Personal Care and Hygiene Flashcards
7 cards from real HHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Personal Care and Hygiene flashcards as text
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, what is the most important safety precaution?
Answer: Position the patient on their side to prevent aspiration
Positioning an unconscious patient on their side prevents fluid from flowing into the airway and causing aspiration.
A client has fragile, dry skin due to aging. Which lotion application technique is most appropriate?
Answer: Use gentle, long strokes in the direction of hair growth
Gentle, long strokes in the direction of hair growth moisturize effectively without damaging fragile skin.
How often should a bedridden client's position be changed to prevent skin breakdown?
Answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on bony prominences and prevents pressure ulcer development.
When trimming a diabetic client's toenails, the HHA should:
Answer: Cut nails straight across and file edges smooth
Cutting straight across and filing edges prevents ingrown nails and reduces infection risk in diabetic clients.
A client refuses to bathe for the third day in a row. What is the best initial response?
Answer: Document the refusal and report it to the supervisor
Documenting and reporting repeated refusals respects client rights while ensuring the care team can address underlying causes.
Which water temperature is considered safe for a client's bath or shower?
Answer: 100–105°F (38–41°C)
Water between 100–105°F is warm enough for comfort without risking scalding, especially for clients with reduced sensation.
When giving a complete bed bath, in what order should body areas be washed?
Answer: Face first, then body, then genitals last
Washing from cleanest to least clean—face first and genitals last—minimizes spread of microorganisms.