• 50 questions

NOCTI Nursing Assisting Practice Test

Unofficial practice for NOCTI Nursing Assisting: basic skills, infection control, communication, personal care, resident rights, restorative care and safety.

Which connective tissue attaches a muscle to a bone?

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Exam mode: 50 questions, 48 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with NOCTI. Bank checked October 16, 2026.

Next step More care skills: CNA skills testMore nurse aide questions: CNA practice

All 50 questions

Basic Nursing Assisting Skills 11

  • A resident has had knee pain every day for a year. How does such chronic pain usually differ from acute pain when vital signs are taken? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 6 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • A resident near death breathes in an irregular pattern, with gaps of several seconds between runs of breaths. What is this pattern called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 6 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • A resident on daily weights is 4 pounds heavier than yesterday morning. What does the textbook say about a change of that size? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 7.6. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
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Basic Nursing Assisting Skills, continued

  • A resident sits leaning forward with both elbows on the overbed table and is working to breathe. Which name does this posture have? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 7 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • A resident with heart failure is weighed every day. Which routine keeps one day's weight comparable with the next? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 7.6. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • A resident's speech slurs and one hand goes weak, and a few minutes later both are normal again. Why is this ministroke still reported to the nurse? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 3.2. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • During postmortem care, what is a rolled towel placed under the chin for? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 6.7. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • Fluid leaves the body through breathing, sweat and stool and cannot be measured for an intake and output record. What are these losses called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 7 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • How does Sims' position differ from an ordinary side-lying position? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 8 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • Which connective tissue attaches a muscle to a bone? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 11.6. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills
  • While counting a radial pulse, a nursing assistant notices that the beats are uneven. For how long is the pulse best counted? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 7.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Basic Nursing Assisting Skills

Infection Control 3

  • A nurse sets up for a procedure that enters a sterile part of the body, so no microorganisms at all may be present. Which standard is this? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 4 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Infection Control
  • A nursing assistant has just finished care for a resident who has C. difficile. Which hand hygiene is required? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 4.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Infection Control
  • An isolation gown is being taken off after care. Which part of the gown is always treated as contaminated? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 4.5. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Infection Control

Communication Skills 5

  • A new resident's primary language is not English, and no one on the unit speaks it. What does the textbook say to seek? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 1.2. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Communication Skills
  • A nurse's note reads "c/o SOB when walking to the dining room." What does the abbreviation SOB stand for? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 3 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Communication Skills
  • A nursing assistant tells a coworker the facts of a problem and how she feels about it, without disrespecting the coworker's feelings. Which style of communication is this? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 1 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Communication Skills
  • Which standardized assessment tool is completed for every resident of a long-term care facility certified for Medicare or Medicaid payment? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 1 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Communication Skills
  • While a resident is still talking, a nursing assistant is busy preparing her own point of view. Which kind of listening is this? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 1 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Communication Skills

Personal Care Skills 5

  • A care plan calls for timed voiding. What does the nursing assistant do? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 5 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Personal Care Skills
  • A cup has a piece cut out of its rim. Which resident is a nosey cup meant for? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 5.7. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Personal Care Skills
  • After a sip of juice, a resident's voice sounds as if fluid is still sitting in the throat. What is this sign called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 5 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Personal Care Skills
  • Bed linens press on the toes of a resident who lies on the back most of the day. Which device keeps the sheets and blankets off the tops of the toes? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 8 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Personal Care Skills
  • In which order is a bath given, so that pathogens are not carried from one part of the body to another? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 5.6. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Personal Care Skills

Psychosocial and Cultural Needs 6

  • A resident is certain that the kitchen staff are poisoning the soup, and nothing anyone shows her changes the belief. What is such a fixed, false belief called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 10 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs
  • A resident who was clear-headed yesterday is suddenly confused today, and the nurse finds a medical cause. Which condition starts suddenly and can be reversed by treating its cause? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 10 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs
  • A resident with dementia understands the request to brush his teeth and his arm moves normally, yet he cannot start the motion. What is this impairment called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 10 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs
  • A resident with late-stage dementia asks when her mother is coming to take her home. Which technique supports the reality the person is experiencing? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 10 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs
  • An 82-year-old resident often looks back over her life and talks about what she is proud of. Which of Erikson's stages belongs to late adulthood? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 1.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs
  • Two residents have the same procedure. One says nothing and the other cries out. What does the textbook note about pain and cultural background? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 1.2. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Psychosocial and Cultural Needs

Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities 5

  • A letter arrives for a nursing home resident. What does the federal rule on resident rights give her in respect of mail? Federal nursing home requirements, 42 CFR 483.10 (ecfr.gov), paragraph (g)(8). Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities
  • A new nursing home resident wants to bring her own armchair and quilt. What does the federal list of resident rights say about personal possessions? Federal nursing home requirements, 42 CFR 483.10 (ecfr.gov), paragraph (e)(2). Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities
  • A provider is asked to write a restraint order "to use as needed" for a resident who sometimes pulls at a feeding tube. What do the federal guidelines say about such an order? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 8.7. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities
  • A resident shows bruises in the shape of fingers on the upper arm and flinches when touched. Why must a nursing assistant report this to the nurse? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 2 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities
  • Which federal law required national standards that keep sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 2.2. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities

