D. Will never get any further training after orientation
Correct Answer B. Work as part of the health care team
2. When you work in the home you will be:
A. Responsible for making decision without any help.
B. Working under the supervision of a professional supervisor.
C. Away from your office and have no way to contact your employer.
D. Responsible for calling the physician with information.
Correct Answer B. Working under the supervision of a professional supervisor.
3. As Personal Care Assistant, it is your responsibility to:
A. Plan the client’s care.
B. Do only the tasks that the registered nurse or therapist assigns to you.
C. Try to do your best, but not ask for any help.
D. Compare assignments with your co-workers.
Correct Answer B. Do only the tasks that the registered nurse or therapist assigns to you.
4. True or False. In the home, it is important to be a good listener.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
5. True or False. Always tell the patient what you are going to do before starting a procedure.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
6. True or False. You only communicate through words.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
7. Which of the following is important when communicating with people:
A. Courtesy
B. Tact
C. Listening
D. All of the above
Correct Answer D. All of the above
8. Body language is:
A. A way of communicating feelings by using the body, facial expression and the eyes
B. Only used by the clients to tell their doctors what is causing them problems
C. Only used by persons who are deaf and mute
D. The newest dance craze
Correct Answer A. A way of communicating feelings by using the body, facial expression and the eyes
9. PCA care for a conscious patient should be preceded by
A. Asking the patient for his permission to go ahead with the procedure
B. Telling the patient you would like to have his cooperation
C. Giving an explanation of what is going to be done
D. Explanation to the patient that the doctor’s order is done
Correct Answer C. Giving an explanation of what is going to be done
10. Miss Harris, a Personal Care Assistant, is assigned to care for Mr. Goodway. Miss Harris notices that she feels very angry when she is with Mr. Goodway. What should Mrs. Harris do because she feels this way?
A. Tell Mr. Goodway how she is feeling
B. Find out if other PCAs have felt this way
C. Try to pretend Mr. Goodway is someone she likes
D. Talk with the agency supervisor about the situation
Correct Answer D. Talk with the agency supervisor about the situation
11. A patient accuses a Personal Care Assistant of stealing five dollars. The PCA has not taken the patient’s money, but the patient does not believe this. What should the PCA do?
A. Ask the other PCAs who cares for the patient if they took the five dollars
B. Ask the patient why the PCA is being accused
C. Offer to give the patient five dollars
D. Notify the agency supervisor
Correct Answer D. Notify the agency supervisor
12. True or False. If you do not chart a task that you do for a patient, legally, it was not done.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
13. True or False. If the patient has a new area of skin breakdown, and the nurse is coming in two days, you do not need to report the skin breakdown to your supervisor.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
14. True or False. A rapid pulse and shortness of breath in a patient usually indicates the patient is excited and does not need to be reported to the nurse.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
15. The patient tells you he has not moved his bowels in three days. What should you do?
A. Tell him not to worry about it
B. Tell him to take a laxative
C. Report it to the nursing supervisor
D. Pretend you didn’t hear him
Correct Answer C. Report it to the nursing supervisor
16. Which of these actions is the Personal Care Assistant permitted to take in relation to drug administration?
A. Record and report the patient’s reaction to the medication
B. Handing out nonprescription medications to the patient who asks for them
C. Adjusting the dosage of medication given to the patient
D. Adjusting the times medications are given to fit into the patient’s activities scheduled
Correct Answer A. Record and report the patient’s reaction to the medication
17. When a patient complains of pain, what should the Personal Care Assistant do first?
A. Ask the patient to describe the pain
B. Call the patient’s doctor
C. Offer the patient some warm tea
D. Change the patient’s position
Correct Answer A. Ask the patient to describe the pain
18. A patient’s prescription for heart pills has recently been changed. The home health PCA should notify the agency supervisor immediately if the patient makes which of these comments:
A. “The pills are very expensive.”
B. “These pills are different shape from the pills I use to take.”
C. “I have a rash on my stomach since I’ve been taking these pills.”
D. “I can’t take these pills unless I have really cold water to drink.”
Correct Answer C. “I have a rash on my stomach since I’ve been taking these pills.”
19. Mrs. Rand, who has diabetes and takes insulin regularly, tells the Personal Care Assistant that she feels very nervous and jittery. What should the PCA do immediately?
