All CNA Classes

Role and Rules of the Nurse Aide Practice Test

8 questions on role and rules. Each answer explains the reasoning and links to the federal regulation or official health guidance behind it.

  • 8 questions
  • Answers explained
  • Sources checked November 3, 2026

Study test, not the real exam. The All CNA Classes Editorial Team wrote these questions based on official federal standards (42 CFR Part 483), CDC safety guidance, and MedlinePlus. This set focuses on role and rules: Abuse reporting, reporting changes to the nurse, training hours, in-service hours and certification rules..

  1. 1. Role and rulesA resident tells you another staff member hit her. Under federal rules, how soon must the allegation be reported to the administrator and state officials?
  2. 2. Role and rulesA nurse aide becomes frustrated and screams humiliating insults at a resident who spilled his drink. What type of abuse is this?
  3. 3. Role and rulesWhile helping a resident wash, you notice her skin feels much hotter than usual and she seems confused. What should you do?
  4. 4. Role and rulesFederal rules say trainees need at least how many hours of training before any direct contact with a resident?
  5. 5. Role and rulesUnder federal Medicare/Medicaid regulations, an approved nurse aide training program must consist of at least how many total hours?
  6. 6. Role and rulesUnder federal nursing home requirements, how many hours of in-service education must a nursing facility provide to each nurse aide annually?
  7. 7. Role and rulesUnder federal registry rules, what happens if a certified nurse aide has a continuous break of 24 months without performing paid nursing-related services?
  8. 8. Role and rulesUnder federal standards (42 CFR § 483.154), what two components make up the required nurse aide competency evaluation?
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  1. A resident tells you another staff member hit her. Under federal rules, how soon must the allegation be reported to the administrator and state officials?
    Answer: Immediately, and no later than 2 hours after the allegation. Alleged abuse, and anything that causes serious bodily injury, must be reported immediately and no later than 2 hours after the allegation is made. Other alleged violations must be reported within 24 hours. 42 CFR §483.12(c)(1) (Cornell LII).
  2. A nurse aide becomes frustrated and screams humiliating insults at a resident who spilled his drink. What type of abuse is this?
    Answer: Verbal and mental abuse. Federal rules define abuse as the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation or punishment causing physical harm, pain or mental anguish. It includes verbal abuse and mental abuse. 42 CFR §483.5 (Cornell LII).
  3. While helping a resident wash, you notice her skin feels much hotter than usual and she seems confused. What should you do?
    Answer: Report the change to the nurse right away. Recognizing abnormal changes in body functioning, and reporting them to a supervisor, is one of the basic nursing skills every approved program must teach. 42 CFR §483.152(b)(2) (Cornell LII).
  4. Federal rules say trainees need at least how many hours of training before any direct contact with a resident?
    Answer: 16 hours. Trainees need at least 16 hours of training, in communication, infection control, safety and emergencies, independence and residents' rights, before any direct contact with a resident. The whole program must be at least 75 hours. 42 CFR §483.152(b)(1) (Cornell LII).
  5. Under federal Medicare/Medicaid regulations, an approved nurse aide training program must consist of at least how many total hours?
    Answer: 75 hours. Federal rules say an approved nurse aide training program must have no less than 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. States can require more. 42 CFR §483.152(a) (Cornell LII).
  6. Under federal nursing home requirements, how many hours of in-service education must a nursing facility provide to each nurse aide annually?
    Answer: At least 12 hours per year. Federal rules say nurse aide in-service training must be enough to keep aides competent, and no less than 12 hours per year. 42 CFR §483.95(g) (Cornell LII).
  7. Under federal registry rules, what happens if a certified nurse aide has a continuous break of 24 months without performing paid nursing-related services?
    Answer: The individual must complete a new training and competency evaluation program (or new competency evaluation) before working again. If a nurse aide goes 24 consecutive months without providing nursing or nursing-related services for pay, they must complete a new training and competency evaluation program or a new competency evaluation. 42 CFR §483.35(d) (Cornell LII).
  8. Under federal standards (42 CFR § 483.154), what two components make up the required nurse aide competency evaluation?
    Answer: A written or oral examination AND a clinical hands-on skills demonstration. Federal rules say the competency evaluation has a written or oral part and a skills demonstration of randomly selected tasks that nurse aides generally perform. 42 CFR §483.154 (Cornell LII).

Continue Studying Other Topics

Master all five core domains tested on the state CNA written exam:

Residents' Rights

Federal rules on privacy, personal dignity, choices, grievances, restraints, and communications.

Infection Control

CDC hand hygiene, standard precautions, and contact, droplet and airborne precautions.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Choking first aid, oxygen safety, room temperature rules and safe lifting.

Basic Nursing Skills

Vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing, blood pressure) and preventing pressure sores.

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Official Topic Sources

  1. 42 CFR §483.12(c)(1) (Cornell LII)
  2. 42 CFR §483.5 (Cornell LII)
  3. 42 CFR §483.152(a) (Cornell LII)
  4. 42 CFR §483.95(g) (Cornell LII)
  5. 42 CFR §483.35(d) (Cornell LII)
  6. 42 CFR §483.154 (Cornell LII)