Unofficial Montana nurse aide practice: 80 questions of our own in the twelve subject areas of the state knowledge exam.
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Exam mode: 72 questions, 90 minutes, 54 right to pass (75%).
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or Headmaster. Bank checked October 12, 2026.
The real exam, as Montana's candidate handbook describes it
Questions
72
To pass
54 of 72 right (75%)
Time limit
90 minutes
Retakes
Three attempts at the knowledge and skill portions within six months of finishing training. After six months the training expires.
Parts
A multiple-choice knowledge (or audio) test and a skill test. Both parts must be passed.
Skill test
Three or four randomly selected tasks in at most 35 minutes. Every key step and 80% of the other steps on each task.
Audio version
In English, on a computer with headphones. It is requested before the testing fee is paid.
Challenge
The exam may be challenged one time without training. A challenge candidate who fails any portion completes approved training before a retest.
Who gives it
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), approved by the Department. The Department issues the certificate after an online application.
Renewal
Online through the Department's portal, starting 90 days before the certificate expires.
A resident drinks a 6-ounce glass of juice. How much fluid is recorded?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.7, Assisting With Nutrition and Fluid Needs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
A resident receives a tube feeding. What is the lowest the head of the bed may be placed?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.2, Moving and Positioning Clients. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
A resident who cannot move in bed already has a pressure injury on one hip. What repositioning schedule is typically used for this resident?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.2, Moving and Positioning Clients. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
During range of motion exercises, how far is a joint moved?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 9.4, Complications of Immobility. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
Show all 80 questions (76 more)
Basic nursing skills, continued
Each time a resident is turned in bed, what is it a good time to check?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Turning patients over in bed. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
How full is a urine leg bag allowed to get before it is emptied?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Urine drainage bags. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
How should a gait belt fit around the waist?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.4, Assisting Clients to Transfer. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
In Fowler's position, how far is the head of the bed raised?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.2, Moving and Positioning Clients. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
What does "floating the heels" mean for a resident lying on the back?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.2, Moving and Positioning Clients. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
Which describes passive range of motion?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 9.4, Complications of Immobility. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
Why is a resident asked to dangle at the bedside for a few moments before standing?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.4, Assisting Clients to Transfer. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Basic Nursing Skills (11 of 72).
Care impaired 5
A resident with dementia asks, "Can you see that spider on the wall?" No spider is there. Which reply fits?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.5, Caring for Clients With Dementia. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Care Impaired (5 of 72).
A resident with dementia insists she must catch a bus. What does validation therapy call for?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.5, Caring for Clients With Dementia. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Care Impaired (5 of 72).
A resident with dementia suddenly strikes out during care. What should be ruled out as a cause?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.5, Caring for Clients With Dementia. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Care Impaired (5 of 72).
How do you avoid startling a resident with dementia as you come up to her?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Dementia - daily care. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Care Impaired (5 of 72).
Which step helps manage sundowning in a resident with dementia?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.5, Caring for Clients With Dementia. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Care Impaired (5 of 72).
Communication 6
A resident with a visual impairment is served a meal. What does the clock method tell her?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.7, Assisting With Nutrition and Fluid Needs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
How are questions best put to a resident with aphasia?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Communicating with someone with aphasia. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
How is a lunch question best put to a resident with impaired thinking?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 1.2, The Communication Process. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
Which is part of nonverbal communication?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 1.2, The Communication Process. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
Which kind of message marks assertive communication?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 1.2, The Communication Process. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
Which step helps a resident with hearing loss follow what you say?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Talking to someone with hearing loss. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Communication (6 of 72).
Data collection 3
A resident has just finished a cup of hot tea. How long should you wait before taking an oral temperature?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 7.4, Obtaining Vital Signs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Data Collection (3 of 72).
Which resting pulse falls inside the normal range for a healthy adult?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Vital signs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Data Collection (3 of 72).
Why is the thumb never used to count a radial pulse?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 7.4, Obtaining Vital Signs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Data Collection (3 of 72).
Disease process 5
A resident has slurred speech for a few minutes, then speaks normally again. What should the aide do?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Disease Process (5 of 72).
A resident with diabetes becomes shaky, sweaty and confused, with cold, clammy skin. What do these signs point to?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 11.4, Endocrine System. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Disease Process (5 of 72).
A stroke damages the brain's left side. Where do the signs show?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Disease Process (5 of 72).
