PCA Personal Hygiene & Grooming 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client has dentures. When should the PCA remove and clean them?
- Only when the client requests it
- At least once daily, usually at bedtime (Correct answer)
- Once a week to prevent over-handling
- Only when visible food debris is present
Correct answer: At least once daily, usually at bedtime
Dentures should be removed and cleaned at least once daily, typically at bedtime, to prevent bacterial buildup and maintain oral health.
Question 2: When assisting a client with nail care, which action requires a nurse's authorization before the PCA proceeds?
- Filing nails into a rounded shape
- Trimming nails on a client with diabetes (Correct answer)
- Applying lotion around the nail bed
- Pushing back softened cuticles gently
Correct answer: Trimming nails on a client with diabetes
Clients with diabetes have poor circulation and healing, so nail trimming must be authorized and sometimes performed by a nurse to avoid injury or infection.
Question 3: A client refuses to bathe for the third day in a row. What is the BEST first response by the PCA?
- Document refusal and notify the supervisor (Correct answer)
- Insist the bath must happen for health reasons
- Bathe the client while they sleep
- Ignore the refusal and try again tomorrow without reporting
Correct answer: Document refusal and notify the supervisor
Respecting client autonomy while documenting and reporting refusals ensures the care team can address underlying causes and keep the client safe.
Question 4: Which water temperature is generally recommended when drawing a bath for an elderly client?
- 110–115°F to promote circulation
- 90–95°F to avoid chilling
- 100–105°F for comfort and safety (Correct answer)
- 85–90°F to prevent burns
Correct answer: 100–105°F for comfort and safety
Water between 100–105°F is warm enough for comfort while reducing the risk of burns, which are a concern for elderly clients with reduced skin sensitivity.
Question 5: When shampooing a bedridden client's hair, the PCA should position the client:
- Flat on their back with a waterproof pad under the head (Correct answer)
- In a high Fowler's position with a towel on the shoulders
- On their side facing away from the caregiver
- Semi-reclined with a dry shampoo cap as the only option
Correct answer: Flat on their back with a waterproof pad under the head
Lying flat with a waterproof pad and shampoo basin under the head allows safe and effective hair washing without soaking the bed.
Question 6: A male client needs perineal care. Which direction should the PCA clean?
- From the perineum toward the urethral opening
- From the urethral opening outward in a circular motion (Correct answer)
- From back to front to cover the largest area first
- Direction does not matter if soap is used
Correct answer: From the urethral opening outward in a circular motion
Cleaning from the urethral opening outward prevents introducing bacteria from surrounding areas into the urethra, reducing infection risk.
Question 7: What is the purpose of applying lotion after bathing a client?
- To treat existing skin infections
- To prevent dry skin and maintain skin integrity (Correct answer)
- To mask body odor between baths
- To cool the skin after hot water exposure
Correct answer: To prevent dry skin and maintain skin integrity
Lotion seals in moisture after bathing, preventing dry, cracked skin that can become an entry point for infection.
PCA Personal Hygiene & Grooming 2
A client has dentures.
When should the PCA remove and clean them?