CPCA Personal Care Assistance & Daily Living Activities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assisting a client with oral hygiene who is unconscious or at risk for aspiration, the aide should:
- Avoid oral care entirely to prevent choking
- Position the client on their side and use only a small amount of fluid (Correct answer)
- Perform oral care in the supine (flat on back) position
- Use a standard toothbrush with a full glass of water
Correct answer: Position the client on their side and use only a small amount of fluid
Side-lying positioning uses gravity to prevent fluid from flowing into the airway, reducing aspiration risk during oral care.
Question 2: A client with limited mobility must be repositioned to prevent pressure injuries. How frequently should repositioning occur for a bed-bound client?
- Every 4 hours
- Every 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Every 6 hours
- Once per shift
Correct answer: Every 2 hours
The standard of care requires repositioning at least every 2 hours to relieve pressure on bony prominences and prevent pressure injuries.
Question 3: An aide notices a client's toenails are long and appear to be digging into adjacent toes. The aide should:
- Trim the toenails carefully with nail clippers
- File the toenails smooth with an emery board
- Report the observation to the supervisor for a qualified clinician to address (Correct answer)
- Apply bandages around the toes to prevent injury
Correct answer: Report the observation to the supervisor for a qualified clinician to address
Toenail trimming, especially for clients with diabetes or circulation problems, should be performed by a licensed clinician; the aide reports the concern.
Question 4: When assisting a client with hair care, the aide should avoid:
- Using the client's own preferred hair products
- Detangling from the ends upward toward the scalp
- Sharing combs or brushes between clients (Correct answer)
- Asking the client about their hair care preferences
Correct answer: Sharing combs or brushes between clients
Sharing combs or brushes between clients can spread lice, fungal infections, and other communicable conditions, violating infection control principles.
Question 5: A client on a fluid restriction of 1,000 mL/day asks for a second glass of water at lunch. The aide should:
- Provide the water since hydration is always beneficial
- Explain the fluid restriction and offer an allowed portion within the remaining daily limit (Correct answer)
- Refuse without explanation to avoid upsetting the client
- Report the request without taking any immediate action
Correct answer: Explain the fluid restriction and offer an allowed portion within the remaining daily limit
The aide must follow the prescribed fluid restriction, explain it to the client kindly, and offer the amount still allowed within the daily limit.
Question 6: During a bed bath, the aide should change the bath water when:
- The water becomes soapy after the first area is washed
- Only when the water cools down completely
- After washing each major area or when it becomes visibly dirty or cool (Correct answer)
- At the end of the bath only
Correct answer: After washing each major area or when it becomes visibly dirty or cool
Changing water after each major area maintains cleanliness, prevents cross-contamination, and keeps the bath comfortable for the client.
Question 7: A client who is ambulatory asks to take a shower independently. The aide's best action is to:
- Stay outside the bathroom door and check frequently, with supplies and call bell within reach (Correct answer)
- Remain inside the bathroom supervising at all times regardless of client preference
- Allow the client complete privacy with no check-ins
- Insist on a bed bath instead to ensure safety
Correct answer: Stay outside the bathroom door and check frequently, with supplies and call bell within reach
Balancing client independence and privacy with safety means staying nearby, leaving a call bell accessible, and checking periodically per care plan.
CPCA Personal Care Assistance & Daily Living Activities 3
When assisting a client with oral hygiene who is unconscious or at risk for aspiration, the aide should: