Competency Test #2 1 Flashcards

A home health aide notices that an elderly patient has not eaten or drunk anything in the past 24 hours and appears confused. The aide should:

Answer: Document the observation and immediately report it to the supervising nurse

Changes in eating, drinking, or mental status can signal serious medical deterioration. The aide's role is to observe, document, and report findings to the nurse promptly — not to diagnose or independently intervene.

When assisting a patient with a Foley catheter during personal care, the aide should:

Answer: Clean the catheter tubing from the insertion site outward using soap and water

Catheter care requires cleaning from the meatus outward to prevent introducing bacteria. The drainage bag must always remain below bladder level, and the tubing should never be clamped or disconnected without a clinical order.

A patient tells the home health aide, 'I don't want to take my medications today.' The aide should:

Answer: Respect the refusal, document it, and report it to the supervising nurse

Competent patients have the right to refuse any treatment, including medications. The aide must respect this right, document the refusal, and notify the nurse so the care team can follow up appropriately.

While transferring a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, the patient begins to feel dizzy and weak. The aide should:

Answer: Lower the patient safely to the floor or back onto the bed and call for help

If a patient becomes dizzy mid-transfer, the safest action is to lower them in a controlled manner to the nearest safe surface to prevent a fall. Calling for help ensures proper assessment follows.

A home health aide is caring for a patient who is on a fluid restriction of 1,000 mL per day. The aide should:

Answer: Track all fluid intake including water, soup, and ice cream, and report totals to the nurse

Fluid restrictions apply to all foods that are liquid at room temperature, including soups, gelatin, and ice cream. The aide is responsible for accurately tracking and reporting all intake as part of the care plan.

A patient with diabetes complains of shakiness, sweating, and feels 'funny' during the aide's visit. The aide should:

Answer: Give the patient a source of fast-acting sugar such as juice or glucose tablets if they are conscious and able to swallow, and notify the nurse

Shakiness and sweating in a diabetic patient are classic signs of hypoglycemia. If the patient is conscious and can swallow safely, a fast-acting carbohydrate source is appropriate first aid, followed by immediate notification of the nurse.