HCA - Health Care Assistant Documentation and Legal Ethics Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What does the legal principle of 'duty of care' require of an HCA?

Accepted Answer

To provide care that meets the standard a reasonably competent HCA would provide in the same circumstances

Answer

To do whatever the client or family requests regardless of professional standards

Answer

To provide care only when explicitly directed by a nurse

Answer

To limit documentation to protect the facility from liability

Question 2

A colleague asks you to co-sign their documentation for a procedure they performed but you did not witness. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Decline to co-sign and explain that documentation must only reflect events you personally observed or performed

Answer

Co-sign as a professional courtesy if you trust the colleague

Answer

Sign the documentation but add a note that you did not witness the procedure

Answer

Report the colleague to management immediately without speaking to them first

Question 3

Under what circumstances may an HCA share a resident's personal health information with another care provider?

Accepted Answer

When sharing is necessary for the resident's treatment and is within the circle of care

Answer

Whenever any health professional requests the information verbally

Answer

Only when the resident provides written consent each time

Answer

Never — all health information is strictly confidential between the HCA and resident

Question 4

What is the correct action if an HCA makes an error in a written care record?

Accepted Answer

Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial and date the change

Answer

Use correction fluid (whiteout) to cover the error and write the correction

Answer

Erase the error completely if it was made in pencil

Answer

Shred the page and rewrite the entire record without the error

Question 5

What is 'informed consent' in the context of HCA care delivery?

Accepted Answer

The resident's right to receive enough information about a procedure to make a voluntary and capable decision to agree or refuse

Answer

A signed form obtained once at admission that covers all future care procedures

Answer

Verbal agreement from a family member when the resident is asleep

Answer

The nurse's authorization for the HCA to proceed with a specific task

Question 6

What information must be included in an accurate incident report after a resident fall?

Accepted Answer

Date, time, exact location, resident's condition before and after, witnesses, and actions taken — factual observations only

Answer

The HCA's opinion of why the fall occurred and staff discipline recommendations

Answer

Only information that supports no staff negligence to protect the team

Answer

A brief one-line entry is sufficient if the resident was not visibly injured