Health & Safety Protocols 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 Health & Safety Protocols flashcards as text
When using a RACE protocol during a fire, what does the letter 'C' stand for?
Answer: Contain the fire by closing doors
In RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate), 'C' stands for Contain — closing doors slows the spread of fire and smoke.
A client begins choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe. After calling 911, what should the PCA do next?
Answer: Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) immediately
A conscious adult who cannot cough or breathe requires immediate abdominal thrusts to clear a complete airway obstruction.
Which environmental modification is most effective for preventing falls in an elderly client's home?
Answer: Installing grab bars in the bathroom and securing loose rugs
Grab bars provide stable support in high-risk areas, and securing loose rugs eliminates a major tripping hazard.
A client's oxygen concentrator alarms and stops flowing. What should the PCA do first?
Answer: Check that the device is plugged in and the tubing is not kinked, then call for help if the alarm continues
A quick check for power and obstructions can resolve simple equipment failures; if the problem persists, supervisor or emergency services must be contacted.
A PCA finds a client unconscious and not breathing. CPR-trained agency policy requires calling 911 first. After calling, what is the next step?
Answer: Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute
After activating EMS, immediate high-quality chest compressions at 100–120 per minute are the next priority to maintain circulation.
How should a PCA respond if a client reports a sudden, severe headache described as 'the worst of my life'?
Answer: Call 911 immediately and keep the client calm and still
A 'thunderclap' headache described as the worst ever is a red-flag symptom of a possible subarachnoid hemorrhage requiring immediate emergency care.
During an earthquake, a PCA is indoors with a client who uses a wheelchair. What is the safest action?
Answer: Lock the wheelchair and have the client shelter under a sturdy table or desk, protecting their head and neck
The Drop, Cover, Hold On method applies to wheelchair users — lock brakes, lean forward, and protect the head and neck under a sturdy surface.