HCA - Health Care Assistant Certification Health Care Assistant Personal Care and Mobility 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a bed bath, in what order should the HCA wash a resident's body?
- Feet first, then trunk, then face last to prevent contamination
- Face first, then working down the body toward the feet (Correct answer)
- Genitals first to reduce infection risk, then face and extremities
- Chest first, then arms, then face, ending with feet
Correct answer: Face first, then working down the body toward the feet
The correct technique is to wash from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest, starting with the face and progressing downward toward the feet and perineal area. This prevents transferring microorganisms from less clean areas to the face.
Question 2: A resident must be transferred from bed to wheelchair. The HCA has placed the wheelchair correctly. Where should the wheelchair be positioned relative to the bed?
- Parallel to the bed on the resident's weaker side, locked
- At a 45-degree angle on the resident's stronger side, locked (Correct answer)
- Directly in front of the bed at a 90-degree angle, unlocked for easy movement
- At a 45-degree angle on the resident's weaker side, locked
Correct answer: At a 45-degree angle on the resident's stronger side, locked
The wheelchair should be placed at a 45-degree angle on the resident's stronger side so they can pivot using their stronger leg and arm. Brakes must always be locked before any transfer to prevent the chair from moving.
Question 3: While assisting a resident with oral care who is unconscious, which position should the HCA place the resident in?
- Supine (flat on back) to keep the airway open
- Semi-Fowler's position with head tilted back
- Side-lying (lateral) position with head turned to the side (Correct answer)
- High Fowler's position at 90 degrees
Correct answer: Side-lying (lateral) position with head turned to the side
An unconscious resident must be positioned on their side with the head turned to prevent aspiration of fluids into the lungs. Secretions will drain out of the mouth rather than back into the airway.
Question 4: A resident's care plan requires range-of-motion (ROM) exercises to the left shoulder. The resident reports pain during the exercise. What should the HCA do?
- Continue at the same pace since some discomfort is expected with ROM exercises
- Move the joint only to the point of resistance or slight discomfort, then stop and report the pain (Correct answer)
- Skip the exercise entirely that day and document nothing until the next shift
- Increase the speed of movement to complete the exercise before the pain worsens
Correct answer: Move the joint only to the point of resistance or slight discomfort, then stop and report the pain
ROM exercises should always be performed gently and only to the point of slight resistance. Pain beyond mild discomfort is a signal to stop immediately and report the finding to the supervisor, as forcing movement can cause injury.
Question 5: An HCA is assisting a resident with hair care. The resident has a scalp condition causing sores. What is the most appropriate action?
- Comb the hair carefully around the sores and do not report unless the resident complains
- Refuse to perform hair care until a nurse has assessed the resident
- Gently comb the hair, avoid the affected areas, and report the observation to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Apply a topical cream from the medication cart to soothe the sores before combing
Correct answer: Gently comb the hair, avoid the affected areas, and report the observation to the nurse
The HCA should continue providing personal care in a gentle manner while avoiding direct contact with sores, and must report the observation to the nurse. HCAs do not diagnose or apply prescription treatments — reporting allows a nurse to assess and treat the condition appropriately.
Question 6: When assisting a resident to walk who becomes suddenly dizzy and begins to fall, what should the HCA do?
- Step in front of the resident and push them back upright to prevent them from hitting the floor
- Call out for help loudly while maintaining your hold and waiting for the resident to regain balance
- Ease the resident gently to the floor by widening your stance, bending your knees, and controlling their descent (Correct answer)
- Lower yourself to the floor first so the resident can lean on you safely
Correct answer: Ease the resident gently to the floor by widening your stance, bending your knees, and controlling their descent
If a resident begins to fall, the HCA should never try to stop or reverse the fall forcefully, as this can injure both parties. Instead, widen your stance for stability, bend your knees, and guide the resident in a controlled descent to the floor to minimize injury.
HCA - Health Care Assistant Certification Health Care Assistant Personal Care and Mobility 1
When performing a bed bath, in what order should the HCA wash a resident's body?