Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of an activity of daily living (ADL)?

1. Praying

2. Eating

3. Reading

4. Talking to a family member

The correct answer is: Eating

Eating is considered an activity of daily living (ADL) because it is a fundamental self-care task that individuals perform on a daily basis to maintain their health and well-being. Activities of daily living refer to the basic tasks that are essential for self-care and include various physical functions that a person needs to accomplish in order to live independently and maintain their quality of life. The other choices listed, while they may be important for mental, emotional, or social well-being, do not fall under the standard definition of ADLs. Praying, reading, and talking to a family member primarily relate to personal or social activities rather than the essential self-care activities needed for day-to-day living. ADLs typically encompass tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and, of course, eating.