DDA Health Safety & Daily Living Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Universal precautions require a DDA to treat all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious. This means the DDA should ALWAYS:
- Wear gloves only when blood is visibly present
- Use appropriate PPE whenever there is potential exposure to bodily fluids (Correct answer)
- Wash hands only after removing gloves
- Use PPE only for individuals known to have bloodborne diseases
Correct answer: Use appropriate PPE whenever there is potential exposure to bodily fluids
Universal precautions apply to ALL individuals regardless of known diagnosis because infection status is not always known.
Question 2: An individual with cerebral palsy is at increased risk for pressure injuries (bedsores). To prevent pressure injuries, a DDA should:
- Reposition the individual every 4-6 hours
- Reposition every 2 hours and inspect bony prominences regularly (Correct answer)
- Use thick foam padding instead of repositioning
- Keep the individual in one comfortable position throughout the shift
Correct answer: Reposition every 2 hours and inspect bony prominences regularly
Repositioning every two hours and checking bony prominences for redness are the primary evidence-based strategies for preventing pressure injuries.
Question 3: When teaching an individual to use public transportation independently, which strategy is MOST effective for promoting skill retention?
- Demonstrating the route once and expecting independent travel thereafter
- Using task analysis with repeated practice across multiple real-world trips (Correct answer)
- Describing the route verbally and providing a written map only
- Having the DDA ride along indefinitely without fading support
Correct answer: Using task analysis with repeated practice across multiple real-world trips
Task analysis with repeated real-world practice and systematic fading of support is the evidence-based approach for teaching community navigation skills.
Question 4: A DDA is preparing a meal for an individual with a documented peanut allergy. The DDA accidentally uses a utensil that contacted peanut butter. The CORRECT action is to:
- Rinse the utensil quickly with water and continue
- Discard the food, thoroughly clean utensils, and prepare a new meal (Correct answer)
- Proceed with the meal since the amount of contact was minimal
- Monitor the individual for symptoms after serving the meal
Correct answer: Discard the food, thoroughly clean utensils, and prepare a new meal
Even trace allergen exposure can trigger anaphylaxis; all contaminated food must be discarded and surfaces thoroughly cleaned before preparing a new meal.
Question 5: Which situation requires a DDA to call 911 IMMEDIATELY rather than first contacting a supervisor?
- An individual refuses to take a scheduled medication
- An individual stops breathing and becomes unresponsive (Correct answer)
- An individual has a minor fall with no visible injury
- An individual is upset and crying
Correct answer: An individual stops breathing and becomes unresponsive
Unresponsiveness with absent breathing is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate 911 activation; supervisor notification follows.
Question 6: Which practice BEST supports the dental health of a non-verbal individual with limited self-care ability?
- Brushing teeth weekly to avoid agitation
- Assisting with twice-daily tooth brushing and scheduling regular dental checkups (Correct answer)
- Using mouthwash alone as a substitute for brushing
- Limiting dental care to annual professional cleanings only
Correct answer: Assisting with twice-daily tooth brushing and scheduling regular dental checkups
Twice-daily assisted brushing combined with regular dental checkups is the standard of care for maintaining oral health in individuals with limited self-care capacity.
Question 7: An individual with a developmental disability expresses a desire to start an exercise routine. The DDA's BEST response is to:
- Discourage exercise due to fall and injury risks
- Support the goal, consult the healthcare team for medical clearance, and help identify appropriate activities (Correct answer)
- Design a rigorous exercise program based on what the DDA personally uses
- Tell the individual that exercise programs require guardian approval before discussing further
Correct answer: Support the goal, consult the healthcare team for medical clearance, and help identify appropriate activities
Supporting health goals while obtaining appropriate medical clearance and helping identify person-centered activities reflects both safety and self-determination principles.
DDA Health Safety & Daily Living Skills 5
Universal precautions require a DDA to treat all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious.
This means the DDA should ALWAYS: