HCA - Health Care Assistant Certification Health Care Assistant Basic Nursing and Restorative Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident must be repositioned every two hours to prevent pressure injuries. The resident is currently in the left lateral position. What is the correct next position?
- Left lateral again to maintain comfort
- Prone position to relieve sacral pressure
- Supine (flat on back) or right lateral position (Correct answer)
- High Fowler's position with knees bent
Correct answer: Supine (flat on back) or right lateral position
A turning schedule alternates sides and the back to relieve pressure from any one bony prominence. Moving from left lateral to supine or right lateral follows the standard repositioning sequence and ensures no single area bears prolonged pressure.
Question 2: When performing passive range-of-motion exercises on a resident's shoulder, the resident reports sudden sharp pain. What should the HCA do first?
- Continue slowly — mild discomfort is expected during ROM
- Apply ice to the shoulder and finish the remaining joints
- Stop the exercise immediately and report the pain to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Increase the range of movement to work through the stiffness
Correct answer: Stop the exercise immediately and report the pain to the nurse
Sharp or sudden pain during ROM exercises indicates possible injury or joint pathology. The HCA must stop immediately to prevent harm and report to the supervising nurse for further assessment before continuing.
Question 3: A resident is being ambulated in the hallway with a gait belt. The resident begins to feel faint and their knees start to buckle. What is the correct HCA response?
- Call for help loudly while holding the resident upright until staff arrive
- Ease the resident gently to the floor using the gait belt to control the descent (Correct answer)
- Guide the resident quickly back to bed as fast as possible
- Lower yourself to one knee and pull the resident onto your back
Correct answer: Ease the resident gently to the floor using the gait belt to control the descent
When a resident begins to fall, the safest action is to control the descent to the floor using the gait belt. This prevents injury from an uncontrolled fall and protects both the resident and the HCA.
Question 4: Which observation should the HCA report to the nurse immediately when providing perineal care to a female resident with an indwelling urinary catheter?
- The urine in the drainage bag is pale yellow
- The resident states the catheter feels slightly uncomfortable
- There is cloudy, dark-colored urine with a foul odor in the drainage bag (Correct answer)
- The drainage bag is half full and needs to be emptied
Correct answer: There is cloudy, dark-colored urine with a foul odor in the drainage bag
Cloudy, dark urine with a foul odor are classic signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which requires prompt nursing assessment and possible medical intervention. This is an abnormal finding that must be reported immediately.
Question 5: A resident recovering from a hip replacement is on partial weight-bearing status. When assisting them to stand from a chair, where should the HCA position a standard walker?
- Behind the resident so they can reach back and grab it
- Directly in front of the resident within easy arm's reach before they stand (Correct answer)
- To the non-operative side so the operative leg can swing freely
- Flat on the floor in front of the chair to mark where to step
Correct answer: Directly in front of the resident within easy arm's reach before they stand
The walker must be positioned directly in front of the resident and within reach before they attempt to stand. This ensures they have immediate support as they rise and prevents loss of balance during the most unstable moment of the transfer.
Question 6: An HCA notices a resident's heels are resting directly on the mattress and the skin appears reddened. What is the most appropriate restorative nursing action?
- Apply a thick layer of lotion and leave the heels in contact with the mattress
- Elevate the heels off the mattress by placing a pillow lengthwise under the calves (Correct answer)
- Cover the heels with extra blankets to keep them warm and protected
- Massage the reddened area vigorously to increase blood circulation
Correct answer: Elevate the heels off the mattress by placing a pillow lengthwise under the calves
Heel elevation by supporting the calves removes pressure from the heels entirely, which is the most effective intervention for preventing heel pressure injuries. Massaging reddened skin is contraindicated as it can cause further tissue damage.
HCA - Health Care Assistant Certification Health Care Assistant Basic Nursing and Restorative Skills 1
A resident must be repositioned every two hours to prevent pressure injuries.
The resident is currently in the left lateral position.
What is the correct next position?