HHA Personal Care and Hygiene 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, what is the most important safety precaution?
- Use extra toothpaste for thorough cleaning
- Position the patient on their side to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Rinse the mouth vigorously with water
- Use a regular toothbrush for better cleaning
Correct 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.
Question 2: A client has fragile, dry skin due to aging. Which lotion application technique is most appropriate?
- Apply lotion with brisk, vigorous rubbing to stimulate circulation
- Use gentle, long strokes in the direction of hair growth (Correct answer)
- Apply only to areas that appear visibly dry
- Avoid lotion on the extremities to prevent falls
Correct 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.
Question 3: How often should a bedridden client's position be changed to prevent skin breakdown?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Once per shift
- Only when the client requests it
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on bony prominences and prevents pressure ulcer development.
Question 4: When trimming a diabetic client's toenails, the HHA should:
- Cut nails short and round the corners
- Cut nails straight across and file edges smooth (Correct answer)
- Trim nails only if they appear infected
- Clip the nails at an angle for comfort
Correct 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.
Question 5: A client refuses to bathe for the third day in a row. What is the best initial response?
- Document the refusal and report it to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Force the bath to maintain hygiene standards
- Skip bathing entirely until the client asks
- Argue with the client about the importance of hygiene
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which water temperature is considered safe for a client's bath or shower?
- 110°F (43°C)
- 100–105°F (38–41°C) (Correct answer)
- 85°F (29°C)
- 115°F (46°C)
Correct 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.
Question 7: When giving a complete bed bath, in what order should body areas be washed?
- Feet first, then face, then genitals
- Face first, then body, then genitals last (Correct answer)
- Genitals first to remove the dirtiest area, then face
- Back first, then face, then extremities
Correct answer: Face first, then body, then genitals last
Washing from cleanest to least clean—face first and genitals last—minimizes spread of microorganisms.
HHA Personal Care and Hygiene 2
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, what is the most important safety precaution?