PSW Communication and Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct way for a PSW to correct an error made in a handwritten care record?
- Use correction fluid (white-out) to cover the mistake
- Erase the error completely
- Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it (Correct answer)
- Tear out the page and rewrite the entry
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial it
A single line through the error preserves the original entry for legal and auditing purposes, while the correction and initials show accountability.
Question 2: Which of the following demonstrates active listening by a PSW during a client interaction?
- Finishing the client's sentences to save time
- Making eye contact, nodding, and reflecting back what the client said (Correct answer)
- Taking notes throughout the conversation to capture everything
- Waiting for the client to finish before thinking of a response
Correct answer: Making eye contact, nodding, and reflecting back what the client said
Active listening involves giving full attention, using non-verbal cues, and reflecting content back to show understanding and encourage continued communication.
Question 3: A PSW is asked by a neighbor what is wrong with the client they are caring for. The PSW should:
- Share general information to be polite and neighborly
- Decline to share any information and explain that client information is confidential (Correct answer)
- Refer the neighbor to the client's family
- Only share information that is not medical in nature
Correct answer: Decline to share any information and explain that client information is confidential
Client information is confidential, and PSWs must protect privacy by not disclosing any personal or health information to unauthorized persons.
Question 4: In the context of a PSW's role, what does 'reporting up the chain of care' mean?
- Telling other PSWs about a client's condition
- Informing a supervisor or nurse of changes or concerns beyond the PSW's scope (Correct answer)
- Writing a formal complaint about a client
- Updating the client's family directly
Correct answer: Informing a supervisor or nurse of changes or concerns beyond the PSW's scope
Reporting up the chain of care means escalating observations and concerns to the supervising professional who has the clinical authority to act on them.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of non-verbal communication a PSW should be aware of?
- The tone of voice used when speaking
- A client's facial expression and body posture (Correct answer)
- The words chosen to explain a procedure
- The written notes left for the next caregiver
Correct answer: A client's facial expression and body posture
Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body posture often communicate a client's emotional state or discomfort more accurately than words.
Question 6: Why is it important for a PSW to document the time and date on all care notes?
- To calculate the PSW's billable hours accurately
- To establish a clear timeline of care that supports continuity and legal accountability (Correct answer)
- To remind the client when their next appointment is
- To allow supervisors to check if the PSW arrived on time
Correct answer: To establish a clear timeline of care that supports continuity and legal accountability
Time-stamped documentation creates a legal and clinical record showing exactly when care and observations occurred, which is critical for continuity and accountability.
PSW Communication and Documentation 2
What is the correct way for a PSW to correct an error made in a handwritten care record?