Health and Safety Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real PCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Health and Safety Procedures flashcards as text
When a client has been diagnosed with MRSA, which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for direct care?
Answer: Gloves and gown for contact with the client or their environment
MRSA is primarily spread by contact, so contact precautions requiring gloves and gown are standard; an N95 is not needed unless performing aerosol-generating procedures.
A client complains of sudden, severe chest pain radiating to the left arm. The PCA should FIRST:
Answer: Call 911 immediately and keep the client calm and still
These are classic signs of a cardiac event; calling 911 immediately is the priority to ensure rapid intervention.
Which action helps prevent cross-contamination when cleaning a client's bathroom?
Answer: Using separate cloths or disposable wipes for the toilet and other surfaces
Separate cloths for toilet and non-toilet surfaces prevent fecal bacteria from being transferred to hand-contact surfaces like faucets and counters.
A client's urinary catheter drainage bag should always be positioned:
Answer: Below the level of the bladder and off the floor
Keeping the drainage bag below bladder level uses gravity to drain urine and prevents urine from flowing back into the bladder, reducing infection risk.
The best way for a PCA to respond to a client who has an aggressive outburst is to:
Answer: Speak in a calm, low voice, give space, and remove potential hazards
A calm presence, non-threatening body language, and a safe environment are the safest and most effective de-escalation techniques.
How should a PCA dispose of a used razor blade after shaving a client?
Answer: Place it directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container
Sharp items must be placed directly into an approved sharps container to prevent needle-stick and cut injuries to the PCA, client, or housekeeping staff.
A client living alone has a home that is cluttered with newspapers stacked on walkways. The PCA's responsibility is to:
Answer: Note the hazard in the care record and report it to the supervisor for a home safety assessment
Reporting environmental hazards to the supervisor ensures a proper safety assessment and plan is developed while respecting the client's autonomy.