PCA Assisting with Daily Living Activities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When cutting a client's fingernails, the PCA should cut them:
- In a curved shape, following the natural contour of the nail
- Straight across to help prevent ingrown nails (Correct answer)
- As short as possible to avoid scratching
- Only with scissors, never clippers
Correct answer: Straight across to help prevent ingrown nails
Cutting fingernails straight across reduces the risk of ingrown nails and skin tears.
Question 2: A client who is visually impaired sits down to eat. The PCA can best orient the client to the meal tray by:
- Feeding the client directly to avoid spills
- Describing food locations using a clock-face reference (e.g., 'potatoes at 6 o'clock') (Correct answer)
- Moving all items to one side of the tray
- Reading the entire menu card aloud
Correct answer: Describing food locations using a clock-face reference (e.g., 'potatoes at 6 o'clock')
The clock-face method gives a visually impaired client a reliable spatial reference to eat independently.
Question 3: During perineal care on a female client, the PCA should clean:
- From back to front to remove bacteria efficiently
- From front to back to prevent introducing bacteria into the urinary tract (Correct answer)
- In circular motions starting at the inner thighs
- Only the outer area to respect the client's privacy
Correct answer: From front to back to prevent introducing bacteria into the urinary tract
Front-to-back cleaning prevents fecal bacteria from contaminating the urinary tract and reducing infection risk.
Question 4: A client with Parkinson's disease is dressing and is very slow due to tremors. The PCA should:
- Take over and dress the client quickly to stay on schedule
- Allow extra time and offer assistance only when the client struggles (Correct answer)
- Schedule dressing tasks for when family members can take over
- Ask the supervisor to change the client to a sponge-bath routine
Correct answer: Allow extra time and offer assistance only when the client struggles
Allowing extra time and assisting only when needed supports the client's independence and dignity.
Question 5: Which water temperature is generally considered safe for a client's bath?
- 105–115°F (40–46°C)
- 90–95°F (32–35°C)
- 100–105°F (38–41°C) (Correct answer)
- 115–120°F (46–49°C)
Correct answer: 100–105°F (38–41°C)
Water between 100–105°F is comfortable and safe; hotter water risks burns, especially for clients with reduced sensation.
Question 6: A client has a contracture in their left arm. When dressing the client, the PCA should:
- Dress the unaffected right arm first, then the left
- Dress the affected left arm first, then the right (Correct answer)
- Skip putting a sleeve on the contracted arm to avoid pain
- Ask the client to straighten the arm before assisting
Correct answer: Dress the affected left arm first, then the right
Dressing the affected limb first reduces pain and awkward maneuvering when range of motion is limited.
Question 7: A client spills food on themselves during mealtime assistance. The PCA's first action should be to:
- Complete the meal first and clean up afterward
- Calmly assist the client to clean up and check for skin irritation (Correct answer)
- Document the incident and continue without stopping
- Change the client's clothes immediately and skip the rest of the meal
Correct answer: Calmly assist the client to clean up and check for skin irritation
Promptly cleaning a spill and checking for skin irritation protects the client from discomfort and potential skin breakdown.
PCA Assisting with Daily Living Activities 3
When cutting a client's fingernails, the PCA should cut them: