California Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Exam

Who is typically the direct supervisor of a CNA?

1. Physician

2. Charge nurse

3. Administrator

4. Director of nursing

The correct answer is: Charge nurse

The charge nurse typically serves as the direct supervisor of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). This role involves overseeing the daily activities of nursing staff, including CNAs, to ensure that patient care is conducted properly and efficiently. The charge nurse communicates patient care plans, assigns tasks, and provides guidance and support to CNAs. This supervisory relationship is essential for maintaining a cohesive care team and ensuring that the needs of the patients are met effectively. Other roles, such as the physician and the administrator, have more overarching responsibilities that do not involve direct supervision of CNAs on a daily basis. The physician is focused on medical decisions and treatments, while the administrator oversees the overall operations of the healthcare facility without being directly involved in the daily nursing activities. The director of nursing has a broader management role that entails overseeing nursing staff and departments, but the charge nurse is the one directly supervising CNAs in their day-to-day tasks on the floor.