PCA Basic Patient Care Skills 3

Question 1

A patient tells you they need to use the bathroom but their call light is out of reach. What should the PCA do first?

Accepted Answer

Assist the patient immediately and report the call light issue

Answer

Patient safety and needs take priority; assist immediately, then report the equipment problem to the charge nurse.

Question 2

Which action best protects a patient's dignity during perineal care?

Accepted Answer

Keep the patient fully covered and expose only the area being cleaned

Answer

Exposing only the necessary area maintains privacy and preserves the patient's dignity throughout care.

Question 3

What is the correct order for measuring a blood pressure reading?

Accepted Answer

Apply cuff, place stethoscope, inflate cuff, deflate slowly

Answer

Applying the cuff first, then positioning the stethoscope, allows correct placement before inflation and controlled deflation.

Question 4

A patient who has been in bed for several days begins to stand and reports feeling dizzy. What is the PCA's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Lower the patient back to bed and report to the nurse

Answer

Dizziness on standing (orthostatic hypotension) is a fall risk; return the patient to bed and notify the nurse.

Question 5

When should a PCA perform hand hygiene?

Accepted Answer

Before and after every patient contact and after removing gloves

Answer

Hand hygiene before and after patient contact and glove removal is the primary method of infection prevention.

(PCA) Personal Care Assistant Practice Test