Nevada CNA Skills Test: Every Skill and Critical Step
Nevada’s CNA skills test is given by D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster). Below: the test format, every skill on the list, and one skill in full.
The test
- Tested by
- D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)
- Skills on the test
- 3-4 tasks
- Time allowed
- 30 minutes
- Skills on the list
- 20
- Critical steps marked
- 42
How it is scored: Every critical (bold) step correct and at least 80% of the non-key steps on each task. Steps that are only said or simulated do not count.
Hand hygiene: The first task is always one of 4 mandatory tasks that end with full soap-and-water hand washing. Every other task starts and ends with a scored 'perform hand hygiene' step.
The 20 skills on the list
- Assist a Resident with a Bedpan with Hand Washing
- Catheter Care with Hand Washing
- Don an Isolation Gown and Gloves, Empty a Urinary Drainage Bag, Measure and Record Output, Remove Gown and Gloves with Hand Washing
- Perineal Care for a Female Resident with Hand Washing
- Ambulation with a Gait Belt
- Apply a Knee-High Anti-Embolic Stocking
- Assist a Dependent Resident with a Meal
- Denture Care - Upper or Lower Plate
- Dress a Bedridden Resident
- Foot Care - One Foot
- Make an Occupied Bed
- Modified Bed Bath - Face and One Arm, Hand and Underarm
- Mouth Care - Brush a Resident's Teeth
- Pivot Transfer a Weight-Bearing, Non-Ambulatory Resident from Bed to Wheelchair Using a Gait Belt
- Range of Motion for Hip and Knee
- Range of Motion for One Shoulder
- Reposition a Resident on Their Side in Bed
- Vital Signs - Count and Record Radial Pulse and Respirations
- Vital Signs - Take and Record a Manual Blood Pressure
- Weigh an Ambulatory Resident
One skill in full: Assist a Resident with a Bedpan with Hand Washing
- Knock on the door.
- Perform hand hygiene (clean your hands).
- Tell the resident what you are going to do.
- Give privacy by pulling the curtain.
- Put on gloves BEFORE handling the bedpan. (critical)
- Raise the bed.
- Place the resident on the bedpan correctly, using good body mechanics.
- Raise the head of the bed to a comfortable level.
- Hand the resident tissue.
- Hand the call light to the resident.
- Leave the area until you are called.
- Wash and dry, or help the resident wash and dry, their hands (wet washcloth or disposable wipe).
- Put soiled linen in the proper container, or throw wipes in the trash.
- Lower the head of the bed BEFORE removing the bedpan.
- Gently remove the bedpan and hold it while the RN Test Observer pours liquid into it.
- Lower the bed.
- Empty the bedpan into the toilet/commode.
- Rinse the equipment.
- Empty the rinse water into the toilet/commode.
- Dry the equipment.
- Put the equipment away.
- Take off your gloves inside out without contaminating yourself and throw them in the proper container.
- Stay respectful and courteous with the resident the whole time.
- Hand the call light to the resident.
- Hand washing: turn on the water.
- Wet your hands thoroughly BEFORE putting on soap.
- Put soap on your hands.
- Rub your soapy hands together with friction for at least 20 seconds.
- With fingers pointing down, rub your interlaced fingers together with soap and friction.
- Clean under your fingernails with soap.
- Wash every surface of your hands and wrists with soap.
- Rinse your hands well under running water, fingers pointing down.
- Dry your hands with clean paper towel(s), starting at the fingertips and moving up to the wrists.
- Turn off the faucet with the last clean, dry paper towel.
- Throw the paper towels in the trash as you use them.
- Do not recontaminate your hands at any point during hand washing. (critical)
Steps are written in our words from D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster)’s candidate handbook (Nevada Candidate Handbook, effective July 1, 2026), in the same order, with critical steps as the handbook marks them. The handbook is the final word.
Also for the Nevada exam
Practise the written part with the Nevada CNA practice test, and check a certification on the Nevada nurse aide registry.