Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination study guide

Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination, administered by Maryland Board of Nursing (mbon.maryland.gov), is mapped here as 8 topic areas; the heaviest are ADLs & Personal Care (16%), Infection Control & PPE (15%) and Safety & Body Mechanics (14%).

About this course: Review nurse-aide knowledge and care of older adults. Choose the testing provider named on your registration.

Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination at a glance

Questions

70

Time allowed

written ~ program-set

Standard / edition

current MD GNA standards + Credentia handbook (2024+)

Administered by

Maryland Board of Nursing (mbon.maryland.gov)

Source: current MD GNA standards + Credentia handbook (2024+), Maryland Board of Nursing (mbon.maryland.gov). Confirm current details with the exam owner before you book.

Topic areas and weights

Study plan in this course

1. ADLs & Personal Care: Activities of Daily Living & Personal Care — 10 cards · free
2. Infection Control & PPE — 6 cards · free
3. Safety & Body Mechanics: Safety, Transfers & Body Mechanics — 7 cards · full course
4. Vital Signs & Reporting: Vital Signs, Data Collection & Reporting — 8 cards · full course
5. Restorative & Independence: Restorative Care & Independence — 6 cards · full course
6. Geriatric & Dementia Care: Geriatric Overlay: Aging, Dementia & Conditions — 10 cards · full course
7. Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting — 8 cards · full course
8. Skills Evaluation: The 5-Skill Evaluation & Indirect-Care Steps — 6 cards · full course

ADLs & Personal Care

ADLs & Personal Care carries 16% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 2 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Activities of Daily Living & Personal Care.

What ADLs & Personal Care covers

• What is the safe water temperature for bathing an older adult, and how do you check it? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• How often must you reposition a bedbound resident to prevent pressure injuries, and what early sign must you report? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for ADLs & Personal Care

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 10 memory cards and 10 module-quiz questions and is part of the free starting modules.

Infection Control & PPE

Infection Control & PPE carries 15% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the second-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 3 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Infection Control & PPE.

What Infection Control & PPE covers

• When must you use SOAP AND WATER instead of an alcohol hand sanitizer? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• What is the correct ORDER to PUT ON PPE before entering a room? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• What is the correct ORDER to REMOVE PPE when leaving a room? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Infection Control & PPE

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 6 memory cards and 7 module-quiz questions and is part of the free starting modules.

Safety & Body Mechanics

Safety & Body Mechanics carries 14% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the third-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 1 concept. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Safety, Transfers & Body Mechanics.

What Safety & Body Mechanics covers

• What are the four rules of good body mechanics when lifting or moving a resident? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Safety & Body Mechanics

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 7 memory cards and 7 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Vital Signs & Reporting

Vital Signs & Reporting carries 12% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the 5th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 2 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Vital Signs, Data Collection & Reporting.

What Vital Signs & Reporting covers

• How do you count a resident's respirations, and why do you keep it secret? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• Which findings must be reported to the nurse RIGHT AWAY? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Vital Signs & Reporting

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 8 memory cards and 9 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Restorative & Independence

Restorative & Independence carries 10% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the 6th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 1 concept. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Restorative Care & Independence.

What Restorative & Independence covers

• What are the signs of a possible DVT in the leg, and what must you NOT do? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Restorative & Independence

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 6 memory cards and 7 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Geriatric & Dementia Care

Geriatric & Dementia Care carries 13% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the 4th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 1 concept. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Geriatric Overlay: Aging, Dementia & Conditions.

What Geriatric & Dementia Care covers

• Which changes are NORMAL with aging? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Geriatric & Dementia Care

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 10 memory cards and 10 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting

Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting carries 10% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the 7th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 2 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting.

What Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting covers

• List FOUR privacy and dignity rules for giving personal care. — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• What does HIPAA require you to do with a resident's personal information? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Residents' Rights & Abuse Reporting

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 8 memory cards and 9 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Skills Evaluation

Skills Evaluation carries 10% of the Maryland Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination blueprint used in this course, the 8th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 4 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: The 5-Skill Evaluation & Indirect-Care Steps.

What Skills Evaluation covers

• How many skills are tested in the MD GNA Skills Evaluation, and what does it take to pass? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• Name the 5 Indirect-Care steps that are scored on EVERY skill in the evaluation. — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• When measuring a vital sign as a skill, what four things must you do to get a Satisfactory rating? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• What is the single best strategy for keeping indirect-care points during any skill? — Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

Official references for Skills Evaluation

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum

In the app this area comes with 6 memory cards and 7 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Official references

• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook + Maryland Board of Nursing standard nurse-aide curriculum
• Maryland Credentia GNA / Nurse Aide candidate handbook
• Maryland Board of Nursing
• CDC hand hygiene & standard precautions guidance
• MedlinePlus / NIH
• American Red Cross / American Heart Association first-aid & emergency guidance