Michigan Nurse Aide Practice Test

Sample Questions and Answers

Question 1.
A resident is scheduled to receive assistance with a bath. When the nurse aide enters the room, the resident says, “I don’t want a bath right now. I would rather do it after lunch.” What should the nurse aide do?

A. Tell the resident that the bathing schedule cannot be changed
B. Ask another aide to convince the resident to take the bath
C. Respect the resident’s preference and report or communicate the change according to facility procedure
D. Leave without documenting or communicating the resident’s decision

Correct Answer. C

Explanation:
Residents have the right to participate in decisions about their care and to express reasonable preferences. If a resident declines a bath at the scheduled time and requests another appropriate time, the nurse aide should respect the preference while following the facility’s procedures for communicating changes in care. Forcing or pressuring the resident would not respect the person’s rights or dignity. The aide should also ensure that the change does not create a safety or care concern. If the requested time is not possible, the aide should communicate this appropriately rather than simply refusing the request. Respectful communication helps maintain trust and supports person-centered care.

Question 2.
A nurse aide is helping a resident who has limited mobility transfer from the bed to a wheelchair. Before beginning the transfer, which action is most important?

A. Place the wheelchair as far from the bed as possible
B. Make sure the wheelchair is secured and positioned appropriately
C. Ask the resident to stand without assistance to test their balance
D. Remove the resident’s footwear to make movement easier

Correct Answer. B

Explanation:
The wheelchair should be positioned correctly and secured before the transfer begins. Locking the wheelchair brakes helps prevent unexpected movement that could cause the resident to lose balance or fall. The aide should also follow the resident’s care plan and use the required transfer technique or equipment. Asking a resident with limited mobility to stand independently simply to test balance creates an unnecessary safety risk. Removing footwear can also reduce traction and increase the possibility of slipping. Safe transfers require preparation before movement begins, clear communication with the resident, and adherence to the resident’s prescribed level of assistance.

Question 3.
While assisting a resident with lunch, a nurse aide notices that the resident repeatedly coughs after swallowing liquids and develops a wet-sounding voice. What should the aide do?

A. Encourage the resident to drink faster so the meal can be completed
B. Continue feeding but offer larger amounts at a time
C. Stop and follow the resident’s care instructions while promptly reporting the observation
D. Give the resident solid food instead of liquids without consulting anyone

Correct Answer. C

Explanation:
Repeated coughing after swallowing and a wet or gurgly voice can indicate difficulty swallowing and may place the resident at risk of aspiration. The nurse aide should not independently change the resident’s diet or swallowing plan. Instead, the aide should follow the resident’s existing care instructions, stop or pause feeding when appropriate, and promptly report the observation to the nurse according to facility procedure. Offering larger amounts or encouraging faster drinking could increase the risk of aspiration. Changing food or liquid consistency without authorization is also inappropriate. Careful observation and timely reporting allow the appropriate healthcare professional to evaluate the situation.

Question 4.
A nurse aide has finished providing perineal care to a resident. Which action should the aide take before leaving the room?

A. Remove gloves and immediately leave without further hand hygiene
B. Place used supplies on the bedside table for the next caregiver
C. Dispose of contaminated materials appropriately, remove gloves, and perform hand hygiene
D. Keep the gloves on while documenting the care

Correct Answer. C

Explanation:
After providing perineal care, the aide must properly handle contaminated materials and perform hand hygiene after removing gloves. Gloves protect the caregiver from exposure, but they do not replace hand hygiene. Used supplies should be discarded or handled according to infection-control procedures rather than placed on a clean bedside surface. Continuing to wear contaminated gloves while documenting care could transfer microorganisms to equipment, paperwork, or other surfaces. Proper sequencing of cleanup, glove removal, and hand hygiene helps reduce the spread of microorganisms between residents, caregivers, and the surrounding environment.

Question 5.
During an afternoon round, a nurse aide notices that a resident who is normally talkative is unusually withdrawn and has eaten very little. The resident says, “I just don’t feel like myself today.” What is the best action for the nurse aide?

A. Assume the resident is simply having a bad day
B. Document and promptly report the change in behavior and intake to the nurse
C. Tell the resident to eat more before reporting anything
D. Give the resident a snack and wait until the next shift to mention it

Correct Answer. B

Explanation:
A noticeable change from a resident’s normal behavior and eating pattern should be taken seriously and reported promptly. Nurse aides are often in a good position to recognize changes because they regularly observe residents during daily activities. The aide should document observations according to facility policy and communicate the change to the nurse or appropriate supervisor. The aide should not assume the resident is merely having a bad day or attempt to determine the medical cause independently. Changes in appetite, behavior, mood, or usual activity can provide important information about a resident’s condition and may require further assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.