NACC Personal Support Worker PSW Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Professionalism, Ethics, & Communication
Q1: A client confides in you that they have hidden cash under their mattress and asks
you not to tell their family. Later, the family asks you directly if you know where the client
keeps their money. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Tell the family the exact location to be helpful
B. Maintain confidentiality and respond, "I can't discuss personal matters the client
shares with me in confidence."
C. Tell the family you know but won't say where
D. Ignore the family's question and walk away
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must maintain client confidentiality (B) as a fundamental ethical
principle. This builds trust and respects client autonomy. Option A violates
confidentiality and breaks trust. Option C is evasive and still hints at private information.
Option D is unprofessional and non-responsive. Confidentiality is a legal and ethical
duty, not optional.
Q2: You arrive at a client's home and notice bruises on their arms in various stages of
healing. The client says, "I just bumped into things." Their spouse is present and seems
overly attentive to your conversation. What should you do?
A. Accept the client's explanation and document nothing
B. Document your observations objectively and report to your supervisor/nurse
immediately as per agency policy for suspected abuse
,C. Confront the spouse directly about the bruises
D. Tell the client they should leave the relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs are mandatory reporters of suspected abuse (B). Objective
documentation and immediate reporting to a supervisor or nurse follows legal
obligations and agency policy. Option A fails the duty to protect vulnerable clients.
Option C is outside PSW scope and could escalate danger. Option D is beyond PSW
authority and could endanger the client. Reporting suspicions to appropriate authorities
is required, not optional.
Q3: A client with dementia refuses to take a shower, saying "Leave me alone!" They
appear agitated. What is the best initial response?
A. Force the client to shower for their own hygiene
B. Respect their choice, attempt to understand the reason, try again later, and inform
your supervisor of the refusal
C. Ignore the refusal and proceed with the shower quickly
D. Leave immediately and document that the client is "uncooperative"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must respect client autonomy and right to refuse care (B). Attempting
to understand the underlying cause (fear, discomfort, timing) and re-approaching later
respects dignity. Forcing (A) violates rights and can cause trauma. Ignoring (C) is
disrespectful and unsafe. Option D labels the client negatively without attempting
problem-solving. All refusals must be reported to the supervisor/nurse.
Q4: Your client asks you to perform a sterile dressing change on their wound. You have
not been trained in this procedure. What is your best response?
A. "I can try it; how hard can it be?"
B. "I haven't been trained in sterile dressing changes, so I can't perform that task, but I
will notify the nurse to arrange for appropriate care."
C. "I'm not allowed to do anything medical, so you'll have to wait for the nurse."
D. Perform the dressing change using clean technique instead
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must work within their scope of practice (B). Sterile procedures require
specific training. Acknowledging limitations while ensuring the client receives
appropriate care demonstrates professionalism. Attempting untrained procedures (A) is
unsafe and beyond scope. Option C is dismissive and doesn't facilitate care. Option D
substitutes an inappropriate technique, risking infection. Scope boundaries protect
clients and PSWs legally.
Q5: You overhear another PSW discussing a client's financial situation and family
problems in the elevator where others can hear. What should you do?
A. Join the conversation to show support
B. Politely remind the PSW that discussing client information in public violates
confidentiality and report if it continues
C. Ignore it since it's not your client
D. Share similar stories about your own clients to bond with colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality extends to all settings (B). PSWs must intervene
professionally when witnessing breaches and report persistent violations to a
supervisor. Public discussions violate privacy legislation (PHIPA in Ontario). Option A
compounds the breach. Option C ignores a professional responsibility. Option D creates
a culture of confidentiality violations. Privacy must be protected everywhere.
