Can You Pass This Personal Care Assistant Certification Test?
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Personal care assistants are designed to help nurse people back to health, be it in the hospital or their houses after being discharged. There is a lot that goes into becoming a personal care assistant, and the quiz below is perfect for ensuring that you get your certification. Give it a shot and get some practice before you have to pass the exam!
- 1.
- A.
Work alone.
- B.
Work as part of the health care team.
- C.
May become the leader of the health care team.
- D.
Will never get any further training after orientation.
- 2.
- 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.
- 3.
- 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.
- 4.True or False. In the home, it is important to be a good listener.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 5.True or False. Always tell the patient what you are going to do before starting a procedure.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 6.True or False. You only communicate through words.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 7.Which of the following is important when communicating with people:
- A.
Courtesy
- B.
Tact
- C.
Listening
- D.
All of the above
- 8.
- 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
- 9.
- 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
- 10.
- 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
- 11.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 16.
- 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
- 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
- 18.
- 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.”
- 19.
- 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
- 20.True or False. Always report a pulse if the beats per minute are under 60 or over 100.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 21.True or False. The temperature of an unconscious patient should be taken orally since they are not moving about.
- A.
True
- 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
- 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
- 24.When taking a patient pulse, you should take it for:
- A.
15 seconds
- B.
One full minute
- C.
5 seconds
- D.
Two minutes
- 25.
- 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
- 26.True or False. Hand washing is the single best way to decrease the number of pathogens.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 27.True or False. Gloves should be worn when handling items soiled by body fluids.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 28.True or False. The catheter drainage bag must be lower than the bladder, but not on the floor.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 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
- 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
- 31.True or False. Diarrhea can cause dehydration and other serious complications and should be reported.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 36.
- 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
- 37.True or False. Bedrails should never be used to secure vest restraints.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 38.True or False. Smoking in bed is fine for anyone who is not confused.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 39.
- 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
- 40.
- 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
- 41.True or False. For an injury with profuse bleeding, apply pressure and call for assistance.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 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
- 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
- 44.
- 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
- 45.
- 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
- 46.For which of these emergencies is the knowledge of pressure points essential:
- A.
Health stroke
- B.
Burns
- C.
Food poisoning
- 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
- 48.True or False. Every patient is the same and has the same needs and wants.
- A.
True
- 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
- 50.True or False. You may use the telephone in the patient’s home without asking permission.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 51.
- A.
“Mrs. Cooler is doing as well as can be expected.”
- B.
“I am sorry, but I cannot discuss Mrs. Cooler.”
- C.
”Yes, it’s too bad, but she is very ill.”
- D.
“How did you know about Mrs. Cooler and her illness.”
- 52.Which of these statements about the elderly is true?
- A.
They cannot change
- B.
They can learn new things
- C.
They want to become dependent on others
- D.
They do not enjoy meeting new people
- 53.
- A.
Provide constant supervision
- B.
Provide total care
- C.
Promote maximum self-care and independence within the limits of the person’s ability
- D.
Promote the complete return of the person’s abilities
- 54.
- A.
Insist that Mrs. Morris eat at this time
- B.
Tell Mrs. Morris to let the PCA know when she wants to eat, and remind her that it is important that she have lunch
- C.
Tell Mrs. Morris that if she doesn’t eat by herself, she will have to be fed
- D.
Tell Mrs. Morris that it took a lot of time to prepare the food and she should eat it while it is fresh
- 55.
- A.
Do not like to be told that to do
- B.
Are usually sicker than adults
- C.
Enjoy human contact more than adults
- D.
Cannot explain how they feel
- 56.True or False. It is important to keep a patient covered during a bed bath except for the part being washed.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 57.True or False. Massaging of bony prominences help to prevent skin breakdown by increasing the blood supply to the area.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 58.True or False. When giving peri-care to a patient after a BM, wash using a front to back motion in order not to spread fecal material to other areas.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 59.
- A.
Adjusting both the hot and cold water so as to mid them
- B.
Using the patient’s thermometer and read the temperature
- C.
Asking the patient to tell you if it is too hot or too cold
- D.
Finding out if the water is warm ( not hot or cold) to the touch on the inside of your wrist.
- 60.
- A.
Keep the skin clean and well moisturized
- B.
Apply alcohol to bare areas of the skin
- C.
Wash daily with scented soap
- D.
All of the above
- 61.If dentures are not worn when sleeping, where should you store them?
- A.
Wrap them in a wash cloth
- B.
Put in a sterile container
- C.
Wrap in a gauze pad
- D.
Place in a clean container in clean water
- 62.An elderly male patient occasionally wets his trousers. What should the home health PCA do?
- A.
Give him fluids with his meal
- B.
Avoid giving him coffee and tea
- C.
Tell him if he urinates on himself he will have to be put in diapers
- D.
Encourage him to go to the bathroom at least every two hours
- 63.
- A.
Clean under the toenails
- B.
Cut the toenails
- C.
Soak the patient’s feet for more than 5 minutes in a basin of warm water
- D.
Put lotion on the patient’s feet before drying them
- 64.True or False. Always transfer a patient toward his good side.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 65.True or False. There is no need to be near an object to pick it up, just reach.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 66.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 67.
