sling, and lock the wheels before lifting.
Step-by-step guide →Performs Passive ROM for One Knee & One Ankle
Support above and below the joint, move slowly, and stop at the point of pain.
Step-by-step guide →Performs Passive ROM for One Shoulder
Support the elbow and wrist, move the shoulder gently through its range, and stop at pain.
Step-by-step guide →
The steps scored on every skill
Hand hygiene, privacy, the call light in reach, resident safety and recording are scored on every skill — miss one and you can fail no matter how well you did the rest.
Practice the critical-step questions →