Practice Test Geeks(PCA) Personal Care Assistant Practice Test
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Basic Nursing Skills Flashcards

7 cards from real PCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Basic Nursing Skills flashcards as text

  1. A client suddenly stops breathing and has no pulse. The PCA should FIRST:

    Answer: Call out for help and activate the emergency response system (call 911)

    In a cardiac arrest situation, the PCA must immediately activate emergency response (call 911 or the facility's code team) and begin CPR if trained.

  2. A client who is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe requires:

    Answer: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

    A complete airway obstruction — when the client cannot cough, speak, or breathe — requires abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) immediately.

  3. Which information is MOST important to document after providing personal care to a client?

    Answer: What care was provided, the time, and any observations or changes noted

    Accurate documentation must include what care was given, when, and any notable observations or changes in the client's condition.

  4. A client tells the PCA: 'I don't want you to tell anyone, but I've been thinking about hurting myself.' The PCA should:

    Answer: Report the statement to the supervising nurse immediately

    Statements about self-harm are never kept confidential; the PCA must report this to the supervising nurse immediately to ensure client safety.

  5. When a client refuses a procedure or care task, the PCA should:

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

    Clients have the right to refuse care; the PCA must respect that right and report the refusal to the nurse so it can be addressed appropriately.

  6. The correct method for disposing of a used sharp (needle) in a home setting is to:

    Answer: Place it in an approved puncture-resistant sharps container

    Used sharps must be placed immediately into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needle-stick injuries and infection.

  7. A client returns from a shower and the PCA notices a new red rash on their back. The PCA should:

    Answer: Report the observation to the supervising nurse and document it

    Any new or unusual skin findings must be reported to the supervising nurse promptly and documented accurately in the care record.