HAC HAC Mobility & Rehabilitation Assistance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a contracture in the context of patient care?
- A written care agreement between patient and provider
- A permanent shortening of a muscle or tendon causing limited joint movement (Correct answer)
- A type of pressure ulcer
- Involuntary muscle twitching
Correct answer: A permanent shortening of a muscle or tendon causing limited joint movement
A contracture is a permanent shortening of soft tissue around a joint that results in reduced range of motion, often caused by prolonged immobility.
Question 2: A patient is ordered to use a cane. On which side should the cane be held?
- On the weaker side
- On the stronger side (Correct answer)
- In the dominant hand
- It alternates with each step
Correct answer: On the stronger side
A cane is held on the stronger side so it can bear weight and provide lateral support opposite the weaker leg during the gait cycle.
Question 3: Which observation should a healthcare aide report immediately after a patient's first ambulation following surgery?
- The patient walked 20 feet without complaint
- The patient reports dizziness and their face appears pale (Correct answer)
- The patient moved slowly but steadily
- The patient asked to rest after two minutes
Correct answer: The patient reports dizziness and their face appears pale
Dizziness and pallor during ambulation can indicate orthostatic hypotension or other cardiovascular changes requiring prompt nursing assessment.
Question 4: When assisting a patient who begins to fall, the healthcare aide should:
- Step away quickly to avoid being injured
- Try to catch the patient and prevent them from touching the floor
- Ease the patient to the floor in a controlled manner while protecting their head (Correct answer)
- Call for help before doing anything else
Correct answer: Ease the patient to the floor in a controlled manner while protecting their head
Controlled lowering to the floor protects both the patient from injury and the aide from musculoskeletal strain, while keeping the head from striking hard surfaces.
Question 5: Which type of ROM exercise involves the patient doing the movement independently without assistance?
- Passive ROM
- Active ROM (Correct answer)
- Active-assistive ROM
- Resistive ROM
Correct answer: Active ROM
Active ROM is performed entirely by the patient using their own muscle strength, with no physical assistance from the aide.
Question 6: How often should a bedridden patient's position be changed to prevent pressure injuries?
- Every 8 hours
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Once per shift
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every two hours relieves sustained pressure over bony prominences, which is the primary cause of pressure ulcer formation.
HAC HAC Mobility & Rehabilitation Assistance 2
What is a contracture in the context of patient care?