STNA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield STNA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. All of the following, with the exception of the following, can help your patients get more sleep: → Change the patient's everyday routine.
2. A patient begins to fall while ambulating. The nurse aide should: → Ease the patient to the floor in a controlled manner while protecting their head
3. Which patient placement measure is used for airborne precautions? → A private room with negative air pressure
4. Which site is most commonly used for measuring an adult's temperature orally? → Sublingual (under the tongue)
5. When caring for a resident who is visually impaired, the nurse aide should: → Always announce presence before touching and keep pathways clear
6. What is a contracture? → A permanent shortening of muscle or connective tissue causing restricted joint movement
7. When collecting a mid-stream clean-catch urine specimen, the nurse aide should instruct the resident to: → Begin urinating, stop, then collect the middle portion
8. A nurse aide suspects a resident is experiencing a hypoglycemic episode. Which symptom would support this? → Shakiness, sweating, and confusion
9. Which observation should the nurse aide report immediately while giving a patient a bath? → A new reddened area over a bony prominence
10. A nurse aide is performing postmortem care. Which action is correct? → Treat the body with dignity and follow facility policy
11. Which action demonstrates respect for a patient's cultural beliefs? → Modifying the care approach when possible to align with the patient's cultural practices
12. Which of the following statements is NOT a condition brought on by aging and one to which all inhabitants must get used? → Inability to pick up new skills
13. When positioning a resident in the lateral (side-lying) position, a pillow should be placed: → Between the knees and under the top arm and head
14. When trimming or filing a diabetic patient's nails, the nurse aide should: → File straight across and report any abnormalities to the nurse
15. What is the term for a resident's right to make decisions about their own care, including the right to refuse treatment? → Autonomy
16. Which change in a patient's condition should the nurse aide report immediately? → A patient develops sudden confusion and slurred speech
17. Which action by a nurse aide constitutes a violation of patient confidentiality (HIPAA)? → Sharing a patient's diagnosis with a friend outside of work
18. A nurse aide is assisting a resident who has right-sided weakness to dress. Which limb should be dressed first? → Right (weaker) side first
19. What is the medical term for difficulty swallowing? → Dysphagia
20. A resident refuses to take a prescribed medication. What should the nurse aide do first? → Respect the refusal and report it to the nurse immediately
21. A resident requests to leave the facility for an outing without staff supervision. The nurse aide should: → Inform the charge nurse and document the resident's request
22. Which federal law established minimum standards for nursing assistant training and testing? → OBRA 1987
23. Which action by a nurse aide constitutes neglect? → Leaving a resident in a soiled brief for an extended period
24. The nurse aide notices a resident is coughing and sneezing repeatedly. To practice respiratory hygiene, the nurse aide should encourage the resident to: → Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing
25. A resident is receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula. Which safety measure is most important? → Ensure no smoking or open flames near the oxygen source
26. What is the correct order for donning PPE before entering an isolation room? → Mask/respirator, goggles, gown, gloves
27. How should the nurse aide handle dentures during oral care? → Place a towel or basin of water in the sink before handling dentures
28. Which of the following statements about standard precautions is accurate? → They should be used with all residents regardless of diagnosis
29. How many ounces are in one cup when measuring fluid intake? → 8 ounces
30. Which behavior by a nurse aide is an example of patient abuse? → Threatening a patient with restricted meals if they don't cooperate with care