Podcast
Questions and Answers
A personal support worker does not provide emotional support to clients.
A personal support worker does not provide emotional support to clients.
False
Active listening is considered an important skill for personal support workers.
Active listening is considered an important skill for personal support workers.
True
Personal support workers are responsible for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) only.
Personal support workers are responsible for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) only.
False
A personal support worker's approach should remain professional at all times.
A personal support worker's approach should remain professional at all times.
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Personal support workers need to communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
Personal support workers need to communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
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Personal support workers are considered regulated healthcare providers.
Personal support workers are considered regulated healthcare providers.
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PSWs should recognize that every client has the same needs.
PSWs should recognize that every client has the same needs.
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The significance of client-centered care is highlighted in a personal support worker's training.
The significance of client-centered care is highlighted in a personal support worker's training.
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Microbes can only be seen with a microscope.
Microbes can only be seen with a microscope.
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Pathogenic bacteria are beneficial and do not cause illness.
Pathogenic bacteria are beneficial and do not cause illness.
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) is only necessary for standard practices.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is only necessary for standard practices.
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Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods are all effective means of infection prevention.
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods are all effective means of infection prevention.
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Viruses can remain dormant for years before becoming active.
Viruses can remain dormant for years before becoming active.
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Parasites obtain nourishment from dead organic matter.
Parasites obtain nourishment from dead organic matter.
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Infection can be transmitted through contaminated water and food.
Infection can be transmitted through contaminated water and food.
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The infection cycle includes risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention methods.
The infection cycle includes risk factors, signs and symptoms, and prevention methods.
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VRE is resistant to all antibiotics, including vancomycin.
VRE is resistant to all antibiotics, including vancomycin.
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Athlete's foot can be treated with antibiotics.
Athlete's foot can be treated with antibiotics.
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Pathogens are non-disease-causing microbes.
Pathogens are non-disease-causing microbes.
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves and masks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves and masks.
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Antiviral treatments are effective against bacterial infections.
Antiviral treatments are effective against bacterial infections.
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Microbes thrive in wet, warm, and dark environments.
Microbes thrive in wet, warm, and dark environments.
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Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs).
Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs).
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Lice, mites, and pinworms are treated with antifungal medications.
Lice, mites, and pinworms are treated with antifungal medications.
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Handwashing with soap and water is considered one of the best defenses against VRE.
Handwashing with soap and water is considered one of the best defenses against VRE.
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C-Diff bacteria do not produce toxins that can damage the bowel.
C-Diff bacteria do not produce toxins that can damage the bowel.
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Alcohol-based sanitizer is equally effective as washing with soap and water against C-Diff bacteria.
Alcohol-based sanitizer is equally effective as washing with soap and water against C-Diff bacteria.
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MRSA can be effectively treated with most antibiotics.
MRSA can be effectively treated with most antibiotics.
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Healthcare professionals can spread MRSA through skin to skin contact and improper hand hygiene.
Healthcare professionals can spread MRSA through skin to skin contact and improper hand hygiene.
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A person carrying MRSA may not show any signs or symptoms of infection.
A person carrying MRSA may not show any signs or symptoms of infection.
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Changing gloves between patients is not necessary when dealing with MRSA.
Changing gloves between patients is not necessary when dealing with MRSA.
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Sepsis is one of the potential symptoms caused by MRSA.
Sepsis is one of the potential symptoms caused by MRSA.
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Stress and lack of sleep do not affect a patient's risk of infection.
Stress and lack of sleep do not affect a patient's risk of infection.
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Airborne transmission involves pathogens traveling less than 1 meter.
Airborne transmission involves pathogens traveling less than 1 meter.
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Certain medications can contribute to an increased risk of infections.
Certain medications can contribute to an increased risk of infections.
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Droplet transmission occurs through physical contact with contaminated surfaces.
Droplet transmission occurs through physical contact with contaminated surfaces.
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Open wounds can increase a patient's risk of infection.
Open wounds can increase a patient's risk of infection.
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The Chain of Infection consists of four main interconnected steps.
The Chain of Infection consists of four main interconnected steps.
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Contact transmission can occur through both direct and indirect means.
Contact transmission can occur through both direct and indirect means.
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Extreme ages, such as being very young or very old, can reduce infection risk.
Extreme ages, such as being very young or very old, can reduce infection risk.
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Isolation precautions are only needed for clients with visible symptoms.
Isolation precautions are only needed for clients with visible symptoms.
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Donning PPE requires the use of gloves, gowns, and a fluid-resistant mask when droplet contact precautions are in effect.
Donning PPE requires the use of gloves, gowns, and a fluid-resistant mask when droplet contact precautions are in effect.
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Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with bodily fluids.
Hand hygiene should be performed before and after contact with bodily fluids.
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An N95 mask is not required for airborne precautions as long as the door is kept closed.
An N95 mask is not required for airborne precautions as long as the door is kept closed.
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Performing hand hygiene properly can significantly reduce the spread of infection.
Performing hand hygiene properly can significantly reduce the spread of infection.
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Washing hands with soap and water should take at least 30 seconds.
Washing hands with soap and water should take at least 30 seconds.
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Contact precautions require hand hygiene but not the use of gloves and gowns.
