HCA - Health Care Assistant Certification Health Care Assistant Nutrition and Hydration 1

Question 1

An elderly resident refuses to drink fluids throughout the morning shift. What is the most appropriate action for the HCA to take?

Accepted Answer

Offer small amounts of preferred fluids frequently and report the refusal to the nurse

Answer

Document the refusal and wait until the next shift to address it

Answer

Force fluids by placing a straw directly in the resident's mouth

Answer

Add thickener to all fluids without checking the care plan

Question 2

A resident's care plan indicates they require thickened fluids at 'nectar' consistency. The family brings in a cup of regular juice. What should the HCA do?

Accepted Answer

Add the appropriate thickener to the juice before offering it to the resident

Answer

Allow the resident to drink the regular juice as a one-time exception

Answer

Discard the juice and offer nothing until the next scheduled fluid time

Answer

Offer the juice without thickener since the family brought it

Question 3

When assisting a resident with feeding, the HCA notices the resident has pocketed food in one cheek. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Gently remind the resident to clear their mouth before offering another bite, and report the observation to the nurse

Answer

Continue feeding and remind the resident to swallow more forcefully

Answer

Tilt the resident's head back to encourage swallowing

Answer

Increase the pace of feeding to prevent food from cooling

Question 4

A resident with diabetes is served a meal that appears to contain a high-sugar dessert not consistent with their diet order. What should the HCA do?

Accepted Answer

Verify the meal against the diet order, withhold the dessert, and report the discrepancy to the nurse before serving

Answer

Serve the full meal including the dessert since the kitchen staff made the decision

Answer

Remove only the dessert and serve the rest without notifying anyone

Answer

Withhold the entire meal until the issue is resolved

Question 5

Which practice best supports adequate nutrition in a resident who becomes fatigued quickly during meals?

Accepted Answer

Offer smaller, more frequent meals and snacks, and allow rest breaks during feeding

Answer

Limit meal time to five minutes to avoid tiring the resident further

Answer

Serve larger portions less frequently to reduce the number of meal interactions

Answer

Document the fatigue but continue with a standard three-meal schedule unchanged

Question 6

A resident who was previously eating independently now shows decreased interest in food and leaves most meals untouched. What is the priority action for the HCA?

Accepted Answer

Document the observed change in appetite and report it to the nurse promptly

Answer

Assume the resident is not hungry and remove the tray without comment

Answer

Offer to feed the resident without consulting the nurse or care plan

Answer

Increase portion sizes at the next meal to compensate for what was missed