Unofficial New Mexico nurse aide practice: 70 questions of our own in the twelve subject areas of the knowledge exam.
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Exam mode: 60 questions, 60 minutes, 45 right to pass (74%).
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the New Mexico Health Care Authority or Headmaster. Bank checked October 13, 2026.
The real exam, as New Mexico's candidate handbook describes it
Questions
60
To pass
45 of 60 right (74%)
Time limit
60 minutes
Retakes
Three attempts at the knowledge and skill portions within 24 months of finishing training. After three failures on either part, an approved training program com
Parts
A multiple-choice knowledge (or audio) test and a skill test. Both parts must be passed.
Skill test
Three or four tasks in 30 minutes. The first is a mandatory task with hand washing. All critical steps and 80% of the other steps on each task.
Languages
English and Spanish. An audio version is requested before the testing fee is paid.
Minimum age
16 to test.
Who gives it
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster). The New Mexico Health Care Authority approves the test plan and keeps the Nurse Aide Registry.
Renewal
Every 24 months, online, with at least eight consecutive hours of paid nurse aide work in that time. Renewal stays open for 30 days after expiry.
A physician orders a walking program and a therapist starts it. What is the nursing staff's part under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(C), Rehabilitative measures. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
How does the outer layer of the skin change with aging, by the National Institute on Aging?National Institute on Aging, Skin Care and Aging, How does skin change as you age?. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
How often are education programs on topics such as rehabilitative therapy, oral health care and wheelchair safety held for direct care staff in New Mexico?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(F)(1), Nursing in-service. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
New Mexico's long term care rule has nursing personnel give care that maintains current functioning and improves a resident's ability to carry out what?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(B)(2), Individual care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
Under New Mexico's long term care rule, good body alignment and proper positioning are kept up to prevent what?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(B)(2), Individual care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
Unless a physician orders otherwise, what does New Mexico's rule say about a resident's time in bed?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(B)(3), Individual care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Aging process and restorative care.
Show all 70 questions (64 more)
Basic nursing skills 6
A resident is confined to bed. What does New Mexico's rule require on the bedside stand?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.52(E)(7), Drinking water. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
Except in an emergency, on what is oxygen given to a New Mexico nursing home resident?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.46, Use of oxygen. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
How is an oxygen tank kept when it is placed at a resident's bedside?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.69(B), Oxygen. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
How often, at the least, are oxygen cannulas, hoses and humidifier bottles in use at the bedside changed?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.69(D), Oxygen. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
How often, at the least, does New Mexico's rule call for a complete change of bed linen?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(A)(2), Hygiene. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
What helps prevent pressure sores in a person who sits or lies in one position for a long time, by the National Institute on Aging?National Institute on Aging, Skin Care and Aging, For caregivers. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Basic nursing skills.
Care impaired 2
How long, at the least, is the dementia training that New Mexico requires of direct care service staff in long-term care facilities?8.370.11 NMAC, Long-Term Care Facility Dementia Training, 8.370.11.9(A), Course of education. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Care impaired.
Which of these may make a person with Alzheimer's disease feel confused or nervous, by the National Institute on Aging?National Institute on Aging, Adapting Activities for People With Alzheimer's Disease, Holidays. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Care impaired.
Communication 6
A resident has a significant accident. Besides the physician, who is notified promptly under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.43(A), Changes in condition. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
How are a new resident's rights explained at admission under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(T)(1), Notification. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
What does New Mexico's rights rule say about a resident's use of a telephone?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(A)(2), Communications. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
What happens before nursing personnel begin hands-on care on a tour of duty, under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.51(A), Nursing staff. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
Who is told first of any significant change in a resident's condition, under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(B)(4), Individual care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
Who may direct that a resident's incoming mail be opened, delayed or held?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(A)(1), Communications. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Communication.
Data collection 4
A resident who eats well refuses most of two meals. What does New Mexico's rule say about a significant change from normal eating?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(E)(4), Nourishment. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Data collection.
How often is the use of a restraint noted, dated and documented in the clinical record?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.45(G), Records. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Data collection.
How often, at the least, is a resident's care plan evaluated and updated under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.47(B), Resident care planning. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Data collection.
What does nursing documentation of an incident or accident include, under New Mexico's medical record rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.32(C)(4), Medical records content. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Data collection.
Disease process 5
Heat stroke is a medical emergency in which the body's temperature rises above what, by the National Institute on Aging?National Institute on Aging, Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults, Heat-related illnesses. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Disease process.
