Podcast
Questions and Answers
Reinforcing a dressing is allowed.
Reinforcing a dressing is allowed.
True
Applying a hot pack is permitted for a PCA.
Applying a hot pack is permitted for a PCA.
False
Giving an enema is within the PCA's scope of practice.
Giving an enema is within the PCA's scope of practice.
False
Administering medication is a task for a PCA.
Administering medication is a task for a PCA.
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Changing a sterile dressing is allowed for a PCA.
Changing a sterile dressing is allowed for a PCA.
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A PCA can assist with changing a colostomy bag.
A PCA can assist with changing a colostomy bag.
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Giving a rectal suppository is allowed for a PCA.
Giving a rectal suppository is allowed for a PCA.
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PCA may give tubal feedings.
PCA may give tubal feedings.
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A PCA can give insulin to a patient.
A PCA can give insulin to a patient.
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Cutting nails is a task for a PCA.
Cutting nails is a task for a PCA.
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As a Personal Care Assistant, how do you work?
As a Personal Care Assistant, how do you work?
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What is your duty when working in a home as a PCA?
What is your duty when working in a home as a PCA?
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What should you do as a PCA according to assigned tasks?
What should you do as a PCA according to assigned tasks?
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Being a good listener is important in the home.
Being a good listener is important in the home.
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Always tell the patient what you are going to do before starting a procedure.
Always tell the patient what you are going to do before starting a procedure.
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You only communicate through words.
You only communicate through words.
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Which of the following is important in communicating with people?
Which of the following is important in communicating with people?
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What is body language?
What is body language?
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What should PCA care for a conscious patient be preceded by?
What should PCA care for a conscious patient be preceded by?
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What should Miss Harris do if she feels very angry while caring for Mr. Goodway?
What should Miss Harris do if she feels very angry while caring for Mr. Goodway?
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What should the PCA do when a patient accuses them of stealing money?
What should the PCA do when a patient accuses them of stealing money?
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If you do not chart a task that you do for a patient, legally, it was not done.
If you do not chart a task that you do for a patient, legally, it was not done.
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If the patient has a new area of skin breakdown and the nurse is not coming for two days, do you need to report it?
If the patient has a new area of skin breakdown and the nurse is not coming for two days, do you need to report it?
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A rapid pulse and shortness of breath usually indicate the patient is excited and does not need to be reported.
A rapid pulse and shortness of breath usually indicate the patient is excited and does not need to be reported.
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What should be done if a patient tells you he has not moved his bowels in three days?
What should be done if a patient tells you he has not moved his bowels in three days?
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Which actions is the Personal Care Assistant permitted to take in relation to drug administration?
Which actions is the Personal Care Assistant permitted to take in relation to drug administration?
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What should the PCA do first when a patient complains of pain?
What should the PCA do first when a patient complains of pain?
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What should a PCA notify the agency supervisor about regarding a patient with a changed prescription for heart pills?
What should a PCA notify the agency supervisor about regarding a patient with a changed prescription for heart pills?
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What should the PCA do immediately if Mrs. Rand feels nervous and jittery due to her diabetes?
What should the PCA do immediately if Mrs. Rand feels nervous and jittery due to her diabetes?
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Always report a pulse rate if the beats per minute are under 60 or over 100.
Always report a pulse rate if the beats per minute are under 60 or over 100.
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The temperature of an unconscious patient should be taken orally.
The temperature of an unconscious patient should be taken orally.
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Recording a patient's 'TPR' or vital signs is unnecessary if you remember what they were.
Recording a patient's 'TPR' or vital signs is unnecessary if you remember what they were.
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Which body area is considered to have a normal temperature of 99.6 degrees F?
Which body area is considered to have a normal temperature of 99.6 degrees F?
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How long should you take a patient's pulse?
How long should you take a patient's pulse?
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What is best when counting a patient's respirations?
What is best when counting a patient's respirations?
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Hand washing is the single best way to decrease the transfer of pathogens.
Hand washing is the single best way to decrease the transfer of pathogens.
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Gloves should only be worn when handling items soiled by body fluids.
Gloves should only be worn when handling items soiled by body fluids.
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The catheter drainage bag must be lower than the bladder, but not on the floor.
The catheter drainage bag must be lower than the bladder, but not on the floor.
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When should you wash your hands after removing gloves?
When should you wash your hands after removing gloves?
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In what situations should gloves be used?
In what situations should gloves be used?
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Diarrhea can cause dehydration and complications and must be reported.
Diarrhea can cause dehydration and complications and must be reported.
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If a person complains of pain, it is important to describe the pain and report it.
