UNAR Basic Patient Care Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assisting a patient with a bed bath, in which order should body parts be washed?
- Face first, then arms, trunk, legs, and perineal area last (Correct answer)
- Perineal area first to prevent infection spread
- Legs first, then trunk, arms, and face last
- Back first, then front of body
Correct answer: Face first, then arms, trunk, legs, and perineal area last
Bathing proceeds from cleanest to dirtiest areas, starting with the face and ending with the perineal area to prevent spreading microorganisms.
Question 2: A nursing assistant is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. What is the most important safety precaution?
- Position the patient on their side to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Use a large amount of water to rinse the mouth thoroughly
- Brush teeth vigorously to remove all debris
- Perform oral care only once per day
Correct answer: Position the patient on their side to prevent aspiration
Positioning an unconscious patient on their side prevents fluid from flowing into the airway and causing aspiration.
Question 3: How often should a bedridden patient be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every hour
- Every 8 hours
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
Standard practice requires repositioning every 2 hours to relieve pressure on bony prominences and maintain skin integrity.
Question 4: When performing nail care for a diabetic patient, the nursing assistant should:
- Clip toenails straight across using nail clippers
- File toenails only and report findings to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Soak feet for 20 minutes before trimming nails
- Trim nails in a curved shape to prevent ingrown nails
Correct answer: File toenails only and report findings to the nurse
Diabetic patients have impaired circulation and healing; nail care should be limited to filing and any concerns reported to the nurse.
Question 5: Which water temperature is appropriate for a patient's bath?
- 105–115°F (40–46°C) (Correct answer)
- 115–120°F (46–49°C)
- 95–100°F (35–38°C)
- 120–125°F (49–52°C)
Correct answer: 105–115°F (40–46°C)
Bath water should be between 105–115°F to be comfortable and safe, preventing burns especially in patients with reduced sensation.
Question 6: A patient refuses to take a bath on their scheduled day. The nursing assistant should:
- Bathe the patient anyway to maintain hygiene standards
- Document the refusal and inform the nurse (Correct answer)
- Skip the bath and reschedule without documenting
- Call the family to convince the patient
Correct answer: Document the refusal and inform the nurse
Patients have the right to refuse care; the nursing assistant must document the refusal and notify the nurse to ensure appropriate follow-up.
Question 7: When shampooing a bedridden patient's hair, which piece of equipment is most helpful?
- A regular shower chair moved to the bedside
- An inflatable or plastic shampoo trough (Correct answer)
- A folded towel placed under the head
- A portable shower head only
Correct answer: An inflatable or plastic shampoo trough
A shampoo trough channels water away from the bed and allows for thorough hair washing without getting the patient or bed linens wet.
UNAR Basic Patient Care Techniques 2
When assisting a patient with a bed bath, in which order should body parts be washed?