CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs Certification Exam — Information & Free Practice

About CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs Certification Exam

CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs Certification Exam · CA

Key exam facts

Provider

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) owns the Certification Program; the specialty exam committee approves competencies and sets the pass mark. The blueprint was developed collaboratively with YAS and Canadian specialty nurses. Current testing consultants are Meazure Learning; remote appointments use ProctorU and in-person appointments use Meazure Learning.

Format

Computer-based multiple-choice knowledge examination for licensed/registered practical nurses caring for adults. Offered with remote online proctoring or in-person at select Canadian test centres. The blueprint specifies 60–75% independent and 25–40% case-based questions; this four-option practice bank does not claim to reproduce the official case-linked distribution.

Exam questions

Total questions: 160–165.

Time limit

Four hours (240 minutes) to answer the examination questions. This is answering time, separate from preparation and appointment check-in.

Passing score

The numerical pass mark is not published. Each specialty committee sets a criterion-referenced standard using a modified Angoff method, supported by statistical analysis; results are reported as pass or unsuccessful.

Exam fee

CNA lists application fees of $588 for CNA members and $780 for non-members; the application fee includes a non-refundable $130 administrative fee. A separate writing appointment costs $85 online or $110 in person. Reduced rewrite application fees are $378/$500 (member/non-member) for an unsuccessful candidate's next two calendar years. Applicable taxes are additional. Dollar amounts are reproduced as listed on the Canadian CNA fee schedule; that page does not explicitly label an ISO currency code.

Topics covered

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

• Neurological System — Official range: 8–12% (Practice allocation: 10.1%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • neuromuscular diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, ALS, MS);
  • altered levels of consciousness (e.g., postoperative delirium, sepsis);
  • cerebrovascular incidences (e.g., transient ischemic attacks, cerebrovascular accidents);
  • seizures/status epilepticus;
  • spinal cord injuries;
  • head injuries (e.g., concussions, hematomas);
  • headaches (e.g., cluster, tension, migraines); and
  • cancers (e.g., brain, spinal cord, non-malignant).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • lumbar punctures;
  • diagnostics (e.g., MRI, CT, angiograms, EEG); and
  • neurological surgeries (e.g., craniotomies, discectomies, shunts).
  • Assesses the neurological system for subtle changes using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • motor sensory assessments;
  • cognitive screenings;
  • laboratory results; and
  • information obtained from the client and family.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with neurological needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor neurological status by:
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention, seizure precautions, behavioural management); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image, sexuality).
  • Recognizes and manages actual and potential neurological complications (e.g., bleeding/hemorrhage, headaches, seizures, anxiety, depression, withdrawal).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with neurological care needs (e.g., adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with neurological care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (EENT) System — Official range: 3–7% (Practice allocation: 5.05%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • inflammatory and infectious processes (e.g., stomatitis, pharyngitis, epiglottitis, sinusitis);
  • hearing impairment (e.g., sensorineural, conductive);
  • visual impairment (e.g., macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma);
  • facial trauma (e.g., fractures, reconstructions);
  • epistaxis; and
  • cancers (e.g., oral-pharyngeal, thyroid, esophageal).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • incision and drainage;
  • nasal packing;
  • swallowing assessments;
  • eye surgery (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma); and
  • neck and throat surgery (e.g., tonsillectomy, thyroidectomy, tracheotomy).
  • Assesses the EENT system using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • physical assessments; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with EENT needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor EENT status by:
  • maintaining adequate airway;
  • optimizing oxygenation;
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • providing nutritional support and monitoring;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., wire cutters, tracheostomy tray, fall risk prevention);
  • addressing impaired communication (e.g., oral, visual, auditory); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image).
  • Recognizes and manages EENT complications (e.g., bleeding/hemorrhage, airway patency).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with EENT care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with EENT care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, health promotion, community resources).