If a person complains of pain, it is important to describe the pain and report it.
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It's normal for most people to complain of pressure, swelling, or bloating.
It's normal for most people to complain of pressure, swelling, or bloating.
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What is the first thing you should do if you notice a patient's catheter is not draining?
What is the first thing you should do if you notice a patient's catheter is not draining?
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Which of the following is not recommended for promoting good daily bowel habits?
Which of the following is not recommended for promoting good daily bowel habits?
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What should the PCA do if Mrs. Morris hasn't had a bowel movement for three days and requests an enema?
What should the PCA do if Mrs. Morris hasn't had a bowel movement for three days and requests an enema?
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Bedrails should never be used to secure vest restraints.
Bedrails should never be used to secure vest restraints.
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Smoking in bed is allowed for anyone who is not confused.
Smoking in bed is allowed for anyone who is not confused.
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Part of your duty as a PCA is to assure a safe home environment. This includes:
Part of your duty as a PCA is to assure a safe home environment. This includes:
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What safety precautions should be taken for a patient receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula?
What safety precautions should be taken for a patient receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula?
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For an injury with profuse bleeding, apply pressure and call for assistance.
For an injury with profuse bleeding, apply pressure and call for assistance.
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If a patient begins to have a seizure, your first responsibility is to prevent injury.
If a patient begins to have a seizure, your first responsibility is to prevent injury.
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If a patient falls and complains of pain in their hip, you should help them get up and walk to the bed.
If a patient falls and complains of pain in their hip, you should help them get up and walk to the bed.
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Before first-aid measures for a choking patient, what should you determine?
Before first-aid measures for a choking patient, what should you determine?
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What should the PCA do while giving a bath to an unresponsive patient?
What should the PCA do while giving a bath to an unresponsive patient?
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For which of these emergencies is knowledge of pressure points essential?
For which of these emergencies is knowledge of pressure points essential?
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Which telephone number is important for a patient that the PCA must have access to?
Which telephone number is important for a patient that the PCA must have access to?
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Every patient is the same and has the same needs and wants.
Every patient is the same and has the same needs and wants.
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It is acceptable to use any item in the home without asking as long as it is for the patient's personal care.
It is acceptable to use any item in the home without asking as long as it is for the patient's personal care.
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You may use the telephone in the patient's home without asking permission.
You may use the telephone in the patient's home without asking permission.
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How should you respond to a neighbor asking about a patient in your care?
How should you respond to a neighbor asking about a patient in your care?
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Which of these statements about the elderly is true?
Which of these statements about the elderly is true?
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When working with persons who are disabled, what is the general goal of care?
When working with persons who are disabled, what is the general goal of care?
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What should a PCA do if a patient says she is not hungry, which is unusual behavior?
What should a PCA do if a patient says she is not hungry, which is unusual behavior?
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The ability to make observations is more important when working with infants and young children than with adults.
The ability to make observations is more important when working with infants and young children than with adults.
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It is important to keep a patient covered during a bed bath except for the part being washed.
It is important to keep a patient covered during a bed bath except for the part being washed.
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Massaging bony prominences helps prevent skin breakdown.
Massaging bony prominences helps prevent skin breakdown.
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When giving peri-care to a patient after a bowel movement, wash from back to front.
When giving peri-care to a patient after a bowel movement, wash from back to front.
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How should you test water temperature before giving a patient a bath?
How should you test water temperature before giving a patient a bath?
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What is the most appropriate practice to promote good skin care in the elderly?
What is the most appropriate practice to promote good skin care in the elderly?
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Where should dentures be stored if not worn at night?
Where should dentures be stored if not worn at night?
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What should the PCA do if an elderly male patient occasionally wets his trousers?
What should the PCA do if an elderly male patient occasionally wets his trousers?
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In giving foot care to a patient who has diabetes, soaking the patient's feet for more than 5 minutes is acceptable.
In giving foot care to a patient who has diabetes, soaking the patient's feet for more than 5 minutes is acceptable.
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Always transfer a patient towards their good side.
Always transfer a patient towards their good side.
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It's acceptable to reach for an object without being near it.
It's acceptable to reach for an object without being near it.
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It's best to use a gait belt if a patient is unsteady.
It's best to use a gait belt if a patient is unsteady.
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To help a patient lying on their back who has slid down in bed move up again, how should they start?
To help a patient lying on their back who has slid down in bed move up again, how should they start?
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Before helping a patient into or out of a wheelchair, you should lock the brakes.
Before helping a patient into or out of a wheelchair, you should lock the brakes.
