Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, which of the following needs must be met first?

1. Safety and security needs

2. Physical needs: Oxygen, water, food, elimination and rest

3. Love and belonging needs

4. Esteem needs

The correct answer is: Physical needs: Oxygen, water, food, elimination and rest

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that categorizes human needs into a five-tier model, often depicted as a pyramid. The most fundamental level of this hierarchy is comprised of physical needs, which include essential requirements such as oxygen, water, food, elimination, and rest. These needs are crucial for survival and must be satisfied before individuals can focus on higher-level needs. When these basic physical needs are not met, an individual's ability to function and pursue other needs—such as safety, love, or esteem—is significantly compromised. This foundational need for sustenance and care underpins all other aspects of life, making it imperative for them to be addressed first in the hierarchy. Hence, without meeting these physical requirements, an individual cannot effectively progress to addressing safety and security needs, relational needs, or esteem needs, as their primary focus would likely be on survival itself.