A. Take her temperature
B. Find out when she has her next doctor’s appointment
C. Have her lie down in bed
D. Give her a glass of orange juice
Correct Answer D. Give her a glass of orange juice
20. True or False. Always report a pulse if the beats per minute are under 60 or over 100.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
21. True or False. The temperature of an unconscious patient should be taken orally since they are not moving about.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
22. True or False. Recording a patient’s TPR or vital signs is not important as long as you remember what they are.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
23. For which, if any, of these body areas is 99.6 degrees F. a normal temperature?
A. Axilla
B. Mouth
C. Rectum
D. None of the above
Correct Answer C. Rectum
24. When taking a patient pulse, you should take it for:
A. 15 seconds
B. One full minute
C. 5 seconds
D. Two minutes
Correct Answer B. One full minute
25. When a patient’s respirations are being counted, it is best that the patient:
A. Tries to breathe evenly
B. Tries to breathe as deeply as he can
C. Sits up straight
D. Not be aware that the respirations are being counted
Correct Answer D. Not be aware that the respirations are being counted
26. True or False. Hand washing is the single best way to decrease the number of pathogens.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
27. True or False. Gloves should be worn when handling items soiled by body fluids.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
28. True or False. The catheter drainage bag must be lower than the bladder, but not on the floor.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
29. During a visit, you need to wash your hands after removing gloves:
A. Before you give physical care to the patient
B. After you pet the dog
C. Before you leave the patient’s home
D. All of the above
Correct Answer D. All of the above
30. In what situation should gloves be used
A. The patient is vomiting
B. The patient has been incontinent of stool
C. The patient has drainage wound
D. All of the above
Correct Answer D. All of the above
31. True or False. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and other serious complications and should be reported.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
32. True or False. If a person complains of pain, it is important to have the patient describe the pain and then report it to the nurse and record it in your notes.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
33. True or False. It’s normal for most people to complain of pressure, swelling, or bloating in their ankles, feet, stomach or legs.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
34. If you notice the patient’s catheter is not draining, the first thing you should do is:
A. Call your supervisor
B. Empty the drainage bag
C. Check the tubing to see if it is kinked
D. Do nothing; this is the nurse’s problem
Correct Answer C. Check the tubing to see if it is kinked
35. Which of the following is not recommended for promoting good daily habits?
A. Plenty of water
B. Laxatives
C. Exercise
D. Well balanced meals
Correct Answer B. Laxatives
36. Mrs. Morris has not had a bowel movement for three days. She has always given herself an enema if she does not have a bowel movement for that length of time. Mrs. Morris asks the Personal Care Assistant to give her an enema. What should the PCA do?
A. Give Mrs. Morris an enema
B. Tell Mrs. Morris to wait another day
C. Suggest that Mrs. Morris take a laxative first
D. Contact the agency supervisor to discuss the situation
Correct Answer D. Contact the agency supervisor to discuss the situation
37. True or False. Bedrails should never be used to secure vest restraints.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
38. True or False. Smoking in bed is fine for anyone who is not confused.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
39. Part or your duties as a Personal Care Assistant are to assure a safe home environment. This includes:
A. Proper infection control with good hand washing
B. Electrical and fire safety
C. Moving things which may cause the patient to fall
D. All of the above
Correct Answer D. All of the above
40. A patient is receiving oxygen through a nasal canella. Which safety precautions should the Personal Care Assistant take:
A. Keep the television set at least 5 feet from the oxygen tank
B. Do not permit the patient to drink soda
C. Allow no smoking in the patient’s room
D. Do not use any lotions that contain oil in the patient’s room
Correct Answer C. Allow no smoking in the patient’s room
41. True or False. For an injury with profuse bleeding, apply pressure and call for assistance.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
42. True or False. If the patient begins to have a seizure, your first responsibility is to prevent the patient from injuring himself.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer A. True
43. True or False. If the patient falls and complains of pain in his hip, you should help him to get up and walk to bed.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
44. A patient is choking on some object that is caught in his airway. Before first-aid measures are applied, find out:
A. If the patient’s pulse is over 80
B. If the patient can swallow clear liquids
C. If the patient can speak or cough
D. What medications the patient has taken in the last 24 hours
Correct Answer C. If the patient can speak or cough
45. While giving a bath on a shower chair, the patient suddenly gasps and becomes unresponsive. The Personal Care Assistant should:
A. Call for family assistance and continue the bath
B. Leave the patient and call 911
C. Lower the patient to the floor, call for the family to call 911, determine it CPR is needed, and initiate it if needed
D. Tell the family to stay with the patient while you call 911 and the supervisor
Correct Answer C. Lower the patient to the floor, call for the family to call 911, determine it CPR is needed, and initiate it if needed
46. For which of these emergencies is the knowledge of pressure points essential:
A. Health stroke
B. Burns
C. Food poisoning
D. Bleeding
Correct Answer D. Bleeding
47. The telephone numbers of all the following are important to a patient. Which number must the Personal Care Assistant have next to the phone?
A. The patient ‘s clergyman
B. The drugstore
C. The emergency medical squad
D. The next-door neighbor
Correct Answer C. The emergency medical squad
48. True or False. Every patient is the same and has the same needs and wants.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
49. True or False. It is alright to use any item in the home without asking as long as it is for the patient’s personal care.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer B. False
50. True or False. You may use the telephone in the patient’s home without asking permission.