HCA Safety and Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client begins having a seizure. Which action is MOST appropriate for the HCA?
- Restrain the client's limbs to prevent injury
- Insert a padded tongue blade into the client's mouth
- Clear the area of hard objects and time the seizure (Correct answer)
- Lay the client on their back with legs elevated
Correct answer: Clear the area of hard objects and time the seizure
During a seizure, the HCA should protect the client from injury by clearing the surrounding area and timing the episode, but never restrain movements or insert anything into the mouth.
Question 2: What does the acronym RACE stand for in fire emergency response?
- Remove, Alert, Contain, Extinguish
- Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate (Correct answer)
- Run, Activate, Close, Escape
- React, Assess, Call, Evacuate
Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate
RACE stands for Rescue persons in danger, Alarm (activate the fire alarm), Confine the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate.
Question 3: Which blood pressure reading would the HCA report as a possible hypertensive emergency?
- 118/76 mmHg
- 130/85 mmHg
- 145/92 mmHg
- 185/115 mmHg (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 185/115 mmHg
A blood pressure of 185/115 mmHg or higher, especially with symptoms, indicates a hypertensive emergency requiring immediate reporting and intervention.
Question 4: When applying standard precautions, gloves should ALWAYS be worn when:
- Helping a client eat a meal
- Performing range-of-motion exercises
- Handling blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces (Correct answer)
- Taking a client's blood pressure
Correct answer: Handling blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated surfaces
Standard precautions require gloves any time there is potential contact with blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
Question 5: A client complains of sudden crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. After calling for help, the HCA should NEXT:
- Have the client walk to the nurses' station
- Loosen tight clothing and have the client sit or lie in a comfortable position (Correct answer)
- Give the client a full glass of water
- Begin chest compressions immediately
Correct answer: Loosen tight clothing and have the client sit or lie in a comfortable position
While awaiting emergency response, the HCA should keep the client calm and comfortable by loosening restrictive clothing and positioning them to reduce cardiac workload.
Question 6: What is the safest way to dispose of a used razor blade in a long-term care facility?
- Wrap in paper and place in the regular trash
- Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container (Correct answer)
- Cap it and return it to the supply room
- Rinse and leave on the client's sink for reuse
Correct answer: Place directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
All sharps, including razor blades, must be placed immediately into a designated puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick and sharps injuries.
Question 7: A client is found on the floor and is unresponsive. What should the HCA assess FIRST before initiating CPR?
- Whether the client has a DNR order
- Scene safety and the client's pulse and breathing (Correct answer)
- The client's most recent vital signs in the chart
- Whether other staff members are available to help
Correct answer: Scene safety and the client's pulse and breathing
Before beginning CPR, the rescuer must confirm scene safety and then check whether the client is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and without a pulse.
HCA Safety and Emergency Procedures 3
A client begins having a seizure.
Which action is MOST appropriate for the HCA?