In New Mexico's long term care rule, a developmental disability is one manifested before the person reaches what age?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.7(D)(1), Definitions. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Disease process.
On what is retesting residents for tuberculosis infection based, under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(D), Tuberculosis retesting. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Disease process.
Shingles is caused by the same virus as which illness, by the National Institute on Aging?National Institute on Aging, Shingles, opening paragraph. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Disease process.
What causes isolated systolic hypertension, the most common form of high blood pressure in older adults?National Institute on Aging, High Blood Pressure and Older Adults, What is blood pressure?. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Disease process.
Infection control 6
A comb and a razor are used for more than one resident. When are they disinfected?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.68, Disinfection of resident grooming utensils. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
An aide has an infected skin lesion. Under New Mexico's rule, who can authorize the aide to work?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(C), Disease surveillance and control. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
Before a new employee of a New Mexico nursing home begins work, what must a physician certify in writing?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(B), Physical health certifications. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
How often are a bedfast resident's water pitcher and glass sanitized under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.52(E)(7), Drinking water. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
When are reusable oral and rectal thermometers cleaned and disinfected?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.64(B), Thermometers. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
When may a wash basin or bedpan given to one resident be used for another?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.64(A), Personal need items. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Infection control.
Mental health 3
How does New Mexico's incident reporting rule describe mental anguish?8.370.9 NMAC, Incident Reporting, Intake, Processing and Training Requirements, 8.370.9.7(R), Definitions. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Mental health.
What must a New Mexico nursing home's activities program be designed to meet?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.62(A)(2), Activities. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Mental health.
Why is each new resident interviewed by the social service designee before or at admission, under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.61(C)(1), Social services. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Mental health.
Personal care 4
A resident is not bedfast. What does New Mexico's rule say about dressing?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(A)(3), Hygiene. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Personal care.
What is the longest span New Mexico's rule allows between a substantial evening meal and the next breakfast?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.52(E)(1), Meal service schedule. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Personal care.
When are nourishments offered routinely to all residents, if diet and condition allow?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.52(E)(6), Snacks. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Personal care.
Why are adaptive self-help devices made available at meals under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.42(E)(2), Adaptive devices. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Personal care.
Resident rights 6
A husband and wife live in the same New Mexico facility. What does the rights rule say about their room?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(G)(1), Privacy. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
A resident wants to complain about care to the administrator. What does New Mexico's rights rule protect?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(C), Grievances. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
How often, at the least, does a facility give a resident a statement of the funds it holds for the resident?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(D)(3), Finances. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
May a New Mexico nursing home require a resident to work for the facility?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(H), Work. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
What may a resident's identification tag never publicly show, under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(Q)(4), Non-discriminatory treatment. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
Who needs a resident's permission to be present during an examination or treatment?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.22(G)(2), Privacy. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Resident rights.
Role and responsibility 6
An aide reports suspected neglect in good faith. What does New Mexico's incident reporting rule say about retaliation?8.370.9 NMAC, Incident Reporting, Intake, Processing and Training Requirements, 8.370.9.8(D), Retaliation. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
By when must every employee be oriented to residents' rights and to the employee's position and duties?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(E)(1), Orientation for all employees. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
In New Mexico's incident reporting rule, immediate reporting means as soon as practicable and no later than how long after knowledge of the incident?8.370.9 NMAC, Incident Reporting, Intake, Processing and Training Requirements, 8.370.9.7(K), Definitions. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
New Mexico's long term care rule lists as exploitation accepting a gift from a resident or family with a value above what amount?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.7(E), Definition of exploitation. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
What is the youngest age at which a person may be employed to give direct care to residents in a New Mexico nursing home?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(A), Qualifications and restrictions. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
Which resident care duties may an employee be assigned under New Mexico's rule?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.27(E)(3), Assignments. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Role and responsibility.
Safety 6
A restraint is applied in an emergency without an order. Within how long must a physician authorize its continued use?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.45(C), Emergencies. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
Besides each resident's bed, where does New Mexico's rule put a nurse call station?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.75, Nurse call system. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
How often, at the least, are restraints released for toileting, hydration and exercise?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.45(F), Periodic care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
How often, at the least, do nursing personnel check a physically restrained resident?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.45(F), Periodic care. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
What kind of physical restraint does New Mexico's rule allow?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.45(E), Type of restraints. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
Where are No Smoking signs posted when oxygen is in use in a resident's room?8.370.16 NMAC, Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities, 8.370.16.46, Use of oxygen. Outline: New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, Knowledge Exam subject area Safety.