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What should you do when assisting a patient to walk with a walker?
What should you do when assisting a patient to walk with a walker?
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What should the PCA do if a patient who has been on bed rest feels dizzy when getting up?
What should the PCA do if a patient who has been on bed rest feels dizzy when getting up?
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If a patient has had a stroke and has right-sided weakness, what is the recommended assistance position?
If a patient has had a stroke and has right-sided weakness, what is the recommended assistance position?
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What is essential when helping Mr. Sticke from the bed to the wheelchair considering his condition?
What is essential when helping Mr. Sticke from the bed to the wheelchair considering his condition?
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Passive range of motion exercises prevent contractures in paralyzed limbs.
Passive range of motion exercises prevent contractures in paralyzed limbs.
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You should continue range of motion exercises even if you feel resistance or the patient complains of pain.
You should continue range of motion exercises even if you feel resistance or the patient complains of pain.
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It's best to have a pillow between the legs of a patient with a new hip replacement.
It's best to have a pillow between the legs of a patient with a new hip replacement.
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To prevent bedsores in the elderly, what should you do?
To prevent bedsores in the elderly, what should you do?
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What action should the PCA take when caring for a newborn baby?
What action should the PCA take when caring for a newborn baby?
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Which statement describes good body mechanics?
Which statement describes good body mechanics?
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What should the PCA do to prevent bedsores when caring for a patient on bed rest?
What should the PCA do to prevent bedsores when caring for a patient on bed rest?
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Soy sauce is good to spice up a low salt diet.
Soy sauce is good to spice up a low salt diet.
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A regular diet is a well-balanced diet with no restrictions.
A regular diet is a well-balanced diet with no restrictions.
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Bread and potatoes are a good source of protein.
Bread and potatoes are a good source of protein.
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Foods on a liquid diet would include:
Foods on a liquid diet would include:
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Foods that are high in vitamin C include:
Foods that are high in vitamin C include:
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If there is 50cc left in a glass that holds 150cc, how should you record the intake?
If there is 50cc left in a glass that holds 150cc, how should you record the intake?
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Which of these foods is also high in calcium?
Which of these foods is also high in calcium?
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What problems may arise if a patient does not have enough fluids?
What problems may arise if a patient does not have enough fluids?
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When should the fluid intake be recorded for a patient?
When should the fluid intake be recorded for a patient?
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Patients on low salt diets are usually allowed to have which of these foods?
Patients on low salt diets are usually allowed to have which of these foods?
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How should the Personal Care Assistant handle religious beliefs expressed by patients?
How should the Personal Care Assistant handle religious beliefs expressed by patients?
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Study Notes
PCA Competency Test Key Points
- Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) must reinforce dressings but cannot apply hot packs, administer medications, or give enemas.
- PCAs can assist with colostomy bags but must perform only tasks assigned by licensed professionals.
- Effective communication includes listening, courtesy, and tact; body language is also crucial in conveying feelings.
- Always explain procedures to patients before beginning care tasks and maintain patient confidentiality in discussions about their health.
- Documenting care is vital; failure to chart can imply tasks were not completed.
- Report significant changes in a patient's condition, including skin breakdown and changes in bowel movements, to a supervisor.
- Communication about pain should begin with the PCA asking the patient to describe their pain.
- PCAs are allowed to record and report reactions to medications but cannot administer drugs.
- Safety protocols include keeping a catheter drainage bag below the bladder level, using gloves when handling bodily fluids, and consistently practicing hand hygiene.
- Urgent situations such as choking or seizures require assessing the patient's needs and calling for assistance while preventing injury.
- Transfer patients towards their stronger side, use gait belts for unsteady patients, and ensure wheelchair brakes are locked during transfers.
- Bedsores can be prevented with regular position changes, proper nutrition, and skin care.
- Nutritional knowledge includes recognizing that certain foods may not fit dietary restrictions, like soy sauce on a low-salt diet, and understanding proper liquid diet options.
- For patients who are elderly or have disabilities, promoting independence is essential while being attentive to their specific needs.
- PCAs must respect patients' rights to their personal beliefs and uphold their dignity in care practices.
- In emergency scenarios, applying pressure to bleeding injuries and ensuring immediate assistance are crucial.
- Always monitor vital signs and ensure cleanliness to prevent infection and complications from procedures.
- Understand that proper patient care means adapting techniques, particularly in sensitive cases like newborn care and elderly skin care.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards designed for the PCA Competency Exam in Georgia. Each card challenges your understanding of various tasks essential for patient care. Determine whether each statement is true or false to reinforce your nursing skills.
