ALBERTA HEALTH CARE AIDE PROVINCIAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- HCA Role and Responsibility
*- Provision of Care*
*- Collaborative Care*
*- Communication*
*- Health Across the Life Span*
*- Safety*
*- Ethics and Professional Standards*
*- Regulatory and Legal Compliance*
Introduction
This assessment prepares candidates for the Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Exam, a closed-book
examination consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within two hours. The exam
evaluates entry-level competence across six competency domains specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide
Competency Profile (2018). Questions assess knowledge, skills, and judgment required for safe, ethical,
person-centred care in diverse settings including long-term care, home care, and acute care. The test includes
scenario-based items emphasizing real-world application, critical thinking, and decision-making aligned with
the Health Professions Act and CLHA Standards of Practice effective February 2026. Candidates must
demonstrate proficiency in communication, safety, collaborative care, and health promotion across the life
span.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A resident with dementia becomes agitated and aggressive during personal care. What is the FIRST action the
Health Care Aide should take?
A. Restrain the resident to complete care safely
B. Notify the nurse immediately before continuing
C. Stop the task, speak calmly, and use reassurance
D. Leave the room and return later without informing anyone
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Stopping the task and using calm, reassuring communication is the first intervention for
agitation in dementia. Restraints are last-resort measures. Notifying the nurse is important but not the
immediate first action. Leaving without communication compromises safety.
Question 2
Which of the following is the SINGLE MOST effective method to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Using a mask at all times
D. Disinfecting surfaces once daily
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective method to prevent
infection transmission. Gloves are not needed for all contact, masks are situation-specific, and surface
disinfection requires more frequent cleaning.
Question 3
A patient has a sudden change in level of consciousness. What is the FIRST action a Health Care Aide should
take?
A. Document the change in the care record
B. Call the family member to inform them
C. Notify the nurse immediately
D. Reposition the patient to side-lying
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden changes in consciousness may indicate a life-threatening medical emergency (e.g.,
stroke, hypoglycemia). The HCA must notify the nurse immediately for assessment. Documentation and
repositioning occur after notification.
Question 4
A resident refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is the BEST action for the Health Care Aide?
, A. Force the resident to take the medication quietly
B. Notify the nurse immediately
C. Leave the medication on the bedside table
D. Tell the resident it is for their own good
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Medication refusal must be reported to the nurse immediately to ensure resident safety and
proper documentation. HCAs cannot administer most medications and must never force medication, which
violates autonomy.
Question 5
Which of the following is an example of a psychosocial need?
A. Nutrition
B. Social interaction
C. Hygiene
D. Vital signs monitoring
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Psychosocial needs include emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Social interaction
directly addresses psychosocial needs. Nutrition, hygiene, and vital signs are physical/physiological needs.
Question 6
What is the PRIMARY purpose of reporting and documenting changes in a resident's condition?
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- HCA Role and Responsibility
*- Provision of Care*
*- Collaborative Care*
*- Communication*
*- Health Across the Life Span*
*- Safety*
*- Ethics and Professional Standards*
*- Regulatory and Legal Compliance*
Introduction
This assessment prepares candidates for the Alberta Health Care Aide Provincial Exam, a closed-book
examination consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within two hours. The exam
evaluates entry-level competence across six competency domains specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide
Competency Profile (2018). Questions assess knowledge, skills, and judgment required for safe, ethical,
person-centred care in diverse settings including long-term care, home care, and acute care. The test includes
scenario-based items emphasizing real-world application, critical thinking, and decision-making aligned with
the Health Professions Act and CLHA Standards of Practice effective February 2026. Candidates must
demonstrate proficiency in communication, safety, collaborative care, and health promotion across the life
span.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A resident with dementia becomes agitated and aggressive during personal care. What is the FIRST action the
Health Care Aide should take?
A. Restrain the resident to complete care safely
B. Notify the nurse immediately before continuing
C. Stop the task, speak calmly, and use reassurance
D. Leave the room and return later without informing anyone
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Stopping the task and using calm, reassuring communication is the first intervention for
agitation in dementia. Restraints are last-resort measures. Notifying the nurse is important but not the
immediate first action. Leaving without communication compromises safety.
Question 2
Which of the following is the SINGLE MOST effective method to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
A. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
B. Proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Using a mask at all times
D. Disinfecting surfaces once daily
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as the single most effective method to prevent
infection transmission. Gloves are not needed for all contact, masks are situation-specific, and surface
disinfection requires more frequent cleaning.
Question 3
A patient has a sudden change in level of consciousness. What is the FIRST action a Health Care Aide should
take?
A. Document the change in the care record
B. Call the family member to inform them
C. Notify the nurse immediately
D. Reposition the patient to side-lying
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden changes in consciousness may indicate a life-threatening medical emergency (e.g.,
stroke, hypoglycemia). The HCA must notify the nurse immediately for assessment. Documentation and
repositioning occur after notification.
Question 4
A resident refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is the BEST action for the Health Care Aide?
, A. Force the resident to take the medication quietly
B. Notify the nurse immediately
C. Leave the medication on the bedside table
D. Tell the resident it is for their own good
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Medication refusal must be reported to the nurse immediately to ensure resident safety and
proper documentation. HCAs cannot administer most medications and must never force medication, which
violates autonomy.
Question 5
Which of the following is an example of a psychosocial need?
A. Nutrition
B. Social interaction
C. Hygiene
D. Vital signs monitoring
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Psychosocial needs include emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Social interaction
directly addresses psychosocial needs. Nutrition, hygiene, and vital signs are physical/physiological needs.
Question 6
What is the PRIMARY purpose of reporting and documenting changes in a resident's condition?
