Health Care Assistant Personal Care and Mobility 1 Flashcards

When performing a bed bath, in what order should the HCA wash a resident's body?

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.

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?

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.

While assisting a resident with oral care who is unconscious, which position should the HCA place the resident in?

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.

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?

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.

An HCA is assisting a resident with hair care. The resident has a scalp condition causing sores. What is the most appropriate action?

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.

When assisting a resident to walk who becomes suddenly dizzy and begins to fall, what should the HCA do?

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.