• Cardiovascular System — Official range: 8–12% (Practice allocation: 10.1%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • heart failure (e.g., pulmonary edema);
  • venous thromboembolism;
  • acute coronary syndromes;
  • heart conduction disturbances;
  • infectious and inflammatory processes (e.g., endocarditis, pericarditis, systemic sepsis);
  • hypertension/hypotension;
  • shock;
  • vascular diseases; and
  • cardiac arrest.
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • vascular access devices;
  • diagnostic tests (e.g., exercise tolerance test, non-stress test, electrocardiograms);
  • pacemaker;
  • angiograms, angioplasty and cardioversion; and
  • vascular surgery (e.g., femoral popliteal bypass, stenting, CABG).
  • Assesses the cardiovascular system using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • weight gain/loss;
  • cardiac and vascular assessments;
  • laboratory results; and
  • cardiac equipment (e.g., resuscitation, telemetry, ECGs).
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with cardiovascular needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor cardiovascular status by:
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., sexuality).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential cardiovascular complications (e.g., embolisms, bleeding/hemorrhage, shock).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with cardiovascular care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with cardiovascular care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Respiratory System — Official range: 8–12% (Practice allocation: 10.1%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • partial and complete airway obstruction (e.g., foreign bodies, mucus plugs);
  • restrictive lung diseases (e.g., pneumonia);
  • obstructive lung diseases (e.g., COPD, emphysema, asthma);
  • interstitial lung diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis);
  • pulmonary emboli;
  • atelectasis and pleural effusion;
  • hemo/pneumothorax and empyema;
  • dyspnea and tachypnea;
  • sleep apnea; and
  • cancers (e.g., lung, esophageal).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • chest tube (e.g., insertion, removal, maintenance);
  • pleurocentesis;
  • pleurodesis;
  • diagnostic tests (e.g., bronchoscopy, pulmonary function test); and
  • surgery (e.g., lobectomy, tracheostomy, pneumonectomy, thoracotomy).
  • Assesses the respiratory system using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • fluid balance;
  • physical assessments; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with respiratory needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor respiratory status by:
  • maintaining adequate airways;
  • managing non-invasive positive pressure ventilation devices (e.g., CPAP, Bi-PAP);
  • optimizing gaseous exchange (e.g., positioning, mobilizing, pain management, oxygen delivery and titration, suctioning);
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs.
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential respiratory complications (e.g., embolisms, bleeding/hemorrhage, infection).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with respiratory care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with respiratory care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Gastrointestinal System — Official range: 6–10% (Practice allocation: 8.08%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • mechanical gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., bowel obstruction, constipation, diarrhea, hernia, dysphagia, ischemia);
  • gastrointestinal and dietary disorders (e.g., pancreatitis, GERD, appendicitis, pernicious anemia);
  • liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatic failure);
  • inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis);
  • irritable bowel syndrome;
  • gallbladder diseases (e.g., cholelithiasis, cholecystitis);
  • gastrointestinal bleeds (e.g., esophageal varices, peptic ulcers, upper and lower bleeds); and
  • cancers (e.g., bowel, pancreatic).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • diagnostic imaging (e.g., upper and lower GI series);
  • scopes;
  • insertion of enteral feeding tubes (e.g., PEG);
  • paracentesis; and
  • surgery (e.g., ostomies, resections, bariatric).
  • Assesses the gastrointestinal system using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • fluid balance;
  • weight gain/loss;
  • abdominal assessments;
  • nutritional assessments; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with gastrointestinal needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor gastrointestinal health and function by:
  • managing nasogastric tubes, rectal tubes, drains and ostomies;
  • performing physical assessments;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing and monitoring nutritional support (e.g., total parenteral nutrition, enteral feeding, therapeutic diets);
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention, safe patient handling); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image, sexuality).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential gastrointestinal complications (e.g., obstructions, paralytic ileus, wound dehiscence/evisceration, perforation).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with gastrointestinal care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with gastrointestinal care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, dietary teaching, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Genitourinary and Reproductive Systems — Official range: 6–10% (Practice allocation: 8.08%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • acute/chronic renal failure (e.g., rhabdomyolysis);
  • infections (e.g., UTI, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, cystitis);
  • incontinence, urinary retention and obstruction;
  • benign prostatic hypertrophy;
  • prolapse;
  • urolithiasis; and
  • cancers (e.g., renal, prostate, ovarian, breast).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • diagnostic imaging/procedure;
  • urinary diversions (e.g., drainage systems);
  • dialysis (e.g., peritoneal, hemodialysis);
  • nephrectomy and kidney transplant/donation;
  • male-specific surgical procedures (e.g., TURP);
  • female-specific surgical procedures (e.g., hysterectomy);
  • gender reassignment surgery; and
  • reconstructions (e.g., breast, urologic).
  • Assesses the genitourinary and/or reproductive systems using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • fluid balance;
  • urine/vaginal flow characteristics;
  • tube and drain assessments;
  • voiding patterns; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with genitourinary and reproductive needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor genitourinary and/or reproductive status by:
  • optimizing genitourinary function (e.g., early catheter removal, bladder training);
  • assessing the effects of nephrotoxic agents or delayed clearance (e.g., diuretics, vasopressors, antibiotics, radiographic dyes);
  • maintaining continuous bladder irrigation;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention, infection control); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image, sexuality, incontinence).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential genitourinary and/or reproductive complications (e.g., bleeding/hemorrhage, shock, infection).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with genitourinary and/or reproductive care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with genitourinary and/or reproductive care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7.07%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • osteoarthritis;
  • pathological, traumatic and surgical fractures;
  • muscle, soft tissue and ligament injuries;
  • infections (e.g., necrotizing fasciitis, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, abscesses, sepsis);
  • skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema);
  • ulcers (e.g., pressure, venous, arterial, diabetic); and
  • cancers (e.g., skin, bone).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • joint replacements and revisions;
  • casts/braces (e.g., backslabs, splints);
  • internal/external fixations (e.g., traction, pinning, plating, fusions);
  • amputations;
  • wounds (e.g., surgical wounds, skin grafts, pressure ulcers, burns); and
  • biopsies.
  • Assesses the musculoskeletal and integumentary system using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • neurological/vascular assessments;
  • physical assessments;
  • mobility assessments;
  • risk factor assessments (e.g., wound assessment tools); and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with musculoskeletal and integumentary needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor musculoskeletal and integumentary status by:
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • monitoring fluid and electrolyte balances;
  • managing changes in neurovascular assessment;
  • managing assistive devices (e.g., braces, walkers, prostheses);
  • promoting healthy skin (e.g., pressure redistribution strategies);
  • managing wounds (e.g., negative pressure therapy, wound care principles);
  • promoting optimal nutrition;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention, safe patient handling); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image, sexuality).
  • Manages actual or potential musculoskeletal and integumentary complications (e.g., embolisms, bleeding/hemorrhage, infection, compartment syndrome, wound dehiscence).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with musculoskeletal and integumentary care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with musculoskeletal and integumentary care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, safety, health promotion, community resources).

