DSP Health and Wellness Support 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A DSP notices a person they support has been losing weight unintentionally over the past month. The BEST initial response is to:
- Increase portion sizes at all meals without consulting anyone
- Document the observation and report to the supervisor and health care provider (Correct answer)
- Assume it is normal and monitor for another month before acting
- Give the person high-calorie snacks throughout the day independently
Correct answer: Document the observation and report to the supervisor and health care provider
Unexplained weight loss is a health concern that requires documentation and reporting to a health care provider for evaluation.
Question 2: When assisting a person with positioning to prevent aspiration during meals, the DSP should ensure the individual is:
- Reclining at 30 degrees to aid swallowing
- Sitting upright at 90 degrees and remaining upright for 30 minutes after eating (Correct answer)
- Leaning slightly forward with the head tilted back
- Lying on their left side throughout the meal
Correct answer: Sitting upright at 90 degrees and remaining upright for 30 minutes after eating
An upright 90-degree position during and for 30 minutes after meals significantly reduces aspiration risk.
Question 3: A person you support takes a blood thinner (anticoagulant). Which observation is most critical to report immediately?
- Mild bruising on the arm from a small bump
- Unusual or spontaneous bleeding, blood in urine, or severe headache (Correct answer)
- Slight redness where a blood draw was taken
- Needing an extra few minutes to stop bleeding from a paper cut
Correct answer: Unusual or spontaneous bleeding, blood in urine, or severe headache
Spontaneous bleeding, blood in urine, or severe headache in someone on anticoagulants can indicate life-threatening complications.
Question 4: Constipation is a common health issue for people with disabilities. Which intervention is within the DSP's scope to support?
- Administering an enema independently
- Encouraging fluid intake and dietary fiber as specified in the care plan (Correct answer)
- Prescribing a laxative from the pharmacy
- Manually disimpacting the bowel
Correct answer: Encouraging fluid intake and dietary fiber as specified in the care plan
DSPs can support bowel health by encouraging fluids and fiber per the care plan; clinical interventions require nurse or physician orders.
Question 5: Which action by a DSP best demonstrates person-centered health support?
- Scheduling all health appointments without informing the individual
- Involving the individual in understanding their health conditions and choices about their care (Correct answer)
- Making all health decisions on behalf of the person to save time
- Sharing the person's medical information with family members without consent
Correct answer: Involving the individual in understanding their health conditions and choices about their care
Person-centered care requires involving individuals in understanding and making decisions about their own health.
Question 6: A DSP observes that a person they support has swollen ankles that were not present yesterday. This symptom may indicate:
- Normal muscle soreness from exercise
- A possible cardiac, kidney, or circulation issue that requires prompt reporting (Correct answer)
- An allergic reaction to soap
- Normal aging with no action needed
Correct answer: A possible cardiac, kidney, or circulation issue that requires prompt reporting
New-onset swollen ankles can signal heart failure, kidney problems, or poor circulation and must be reported to medical staff.
Question 7: During a home visit, a DSP notices that a person's prescribed inhaler is expired. What should the DSP do?
- Have the individual use the expired inhaler until a new one can be arranged next month
- Document the finding, notify the supervisor, and arrange for a new prescription to be obtained promptly (Correct answer)
- Buy an over-the-counter replacement inhaler without consulting anyone
- Discard the expired inhaler and wait for the next doctor's appointment
Correct answer: Document the finding, notify the supervisor, and arrange for a new prescription to be obtained promptly
Expired medications may be ineffective or harmful and must be reported so the person's health team can arrange a timely replacement.
DSP Health and Wellness Support 3
A DSP notices a person they support has been losing weight unintentionally over the past month.
The BEST initial response is to: