PCA Ethical and Legal Responsibilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client's adult son calls and asks for a detailed update on his mother's health condition. What should the PCA do?
- Share all medical details since he is family
- Refuse to share any information and hang up
- Ask the client first if she consents to sharing information with her son (Correct answer)
- Tell the son to contact the physician directly
Correct answer: Ask the client first if she consents to sharing information with her son
HIPAA requires client consent before sharing health information, even with family members.
Question 2: Which action by a PCA would be considered a boundary violation?
- Preparing a meal for the client
- Accepting a small gift of homemade cookies occasionally
- Borrowing money from the client for personal expenses (Correct answer)
- Helping the client bathe and dress
Correct answer: Borrowing money from the client for personal expenses
Borrowing money from clients is a financial boundary violation that can constitute exploitation.
Question 3: A PCA notices unexplained bruising on a client who lives alone. What is the legally required next step?
- Document it and tell the client's family
- Report it to the supervisor and follow mandatory reporting protocols (Correct answer)
- Take a photo and keep it on file
- Ask the client about it and drop the matter if they deny abuse
Correct answer: Report it to the supervisor and follow mandatory reporting protocols
PCAs are mandatory reporters and must report suspected abuse to their supervisor and appropriate authorities.
Question 4: A client with dementia refuses to take a prescribed medication. What should the PCA do?
- Crush the medication and hide it in food without telling the client
- Force the client to take it for their own health
- Document the refusal and notify the supervisor or nurse (Correct answer)
- Skip the medication and not report it
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the supervisor or nurse
A client has the right to refuse treatment; the PCA must document and report the refusal to appropriate personnel.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes informed consent in PCA care?
- The agency signs a consent form on behalf of the client
- The client understands and agrees to care procedures before they are performed (Correct answer)
- Consent is assumed because the client hired the PCA
- Consent only applies to medical procedures performed by nurses
Correct answer: The client understands and agrees to care procedures before they are performed
Informed consent means the client understands what will be done and agrees to it before care is provided.
Question 6: A PCA discovers that a coworker has been stealing small items from a client. What is the correct response?
- Confront the coworker privately and warn them to stop
- Ignore it since it is not the PCA's business
- Report the misconduct to the supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Tell the client to hide their valuables
Correct answer: Report the misconduct to the supervisor immediately
PCAs have a duty to report theft or abuse by any caregiver to protect client safety and welfare.
Question 7: When is it acceptable for a PCA to share client information on social media?
- When the client's face is not shown in photos
- When the post is set to private
- Never — client information must remain confidential at all times (Correct answer)
- Only when discussing general care topics without naming the client
Correct answer: Never — client information must remain confidential at all times
Client confidentiality is absolute; PCAs must never share client information or images on social media.
PCA Ethical and Legal Responsibilities 2
A client's adult son calls and asks for a detailed update on his mother's health condition.
What should the PCA do?