• Immunological, Hematological and Endocrinological Systems — Official range: 6–10% (Practice allocation: 8.08%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • diabetes;
  • thyroid conditions;
  • adrenal gland conditions;
  • blood dyscrasia;
  • immunosuppression;
  • autoimmune disorders; and
  • cancers (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • thyroidectomy;
  • pancreatectomy;
  • anti-neoplastic agents;
  • bone marrow aspirate;
  • blood and blood product transfusion;
  • hormone therapy; and
  • immunosuppressant therapy.
  • Assesses the immunological, hematological and endocrinological systems using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • physical assessments;
  • fluid balance;
  • weight gain/loss;
  • nutritional assessments;
  • neurological/vascular assessments; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with immunological, hematological and endocrinological needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor hematological and endocrinological status by:
  • managing blood glucose levels;
  • administering blood and blood products;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • promoting optimal nutrition;
  • initiating precautions (e.g., isolation);
  • providing and promoting a safe client environment (e.g., fall risk prevention); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., body image, sexuality).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential immunological, hematological and endocrinological complications (e.g., allergies, bleeding/hemorrhage, septic shock, infection).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with immunological, hematological and endocrinological care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with immunological, hematological and endocrinological care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, medication regimens, health promotion, community resources).

• Infectious Diseases — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7.07%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • drug-resistant organisms;
  • non-communicable infections;
  • communicable infections;
  • severe respiratory infection;
  • systemic inflammatory response syndrome;
  • emerging infections; and
  • sexually transmitted infections.
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • diagnostic tests;
  • wounds; and
  • infection control precautions.
  • Assesses client risk factors related to infectious diseases (e.g., social determinants of health).
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with infectious disease care needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor clients with infectious disease by:
  • initiating and maintaining isolation precautions for the nurse and/or family;
  • notifying an Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner and/or a public health agency;
  • collecting specimens;
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological strategies;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), fall risk prevention);
  • managing the psychosocial implications of living with communicable disease; and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., precautionary measures).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential complications related to infectious diseases (e.g., allergies, systemic complications, shock).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with infectious disease care needs (e.g., recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with infectious disease care needs (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, medication regimens, health promotion, community resources).

• Pain — Official range: 9–13% (Practice allocation: 11.11%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with acute or chronic:
  • neuropathic pain (e.g., trigeminal pain, phantom limb);
  • visceral pain (e.g., referred pain);
  • somatic pain (e.g., sprains, lacerations); and
  • psychogenic pain (e.g., emotional distress).
  • Cares for clients with or undergoing:
  • patient-controlled analgesia (PCA);
  • nerve blocks;
  • epidurals; and
  • intrathecals.
  • Assesses pain (e.g., functional limitations, physical examinations, psychosocial evaluations, pain scales, vital signs, pain history, pain management, subjective health status).
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with pain care needs by:
  • considering interactions between prescribed medications and substances; and
  • safely administering, monitoring and counselling regarding pharmacological therapies (e.g., opioid agonist therapies, anti-craving medication, relapse prevention medication, abstinence support).
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor clients dealing with pain by:
  • implementing and reassessing pain management regimens (e.g., breakthrough, mode of delivery);
  • administering adjuvant therapies (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sedatives);
  • implementing non-pharmacological therapies (e.g., relaxation, deep breathing, massage);
  • managing and monitoring side effects (e.g., constipation, nausea);
  • delivering appropriate pain control interventions for clients who use substances; and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs (e.g., palliative/end-of-life care, cultural care, spiritual care).
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential complications related to pain (e.g., allergies/sensitivities, respiratory distress).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with pain care needs (e.g., age-related medication considerations, recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients experiencing pain (e.g., the client’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, elimination, medication regimens, end- of-life care, health promotion, community resources).