New Mexico's test and registry rules 10
A New Mexico nurse aide gets notice of a substantiated finding of abuse. Within how long must a hearing be requested in writing?8.370.25 NMAC, Hearing Requirements for Certified Nurse Aides, 8.370.25.10(E), Notification.
Besides English, in which language is New Mexico's knowledge exam offered?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Alternate Language Version.
How long after a New Mexico certification expires may an aide still renew without testing?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Registry Renewal.
How many attempts does a New Mexico candidate have at the knowledge and skill portions, and within what time of finishing training?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Test Attempts.
New Mexico's knowledge exam has 60 multiple-choice questions. How many minutes are allowed?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Knowledge Exam Information.
To renew on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry, what paid nurse aide work is needed in the previous twenty-four months?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Registry Renewal.
What is the first task of every New Mexico skill test?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Skill Test Tasks.
What is the minimum age to take New Mexico's nurse aide exam?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Introduction.
What passes a task on New Mexico's skill test?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, The Manual Demonstration Skill Test.
What score passes the knowledge portion of New Mexico's nurse aide exam?New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook, effective October 1, 2026, Knowledge Exam Information.
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Knowledge Exam Subject Areas in the New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook of D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), effective October 1, 2026 (https://hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/New%20Mexico/forms/NM%20NA%20Candidate%20Handbook%2010.2026.pdf, linked from https://hdmaster.com/testing/cnatesting/New%20Mexico/NM_CNA_Home.htm; read 2026-10-13). The handbook gives 60 questions in twelve subject areas: Aging Process and Restorative Care 6, Basic Nursing Skills 6, Care Impaired 2, Communication 6, Data Collection 4, Disease Process 5, Infection Control 6, Mental Health 3, Personal Care 4, Resident Rights 6, Role and Responsibility 6, Safety 6. This bank holds the same counts, plus 10 questions on New Mexico's own test and registry rules. Every fact was read on 2026-10-13 in the public source the question names: the New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 8, Chapter 370, Parts 9, 11, 16 and 25 (the State Records Center and Archives copy, https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title08/08.370.0016.html), the handbook, and pages of the National Institute on Aging. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
Free New Mexico CNA practice with no account: 70 questions of our own, each with its source. It is unofficial and not affiliated with the New Mexico Health Care Authority or D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster), which gives the real exam.
Read the full guide
The twelve subject areas
New Mexico's test plan spreads 60 questions over twelve subject areas, by the candidate handbook effective October 1, 2026. Seven areas carry 6 questions each, and care impaired, the smallest, carries 2. The bank matches each count.
Written from New Mexico's rules
Most of the bank, 55 questions, is written from Title 8, Chapter 370 of the New Mexico Administrative Code. A restrained resident is checked every 30 minutes and released every two hours, bed linen is changed at least weekly, and accepting a gift above $25 counts as exploitation.
Sources you can open
Every explanation names the rule section, the handbook heading or the National Institute on Aging page it rests on. None of the questions is taken from the real exam or from the handbook's samples.
Ten questions are about the exam and the registry: timing, the 74% pass mark, attempts and renewal.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the New Mexico CNA exam?
60 multiple-choice questions, with 60 minutes to finish and 74% or better to pass. Those figures are from the New Mexico Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook effective October 1, 2026, which also offers the exam in Spanish and in an audio version.
How many times can you take the CNA test in New Mexico?
The handbook allows three attempts within 24 months of completing training to pass the knowledge and skill portions. A candidate who fails either part three times completes an approved training program before testing again.
Who keeps the CNA registry in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Health Care Authority. Its Nurse Aide Registry lists aides who meet federal and state requirements, with any substantiated finding of abuse, neglect, misappropriation or exploitation. Testing and renewals run through Headmaster's New Mexico TMU site.
How does CNA reciprocity work in New Mexico?
An aide who is current and in good standing on another state's registry files the Out-of-State Reciprocity Application in New Mexico TMU. The Health Care Authority then decides whether the aide is added to the New Mexico registry.
How do you renew a CNA certification in New Mexico?
Online, every 24 months. The handbook asks for at least eight consecutive hours of paid nurse aide work in that period and allows 30 days past the expiry date. Later than that, the exam is taken again.