Rehabilitation and Restorative Care 4

  • A nursing assistant moves a resident's relaxed shoulder through its motions while the resident does none of the work. Which kind of range of motion is this? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 9 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Rehabilitation and Restorative Care
  • A resident wears a brace that supports and aligns a weak ankle. What is a support, brace or splint of this kind called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 8 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Rehabilitation and Restorative Care
  • A resident with a weak right leg walks with a cane. On which side is the cane held? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 8.5. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Rehabilitation and Restorative Care
  • A resident's hands shake so much that food falls off the spoon. Which adaptive utensil is made for tremors or unsteady hands? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 9 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Rehabilitation and Restorative Care

Employability Skills 6

  • A certified nurse aide leaves health care and does no paid nursing-related work for a continuous stretch. After how long must a new training or competency evaluation program be completed? Federal nursing home requirements, 42 CFR 483.35 (ecfr.gov), paragraph (d)(6). Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills
  • After a hard shift, a nursing assistant tenses and releases each muscle group and pictures a calm scene. Which stress management technique is this? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 1 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills
  • Before accepting a delegated task, a nursing assistant checks the "4 S's." What are they? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 2.5. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills
  • How many hours of in-service training must a nursing home give its nurse aides each year, at the least? Federal nursing home requirements, 42 CFR 483.95 (ecfr.gov), paragraph (g). Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills
  • State employees arrive at a long-term care facility to watch care, review care plans and interview residents. How often does the textbook say such a standard survey typically takes place? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 2.2. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills
  • Under the federal rule that grew out of OBRA, how many clock hours must a state-approved nurse aide training program have at the least? Federal nursing home requirements, 42 CFR 483.152 (ecfr.gov), paragraph (a). Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Employability Skills

Safety and Mobility 5

  • A confused resident who cannot protect himself slips out of a side door, unsupervised and unnoticed. What is this event called? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, Chapter 2 glossary. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Safety and Mobility
  • A nursing assistant must turn while carrying a full laundry bag. How does good body mechanics say to turn? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 3.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Safety and Mobility
  • A resident is to be moved from bed to chair with a full-body mechanical lift. How many staff do most agencies require for the transfer? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 8.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Safety and Mobility
  • In the ABC memory aid for body mechanics, what do the three letters stand for? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 3.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Safety and Mobility
  • The legs of a portable full-body mechanical lift can be set open or closed. Why is the open position the more stable one? Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under CC BY 4.0, section 8.4. Written to NOCTI Nursing Assisting (4358), Safety and Mobility

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competency list of the Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Nursing Assisting (code 4358, version 01, copyright 2024) that NOCTI publishes at https://www.nocti.org/wp-content/uploads/Blueprints/JRNursingAsstg4358.pdf , read 2026-10-16: a written assessment of 187 questions in 3 hours over nine areas (Basic Nursing Assisting Skills 22%; Infection Control 6%; Communication Skills 10%; Personal Care Skills 10%; Psychosocial and Cultural Needs 11%; Ethics, Rights, and Legal Responsibilities 10%; Rehabilitation and Restorative Care 9%; Employability Skills 12%; Safety and Mobility 10%), plus a performance assessment of four jobs. This bank holds 50 in those proportions. Every fact in a question and its explanation was read on 2026-10-16 on the public page named under it: Nursing Assistant, an Open RN textbook published by WisTech Open under a Creative Commons BY 4.0 license (https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nurseassist/), and the federal nursing home rules in 42 CFR Part 483 on ecfr.gov. A clinical fact that neither source states was not asked. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The open textbook is used for facts only, and no text, table or example is copied from it.

How it works

Fifty questions of our own follow the nine areas of NOCTI's Nursing Assisting blueprint, Job Ready code 4358, in that blueprint's shares. This practice test is unofficial and not affiliated with NOCTI: exam practice, not medical advice.

Read the full guide

Nine areas, basic skills first

Basic Nursing Assisting Skills is 22% of the written assessment and Employability Skills 12%. Psychosocial and Cultural Needs is 11%; Communication Skills, Personal Care Skills, Ethics and Rights, and Safety and Mobility are 10% each; Rehabilitation and Restorative Care is 9% and Infection Control 6%.

The clock

The timed round gives 48 minutes for the 50 questions, the pace of the written assessment. NOCTI prints no passing score in this blueprint, so a round closes on a count of right answers by area.

Shown to an evaluator

The four performance jobs stay in the skills lab: putting on and taking off personal protective equipment, a set of vital signs, wheelchair assistance with a gait belt, and a modified bed bath.

  • Federal nurse aide numbers: 75 training hours at the least, 12 in-service hours a year, retraining after 24 months away from paid nursing work.
  • A cane goes on the stronger side. A bath runs head to toe, with the perineal area last.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the NOCTI Nursing Assisting test?

187, in a written assessment of 3 hours that a school may give in one, two or three sessions (Job Ready blueprint 4358). Four performance jobs follow, in 55 minutes more.

What is on the NOCTI Nursing Assisting test?

Vital signs, positioning, pain and end-of-life care; precautions and asepsis; communication and documentation; bathing, nutrition and toileting; dementia, behavior and culture; HIPAA, abuse reporting, restraints and rights; canes, range of motion and prosthetics; federal training rules and scope of practice; body mechanics, lifts and hazards.

Does the NOCTI Teacher test in nursing assisting cover the same areas?

Yes, all nine. The Teacher assessment, code 5294, asks 180 questions in 3 hours with slightly different weights, such as 23% for basic skills, and is taken at a NOCTI-approved Area Test Center.

Where can I find the NOCTI Nursing Assisting blueprint?

In the blueprint index at nocti.org/credentials/blueprints, where a search for Nursing Assisting brings up a free PDF: the nine competency lists, their shares, ten sample questions and the wheelchair job as a sample. The ten samples are left out of this page.

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