How may a urinary tract infection show in an older adult who has none of the usual symptoms?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.8, Assistance With Toileting. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Disease Process (5 of 72).
Which is a sign of high blood sugar in a resident with diabetes?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 11.4, Endocrine System. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Disease Process (5 of 72).
Infection control 11
A nursing home resident is suspected of having an airborne illness such as tuberculosis. What happens next?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
A resident is suspected of having C. difficile. How are hands cleaned after care?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
A resident with MRSA in a wound is on contact precautions. What is worn to carry a meal tray into the room?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
After rinsing, in which direction are the hands dried?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
An aide has just given incontinent care and will next help the same resident with oral care. What comes between?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.5, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
How are soiled linens handled on the way out of a room?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
How far can droplets from a sneeze travel?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
How long should the whole handwashing procedure with soap and water last?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
What alcohol concentration should an alcohol-based hand rub have?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.4, Precautions Used to Prevent the Spread of Infection. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
What is a negative pressure room, used for airborne precautions?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Isolation precautions. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
Which part of a used isolation gown is always treated as contaminated?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 4.5, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Infection Control (11 of 72).
Mental health 4
A resident firmly believes staff are poisoning his food, though nothing supports it. What is this called?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.4, Caring for Clients With Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Mental Health (4 of 72).
A resident hears voices when no one is in the room. What is this called?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.4, Caring for Clients With Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Mental Health (4 of 72).
What sets a panic attack apart from everyday worry?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 10.4, Caring for Clients With Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Mental Health (4 of 72).
Which is true of delirium?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Delirium. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Mental Health (4 of 72).
Older adult growth and development 2
How does aging change body temperature?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Aging changes in vital signs. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Older Adult Growth & Development (2 of 72).
What is presbycusis?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Aging changes in the senses. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Older Adult Growth & Development (2 of 72).
Personal care 7
A resident is recovering from a hip replacement and cannot get out of bed. Which bedpan is designed for her?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.8, Assistance With Toileting. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
A resident with diabetes needs her toenails cut. Who does this?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.5, Skin Care. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
During a bed bath, in which direction are the private areas washed?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Bathing a patient in bed. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
How often is full body bathing typically given to an older resident in long-term care?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.5, Skin Care. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
In what order is a resident bathed?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.6, Types of Baths and Techniques. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
Which areas does a partial bath cover?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.6, Types of Baths and Techniques. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
Which word is never used for an incontinence product in front of a resident?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 5.8, Assistance With Toileting. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Personal Care (7 of 72).
Resident rights 5
A Montana long-term care facility plans to change the cost of a service. How far ahead must the resident be told, unless that is beyond the facility's control?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1104, Rights of long-term care facility residents, subsection (2)(a). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Resident Rights (5 of 72).
A resident in a Montana facility is seeking privacy in her room. What does state law ask of a staff member who must enter?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1104, Rights of long-term care facility residents, subsection (2)(i). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Resident Rights (5 of 72).
A resident's watch goes missing in a Montana facility. What does state law give the resident a right to?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1104, Rights of long-term care facility residents, subsection (2)(m). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Resident Rights (5 of 72).
Under Montana law, how much written notice does "reasonable advance notice" of an involuntary transfer or discharge require, outside an emergency?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1104, Rights of long-term care facility residents, subsection (2)(j). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Resident Rights (5 of 72).
What must a Montana facility give a resident advisory council?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1104, Rights of long-term care facility residents, subsection (2)(c). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Resident Rights (5 of 72).
Role and responsibility 5
A nursing home employee in Montana has reasonable cause to suspect a resident has been abused. To whom does state law send the report?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 52-3-811, Reports, subsection (1)(b). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Role and Responsibility (5 of 72).
An aide in Montana reports suspected neglect, and the report turns out to be mistaken. When can the aide be held liable for making it?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 52-3-814, Immunity from civil and criminal liability, subsection (1). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Role and Responsibility (5 of 72).
An aide posts a photo of a resident online to make fun of her. What does Montana law call this?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 52-3-803, Definitions, subsections (1)(c) and (7). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Role and Responsibility (5 of 72).
At what age is every person a "vulnerable adult" under the Montana abuse prevention act, with no impairment needed?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 52-3-803, Definitions, subsection (9). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Role and Responsibility (5 of 72).
What must each staff member of a Montana long-term care facility do about the facility's statement of residents' rights?Montana Code Annotated 2025, 50-5-1105, Long-term care facility to adopt and post residents' rights, subsection (2). Outline: Montana handbook subject area Role and Responsibility (5 of 72).
