PCA Health and Safety Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a bed bath for a client, what is the correct order for washing body parts to prevent infection?
- Face, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, perineal area (Correct answer)
- Back, legs, arms, chest, face, abdomen, perineal area
- Perineal area, face, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back
- Arms, face, back, perineal area, abdomen, chest, legs
Correct answer: Face, arms, chest, abdomen, legs, back, perineal area
Washing from clean to dirty areas (face first, perineal area last) prevents spreading microorganisms from contaminated to cleaner areas.
Question 2: A client's skin appears red and does not return to normal color after you remove pressure. This is most likely a:
- Stage 1 pressure injury (Correct answer)
- Stage 2 pressure injury
- Stage 3 pressure injury
- Deep tissue injury
Correct answer: Stage 1 pressure injury
Non-blanchable redness of intact skin is the hallmark sign of a Stage 1 pressure injury and must be reported immediately.
Question 3: Which of the following actions best prevents the spread of C. difficile (C. diff) in a client's home?
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer after every client contact
- Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Correct answer)
- Wearing gloves only when handling soiled linens
- Spraying surfaces with alcohol-based disinfectant
Correct answer: Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill C. diff spores; soap and water friction is required to physically remove them from hands.
Question 4: When using a gait belt to assist a client who begins to fall, the PCA should:
- Try to catch the client and hold them upright
- Lower the client safely to the floor while protecting their head (Correct answer)
- Call for help before doing anything else
- Pull the client backward toward a chair
Correct answer: Lower the client safely to the floor while protecting their head
Attempting to stop a fall increases injury risk for both the client and PCA; the safest action is a controlled lowering to the floor.
Question 5: A client on oxygen asks if they can smoke while receiving oxygen therapy. The PCA should:
- Allow smoking only if a window is open
- Allow one cigarette if the oxygen is turned off first
- Explain that smoking near oxygen is a fire hazard and report to the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Ignore the request since it is the client's right to smoke
Correct answer: Explain that smoking near oxygen is a fire hazard and report to the supervisor
Oxygen accelerates combustion and smoking near it is a serious fire hazard; the PCA must inform the supervisor and educate the client.
Question 6: The recommended safe water temperature for bathing a client with decreased sensation (e.g., diabetic neuropathy) is:
- Under 105°F (40.6°C) (Correct answer)
- 110–115°F (43–46°C)
- 120°F (49°C)
- Whatever temperature the client prefers
Correct answer: Under 105°F (40.6°C)
Clients with reduced sensation cannot detect scalding; water should be tested with a thermometer or the PCA's elbow and kept below 105°F.
Question 7: Which situation requires a PCA to complete an incident report?
- A client refuses to eat their lunch
- A client slips in the bathroom but is uninjured (Correct answer)
- A client requests a different meal time
- A client asks about their medication schedule
Correct answer: A client slips in the bathroom but is uninjured
Any fall or near-fall must be documented in an incident report, even if the client is not visibly injured, to ensure follow-up assessment.
PCA Health and Safety Procedures 2
When performing a bed bath for a client, what is the correct order for washing body parts to prevent infection?