CHPNA Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When providing oral care to an unconscious hospice patient, what is the most important safety precaution?
- Use a full cup of water to rinse the mouth thoroughly
- Position the patient's head to the side to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Apply lip balm before cleaning the teeth
- Use a hard-bristle toothbrush for thorough cleaning
Correct answer: Position the patient's head to the side to prevent aspiration
Turning the head to the side allows fluids to drain out and prevents aspiration into the airway in a patient who cannot protect their own airway.
Question 2: How often should a bedridden hospice patient typically be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
- Every 6 to 8 hours
- Once per shift
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Only when the patient requests it
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every 2 hours relieves prolonged pressure on bony prominences and reduces the risk of pressure injuries in immobile patients.
Question 3: When assisting a hospice patient with a bed bath, which approach best supports patient dignity?
- Complete the bath as quickly as possible to minimize discomfort
- Keep the patient fully exposed throughout to monitor skin condition
- Expose only the body part being washed while keeping the rest covered (Correct answer)
- Ask family members to leave only if the patient specifically requests it
Correct answer: Expose only the body part being washed while keeping the rest covered
Exposing only one body part at a time preserves privacy, maintains warmth, and respects the patient's dignity during personal care.
Question 4: When performing passive range-of-motion exercises on a hospice patient, what is the key principle to follow?
- Move each joint quickly to complete exercises efficiently
- Support the joint above and below and move slowly within the pain-free range (Correct answer)
- Push joints until resistance is felt to maintain flexibility
- Perform only on joints specifically ordered by the physician
Correct answer: Support the joint above and below and move slowly within the pain-free range
Supporting the joint above and below while moving slowly within the pain-free range prevents injury and discomfort during passive range-of-motion exercises.
Question 5: When providing perineal care to a female hospice patient, in which direction should the nursing assistant cleanse?
- From back to front
- In a circular motion around the perineum
- From front to back (Correct answer)
- Side to side across the perineum
Correct answer: From front to back
Cleansing from front to back (urethra toward rectum) prevents the introduction of fecal bacteria into the urinary tract, reducing infection risk.
Question 6: Which footwear is most appropriate for an ambulatory hospice patient to reduce fall risk?
- Thick socks without shoes for comfort
- Non-skid slippers or shoes with a firm sole (Correct answer)
- Bare feet to feel the floor surface
- Lightweight sandals for ease of putting on and off
Correct answer: Non-skid slippers or shoes with a firm sole
Non-skid footwear with a firm sole provides traction and stability, significantly reducing the risk of falls in ambulatory patients.
Question 7: When changing bed linens with a patient remaining in bed, what is the most important safety consideration?
- Work quickly to minimize the patient's exposure to cool air
- Keep side rails up when not actively working on that side and never leave the patient unattended (Correct answer)
- Remove all pillows to create more working space
- Ask the patient to grip the side rail while you turn them
Correct answer: Keep side rails up when not actively working on that side and never leave the patient unattended
Raising side rails when not actively working on that side and never leaving a patient unattended prevents falls from the bed during linen changes.
CHPNA Personal Care and Activities of Daily Living 1
When providing oral care to an unconscious hospice patient, what is the most important safety precaution?