- A.
Raise himself on his elbows
- B.
Separate his legs widely
- C.
Arch his back
- D.
Flex his knees and push with his heels
- 68.Before helping a patient in or out of a wheelchair, which of these actions are necessary?
- A.
Have the brakes unlocked and leave the foot pieces down
- B.
Lock the brakes and fold the foot pieces up
- C.
Have the brakes unlocked and the foot pieces up
- D.
Lock the brakes and leave the foot pieces down
- 69.When assisting a patient to walk with his walker, you should:
- A.
Clear a pathway and remove all safety hazards
- B.
Stay close by the patient’s side
- C.
Stand on the other side of the room
- D.
A and B
- 70.
- A.
Rub the patient's feet
- B.
Help the patient to a standing position to see if the dizziness goes away
- C.
Put a cold compress on the patient’s head
- D.
Support the patient in a sitting position and wait a minute or so to see if the dizziness goes away
- 71.
- A.
Directly in front or the patient
- B.
Directly in back of the patient
- C.
On the patient’s left side
- D.
On the patient’s right side
- 72.
- A.
Place the foot supports of the wheelchair so that he can step up on them
- B.
Have a blanket draped in the wheelchair
- C.
Have the breaks on the wheelchair in a locked position
- D.
Place a pillow on the seat or the wheelchair
- 73.True or False. Passive range of motion exercise is for the prevention of contractures in patients with paralyzed limbs.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 74.True or False. During range of motion exercises, if you feel resistance or the patient complains of pain, you should continue anyway.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 75.True or False. It’s best to have a pillow between the legs or a patient with a new hip replacement.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 76.To prevent bed sores in the elderly, you should:
- A.
Change the patient’s position every two hours if they are unable to do so themselves
- B.
Get the patient out of bed it they are allowed to do so
- C.
Ensure adequate nutrition with special emphasis on protein intake
- D.
All the above
- 77.The Personal Care Assistant should be sure to take which of these actions when caring for a new born baby?
- A.
Support the baby’s head and neck when picking the baby up
- B.
Clean the inside of the baby’s ears with cotton swabs
- C.
Use petroleum jelly to keep the area around the baby’s navel moist
- D.
Hold the baby only at feeding and bath times
- 78.Which or these statements describe good body mechanics?
- A.
Carry heavy objects as far away from the body as possible
- B.
Bend the knees when lifting an object off the floor
- C.
Bend over at the waist when lifting an object off the floor
- D.
Lift rather than push a heavy object
- 79.
- A.
Keep the top sheet well tucked in
- B.
Keep the bottom sheet free of wrinkles
- C.
Use only sheets that are 100% cotton on the patient’s bed
- D.
Use only woolen blankets to cover the patient
- 80.True or False. Soy sauce is good to spice up a low salt diet.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 81.True or False. A regular diet is a well balanced diet with no restrictions.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 82.True or False. Bread and potatoes are a good source of protein.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 83.Foods on a liquid diet would include:
- A.
Chicken, eggs and toast
- B.
Chopped and strained foods
- C.
Broth, tea and jello
- D.
Lightly seasoned foods
- 84.Foods that are high in vitamin C include:
- A.
Oranges, tomatoes and watermelon
- B.
Potatoes, raisins and bananas
- C.
Liver, beef and chicken
- D.
Cheese, milk and cottage cheese
- 85.If there is 50cc left in a glass and the glass holds 150cc you should record the intake as:
- A.
90cc
- B.
120cc
- C.
100cc
- D.
50cc
- 86.Milk is a good source of calcium. Which of these foods are also good in calcium?
- A.
Cheese
- B.
Bananas
- C.
Orange juice
- D.
Raisins
- 87.When patients do not have enough fluids, they may develop which of these problems?
- A.
Diarrhea
- B.
Swelling
- C.
Constipation
- D.
Dandruff
- 88.If a patient is to have a fluid intake record kept, the right time to record the patient’s fluid is:
- A.
When the fluids are served to the patient
- B.
When the patient has drank the fluids
- C.
Every two hours
- D.
After each meal
- 89.Patients on low salt diets are usually allowed to have which of these foods?
- A.
Hard cheese
- B.
Canned soups
- C.
Raisins
- D.
Olives
- 90.Patients sometimes express religious beliefs with which the Personal Care Assistant does not agree. In dealing with these situations, which of these understandings should the PCA use as a guide?
- A.
Patients have a right to their own beliefs, which should be respected
- B.
Patients should be told not to discuss their beliefs with PCA
- C.
PCAs should explain their beliefs to patients
- D.
PCAs should pretend to have the same beliefs that patients have
- 91.True or False. A PCA is allowed to reinforce a dressing.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 92.True or False. A PCA is allowed to apply a hot pack.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 93.True or False. A PCA is allowed to give an enema.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 94.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 95.True or False. A PCA is allowed to change a sterile dressing.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 96.True or False. A PCA is allowed to assist with change of a colostomy bag.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 97.True or False. A PCA is allowed to give a rectal suppository.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 98.True or False. A PCA is allowed to give a tubule feeding.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 99.True or False. A PCA is allowed to give insulin.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 100.True or False. A PCA is allowed to cut nails.
- A.
True
- B.
False
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