Contact precautions require hand hygiene but not the use of gloves and gowns.
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Healthcare workers should minimize splash while washing their hands.
Healthcare workers should minimize splash while washing their hands.
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Study Notes
Personal Support Worker (PSW) Role
- PSWs provide direct care to elderly, frail, disabled, and chronically ill individuals, helping with daily tasks.
- Tasks include personal needs (bathing, eating, dressing, mobility), emotional support, and monitoring health conditions.
- PSWs communicate with other healthcare professionals to ensure client well-being.
- Communication skills are vital for PSWs, including conversation, friendly demeanor, eye contact, active listening, and demonstrating presence to support mental health and wellness.
PSW Communication Skills
- PSWs should be able to provide conversation, to reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall mental health in clients.
- Maintaining a friendly demeanor, making eye contact and actively listening demonstrably shows support for general mental health and wellness.
- Active listening is crucial to recognize individual client requirements; clients need to be actively listened to in order to understand how to best respond.
PSW Role Objectives (Week 1)
- Definition of the goal of support work
- Identification of the PSW role within healthcare teams
- Outlining PSW responsibilities
- Differentiation between activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
- Differentiation between regulated and unregulated healthcare providers
- Explanation of the importance of understanding roles and responsibilities of support work
- Highlighting the significance of maintaining a professional approach to support work
- Listing principles of client-centered care
- Identifying critical thinking and problem-solving considerations
PSW Role Responsibilities
- Assisting and supporting clients and their families, including personal care, home management, and social and recreational activities.
- 24/7 or shift work
- Variety of settings (facility vs. community)
- Cost-effective care in home settings
Qualities of a PSW
- The document does not explicitly list qualities of a PSW.
Week One: Infection Prevention Objectives
- Defining microbes, bacteria, non-pathogens, multiple resistant organisms (MROs), personal protective equipment (PPE), and modes of transmission.
- Describing the infection cycle (risk factors, signs, symptoms, and prevention).
- Describing the chain of infection, differentiating between standard and transmission-based precautions.
- Explaining cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods relevant to appropriate precautions.
Microorganisms
- Microbes are life forms visible only through a microscope.
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are types of microbes; some cause illness, while others are beneficial.
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MROs)
- MROs are bacteria resistant to common antibiotics, easily spread in healthcare settings.
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is one example.
- Prevention and protection techniques include handwashing and proper PPE use (gloves).
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
- HAIs are infections resulting from healthcare settings or providers.
- Examples include MRSA, VRE, infections caused by C. difficile (also known as “C-Diff”), and certain types of pneumonia.
- Increased rates of infections like MRSA and VRE are observed.
Risk Factors of Infection in Older Patients
- Immune system weakening with age
- Signs to watch for include confusion, delirium, nasal discharge, cough, incontinence, loss of appetite, decreased ability to perform daily activities (ADLs), increased falls, and changes in mood.
Modes of Transmission
- Contact transmission: Direct or indirect physical contact. Examples include multi-drug resistant organisms (MROs), gastrointestinal infections, and skin infections.
- Droplet transmission: Microbes spread in droplets during coughing or sneezing, covering distances of less than 1 meter. Examples include meningitis, pneumonia, influenza, mumps, and COVID-19.
- Airborne transmission: Microbes dispersed through airborne particles or droplets, with a travel distance greater than 1 meter. Examples include measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis (TB), SARS, and certain types of COVID-19.
- Vehicle transmission: Microbes spread through contaminated objects like food, water, medical equipment, or bodily fluids. Examples include Hepatitis A, B, C, and HIV/AIDS.
Chain of Infection
- The chain of infection has six steps:
- Pathogen: A microbe causing disease.
- Reservoir: Where the pathogen lives.
- Portal of exit: Method of pathogen leaving the reservoir.
- Mode of transmission: How pathogen moves.
- Portal of entry: How pathogen enters a new host.
- Susceptible host: Who can become infected
How Health Care Workers Break the Chain of Infection
- Understanding how infections spread through recognizing modes of transmission (contact, droplet, airborne, and vehicle) points of vulnerability.
- Practicing proper hand hygiene, which includes washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or using at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks, and gowns.
- Adhering to isolation precautions and infection control guidelines.
- Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and surfaces regularly.
- Proper disposal of waste.
Standard Precautions/Routine Practices
- Standard precautions apply regardless of infection statuses, considering all individuals as potential carriers of pathogens.
- Include precautions against blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes.
Transmission-Based Precautions
- Additional precautions for patients with suspected or confirmed infections.
- Tailor measures to specific infectious agents and modes of transmission (contact, droplet, airborne).
- Important for preventing transmission of infection within a healthcare setting
Handwashing and Hand Hygiene
- Necessary for mitigating transmission and the spread of pathogens and infectious agents.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Gloves: Protect from blood and body fluids during interactions with clients.
- Gowns: Protect clothes and body from blood and bodily fluids.
- Masks: Protect from airborne and droplet transmission.
- Eye protection: Protect from splashes on the eyes.
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Description
This quiz assesses knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of personal support workers (PSWs) in healthcare settings. It emphasizes the importance of client-centered care, effective communication, and infection prevention measures. Test your understanding of the essential skills required for PSWs and their professional conduct.