• Mental Health — Official range: 6–10% (Practice allocation: 8.08%)

  • Recognizes clinical presentation of and cares for clients with:
  • pre-existing mental health conditions;
  • delirium;
  • dementia;
  • depression; and
  • substance dependency (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, illicit drugs, prescription drugs).
  • Assesses the mental health of clients using:
  • trending of vital signs;
  • screening tools;
  • medication history; and
  • laboratory results.
  • Determines the appropriate nursing diagnosis for clients with mental health care needs.
  • Plans appropriate interventions to manage and monitor mental health status by:
  • utilizing behaviour management techniques;
  • promoting the client’s independence and capabilities;
  • providing a safe client environment (e.g., crisis intervention, environmental modifications, constant care, minimizing risk factors, least restraints);
  • administering and monitoring pharmacological agents;
  • implementing non-pharmacological agents to manage underlying cause of behaviours (e.g., therapeutic communication, complementary therapies, family involvement, visualization, relaxation techniques, support groups); and
  • addressing the client’s/family’s psychosocial needs.
  • Recognizes and manages actual or potential complications related to mental health (e.g., safety, withdrawal, seizures, suicide, violence/aggression).
  • Routinely screens all clients for substance use to identify problematic use and opportunities to provide intervention (e.g., harm reduction, education, treatment).
  • Evaluates interventions for clients with mental health care needs (e.g., age-related medication considerations, recognizing subtle changes, adapting the plan, communicating/documenting the plan).
  • Develops an individualized teaching plan for clients with mental health care needs (e.g., the client’s and/or family’s readiness to learn, evaluating the client’s understanding, discharge planning, medication regimens, health promotion, community support).

• Professional, Legal and Ethical Competencies — Official range: 5–9% (Practice allocation: 7.07%)

  • Ensures client confidentiality and privacy (e.g., electronic health records, social media, over-capacity facilities).
  • Demonstrates accountability in nursing practice.
  • Prioritizes nursing care and adapts to varying or unexpected situations (e.g., staff shortages, skill mix changes, client acuity/intensity, working with unregulated health workers).
  • Provides interprofessional care (e.g., collaboration, communication, advocacy).
  • Approaches conflict situations in a constructive and collaborative manner and reports appropriately (e.g., violence, family conflict, abuse, aggression, neglect).
  • Recognizes ethical issues and seeks assistance in addressing them (e.g., refusal of blood products, patient’s right to refuse, withdrawal of treatment, culturally congruent care, advance health-care directives).
  • Respects the person’s values, beliefs and decisions related to MAiD even if they are different than the nurse’s own.
  • Understands that MAiD may have a personal impact affecting their practice and takes steps to seek support as needed.
  • Understands that symptoms have culture-specific meanings and that clients from diverse backgrounds will describe their symptoms differently, have different ideas of what might have caused them, have different acceptance, and have different ideas about what kind of treatment to seek.
  • Recognizes the value of Indigenous healing practices and uses them in treating Indigenous clients in collaboration with Indigenous healers and Elders when requested by Indigenous clients.
  • Participates in professional development.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs blueprint

  pp. 4–20, competency categories, specifications and full competency list

• CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs blueprint

  p. 4, Table 1: Competency Sampling

• CNA Exam Competencies & Blueprints

  Exam Competencies & Blueprints, introduction and LPN/RPN link

• CNA General Competencies

  General Competencies introduction

• CNA MAID Core Competencies

  Competencies, 3.1

• CNA Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety

  Competencies, 3.3

• CNA Substance Use Competencies

  Competencies, 1.1

• CNA Medical-Surgical Nursing for LPNs/RPNs blueprint

  p. 5, Structural Variables, Exam Length

• CNA CBT Exam Tips

  CBT exam tips, Budget your time

• CNA Exam Results and Retesting

  Exam Results and Retesting, standard setting

• CNA Exam Results and Retesting

  Exam Results and Retesting, pass-mark policy

• CNA Initial Exam Fees

  Initial Exam Fees, fee table and notes

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