Safety 8
A fire starts in a resident room. By the RACE steps, what comes first?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
A resident at lunch is coughing hard and can still speak. What is the right response to possible choking?MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Abdominal thrusts. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
A resident begins to have a seizure on the floor. Which action is right?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
How is an ordered physical restraint secured to the bed?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.7, Restraints and Restraint Alternatives. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
How many assistants does a transfer with a full-body mechanical lift require?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.4, Assisting Clients to Transfer. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
When do raised side rails count as a restraint?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 8.7, Restraints and Restraint Alternatives. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
Where is the nozzle of a fire extinguisher aimed?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
You walk into a room and find a resident on the floor. What do you do?Nursing Assistant, Open RN (open textbook, CC BY 4.0), section 3.2, Emergency Situations. Outline: Montana handbook subject area Safety (8 of 72).
Montana's test and registry rules 8
A Montana candidate challenges the exam without training and fails the skills portion. What must come before a retest?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, Challenge Candidates. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
How early can a Montana nurse aide certificate be renewed?Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana Nurse Aide Registry page, Renewal Application. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
How long does a Montana candidate have for the three or four tasks of the Skill Test?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, The Manual Skill Test. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
How many attempts does a Montana candidate have at each portion of the exam, and within what time after training?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, Test Attempts. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
How many multiple-choice questions are on the Montana nurse aide Knowledge Exam?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, Knowledge Exam Content. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
What is the most time allowed for the Montana Knowledge Exam?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, Knowledge/Audio Exam Information. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
What must a Montana candidate do on each assigned task to pass the Skill Test?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, The Manual Skill Test. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
What score passes the knowledge portion of the Montana exam?Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025, Knowledge/Audio Exam Information. Outline: not a subject area; Montana's own test and registry rules.
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Knowledge Exam Subject Areas in the Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook of D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective February 2025 (https://hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/montana/mtformpages/forms/MTNA%20CandidateHandbook%202.2025.pdf, linked from https://hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/montana/MT_CNA_Home.htm and named on the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services registry page https://dphhs.mt.gov/oig/Certification/cna; read 2026-10-12). The handbook gives 72 questions in twelve subject areas: Basic Nursing Skills 11, Care Impaired 5, Communication 6, Data Collection 3, Disease Process 5, Infection Control 11, Mental Health 4, Older Adult Growth & Development 2, Personal Care 7, Resident Rights 5, Role and Responsibility 5, Safety 8. This bank holds the same counts, plus 8 questions on Montana's own test and registry rules. Every fact was read on 2026-10-12 in the public source the question names: Montana Code Annotated 2025 (50-5-1104, 50-5-1105, 52-3-803, 52-3-811, 52-3-814), the handbook, the Department's registry page, the open textbook Nursing Assistant (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0, https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nurseassist/) and MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This Montana CNA practice test is free, with no account. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services or D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), which gives the real exam.
Read the full guide
What the Montana knowledge exam covers
The Montana candidate handbook, read October 12, 2026, lists twelve subject areas for the exam's 72 questions. Basic nursing skills and infection control carry 11 each and safety 8, and this bank keeps every area's count.
Montana's own law
The ten questions on resident rights and on role and responsibility come from Montana Code Annotated: 30 days' notice of a cost change, 21 days' written notice of a transfer, and abuse reports to the ombudsman and the Department.
Where the answers come from
Each answer names its public source: Montana Code, the handbook, the Department's registry page, the open textbook Nursing Assistant from Open RN, or a MedlinePlus page.
Eight more questions cover the test itself: its length, the pass mark, the attempts allowed and the skill test.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Montana CNA test?
72 multiple-choice questions in at most 90 minutes, with 75% or better to pass, by the Montana Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook. An audio version in English can be requested before the testing fee is paid.
Who gives the CNA test in Montana?
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), approved by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The Department, not the testing company, issues the certificate after an online application, by the handbook and the Department's registry page.
How many times can you take the CNA test in Montana?
Three attempts at the knowledge and skill portions within six months of finishing training, by the handbook. A candidate who challenged the exam without training and failed any portion completes an approved program before a retest.
Are these the real Montana CNA test questions?
No. Federal rule 42 CFR 483.154 keeps the real pool from being disclosed. These are our own questions, written from public sources. The sample questions in the handbook were not used.