Home Health Aide Competency Test #2 2

Question 1

A patient who has had a total knee replacement is returning home after surgery. The aide should:

Accepted Answer

Follow the specific post-operative care plan, encourage prescribed exercises, assist with ambulation using prescribed assistive devices, and monitor for complications

Answer

Encourage the patient to avoid all movement to protect the new joint

Answer

Remove compression stockings to make the patient more comfortable

Answer

Encourage the patient to bear full weight immediately

Question 2

When providing care for a patient with a pressure ulcer, the aide's role includes:

Accepted Answer

Repositioning every 2 hours, protecting the wound from moisture, keeping the surrounding skin clean and dry, and reporting any changes in wound appearance

Answer

Independently debriding and packing the wound

Answer

Applying over-the-counter wound ointments at will

Answer

Changing wound dressings without nursing supervision

Question 3

When a patient's blood pressure is significantly elevated above their baseline (hypertensive urgency), the aide should:

Accepted Answer

Report immediately to the supervisor, have the patient rest quietly, do not leave the patient alone, and prepare to call 911 if symptoms of stroke or cardiac event appear

Answer

Have the patient lie flat to lower blood pressure

Answer

Give the patient an extra blood pressure pill from their prescription

Answer

Encourage vigorous deep breathing exercises

Question 4

A patient with limited English proficiency refuses care due to a communication barrier. The best action is to:

Accepted Answer

Contact the agency for a professional interpreter, use visual aids and simple gestures in the meantime, and document the communication barrier

Answer

Provide care anyway because the need is clear

Answer

Ask a family member or neighbor to translate immediately

Answer

Stop all care services until a fluent aide is assigned

Question 5

A patient is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. The aide should avoid giving the patient large amounts of:

Accepted Answer

Dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, broccoli) in large quantities without consulting the care team

Answer

White bread and pasta

Answer

Fresh water

Answer

Plain protein foods such as chicken or fish

Question 6

A patient who is at risk for aspiration should NOT be fed:

Accepted Answer

Thin liquids such as water, juice, or broth if the care plan specifies thickened liquids only

Answer

Thickened liquids as ordered by the speech-language pathologist

Answer

Soft foods that require minimal chewing

Answer

Small, frequent meals