Q6: A client's family member offers you a $50 gift card as a thank-you for your excellent
care. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Accept it gratefully as you've earned it
B. Politely decline, explaining that accepting gifts is against agency policy to maintain
professional boundaries
C. Accept it but don't tell anyone
D. Ask for a larger gift since you work so hard
Correct Answer: B
Exam 2026/2027 | Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Professionalism, Ethics, & Communication
Q1: A client confides in you that they have hidden cash under their mattress and asks
you not to tell their family. Later, the family asks you directly if you know where the client
keeps their money. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Tell the family the exact location to be helpful
B. Maintain confidentiality and respond, "I can't discuss personal matters the client
shares with me in confidence."
C. Tell the family you know but won't say where
D. Ignore the family's question and walk away
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must maintain client confidentiality (B) as a fundamental ethical
principle. This builds trust and respects client autonomy. Option A violates
confidentiality and breaks trust. Option C is evasive and still hints at private information.
Option D is unprofessional and non-responsive. Confidentiality is a legal and ethical
duty, not optional.
Q2: You arrive at a client's home and notice bruises on their arms in various stages of
healing. The client says, "I just bumped into things." Their spouse is present and seems
overly attentive to your conversation. What should you do?
A. Accept the client's explanation and document nothing
B. Document your observations objectively and report to your supervisor/nurse
immediately as per agency policy for suspected abuse
,C. Confront the spouse directly about the bruises
D. Tell the client they should leave the relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs are mandatory reporters of suspected abuse (B). Objective
documentation and immediate reporting to a supervisor or nurse follows legal
obligations and agency policy. Option A fails the duty to protect vulnerable clients.
Option C is outside PSW scope and could escalate danger. Option D is beyond PSW
authority and could endanger the client. Reporting suspicions to appropriate authorities
is required, not optional.
Q3: A client with dementia refuses to take a shower, saying "Leave me alone!" They
appear agitated. What is the best initial response?
A. Force the client to shower for their own hygiene
B. Respect their choice, attempt to understand the reason, try again later, and inform
your supervisor of the refusal
C. Ignore the refusal and proceed with the shower quickly
D. Leave immediately and document that the client is "uncooperative"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must respect client autonomy and right to refuse care (B). Attempting
to understand the underlying cause (fear, discomfort, timing) and re-approaching later
respects dignity. Forcing (A) violates rights and can cause trauma. Ignoring (C) is
disrespectful and unsafe. Option D labels the client negatively without attempting
problem-solving. All refusals must be reported to the supervisor/nurse.
Q4: Your client asks you to perform a sterile dressing change on their wound. You have
not been trained in this procedure. What is your best response?
A. "I can try it; how hard can it be?"
B. "I haven't been trained in sterile dressing changes, so I can't perform that task, but I
will notify the nurse to arrange for appropriate care."
C. "I'm not allowed to do anything medical, so you'll have to wait for the nurse."
D. Perform the dressing change using clean technique instead
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PSWs must work within their scope of practice (B). Sterile procedures require
specific training. Acknowledging limitations while ensuring the client receives
appropriate care demonstrates professionalism. Attempting untrained procedures (A) is
unsafe and beyond scope. Option C is dismissive and doesn't facilitate care. Option D
substitutes an inappropriate technique, risking infection. Scope boundaries protect
clients and PSWs legally.
Q5: You overhear another PSW discussing a client's financial situation and family
problems in the elevator where others can hear. What should you do?
A. Join the conversation to show support
B. Politely remind the PSW that discussing client information in public violates
confidentiality and report if it continues
C. Ignore it since it's not your client
D. Share similar stories about your own clients to bond with colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality extends to all settings (B). PSWs must intervene
professionally when witnessing breaches and report persistent violations to a
supervisor. Public discussions violate privacy legislation (PHIPA in Ontario). Option A
compounds the breach. Option C ignores a professional responsibility. Option D creates
a culture of confidentiality violations. Privacy must be protected everywhere.
Q6: A client's family member offers you a $50 gift card as a thank-you for your excellent
care. What is the most appropriate response?
A. Accept it gratefully as you've earned it
B. Politely decline, explaining that accepting gifts is against agency policy to maintain
professional boundaries
C. Accept it but don't tell anyone
D. Ask for a larger gift since you work so hard
Correct Answer: B
