PSW Exam Review Questions and
Answers|2025 Update|100% Correct
Disorientation - ANSWER-Impaired ability to recall people time, or places as a result (or
any combination$ of physiological changes to the brain, a disease process, or
substance induced factors.
Disorientation cont. - ANSWER-Can occur suddenly or over a long period. Usually more
common in older people but can occur in young. Can be non reversible or reversible.
Nonreversible dementia - ANSWER-Disorientation that is permanent caused by
physical changes in the structure of the brain.
Delirium - ANSWER-Disorientation that occurs suddenly and usually without warning.
Can be caused by infection (ex: UTI). Usually caused by a treatable physical/mental
health illness. Should always be treated as an emergency.
Saddle Joint - ANSWER-Joints that allow for a wide range of motion between two
articulating saddle-shaped bones, such as the base of the thumb.
Capillaries - ANSWER-Smallest form of blood vessels, site of nutrient, gas, and waste
exchange between cells and the bloodstream.
Microorganisms/Microbes - ANSWER-Sometimes considered as a bug/germ, these
organisms live and grow everywhere — in and out of water, air, food, soil, plants,
animals, and inanimate objects like clothing, furniture, medical equipment, and personal
care items. Grow on people.
Nonpathogens - ANSWER-Microbes that don't cause infection or disease.
Pathogens - ANSWER-Microbes that are harmful and can cause infection or disease.
Bacteria - ANSWER-Single organisms that naturally occur on living, dead, or inanimate
objects. Can multiply rapidly or remain dormant (nonactive).
Viruses - ANSWER-Infectious particles that are smaller than bacteria and infect living
cells to grow and multiply. Ex: influenza, herpes, common cold, AIDS, etc.
Vaccine - ANSWER-A suspension containing a live or killed bacterium administered for
the purpose of inducing active immunity to a specific infectious disease.
,Ball and socket joints - ANSWER-joints that allow movement in all directions. They are
made up of the rounded part of one bone and the hollow end of another bone.
Cell - ANSWER-The basic functional unit of body structure and function.
Condyloid joint - ANSWER-A joint formed when the oval articular surface of one bone
fits into the oval depression of the second articulating bone, such as the wrist and the
knuckles at the base of the fingers.
Gliding Joint - ANSWER-A joint between two corresponding flat bones held in place by
ligaments that glide past one another in any direction along the plane of the joint —
up/down, left/right, and diagonally. Ex: wrist, ankle joints, and the vertebral column.
Hinge Joint - ANSWER-Joints that allow movement in one direction around a single
axis. Ex: elbow joint.
Pivot joints - ANSWER-joints that allow turning from side to side.
multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs) - ANSWER-microbes that can resist the effects
of antibiotics
Infection - ANSWER-invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism
Signs and symptoms of infection - ANSWER-fever, chills, pulse rate increased,
respiratory rate increased, pain, tenderness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, rash, sores on mucous membranes, redness and swelling of a body part,
new/increased cough, sore throat, or runny nose, discharge or drainage in infected
area, pain when urinating, behavioural changes in older persons.
communicable disease - ANSWER-Contagious disease
incubation period - ANSWER-interval between initial infection and first signs and
symptoms.
communicable phase - ANSWER-The period when a person is infectious and can
spread pathogens to others.
Pandemic - ANSWER-Disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects a
very high proportion of the population.
Factors that increase the risk for infection - ANSWER-Extremes of age, poor nutrition,
stress, lack of sleep, presence of a disease/illness which themselves or the treatments
weaken the immune system, certain medications, invasive procedures, invasive
, devices, open wounds, living in close contact with people who have communicable
diseases, having contact with multiple caregivers.
Ways to prevent infection - ANSWER-1.) hand washing
2.) PPE
3.) avoid contact
5.) covering mouth and nose
Ways a PSW can break the chain of infection - ANSWER-1. Get your immune system
strong
2. Bathe frequently
3. Wear a clean uniform daily
4. Hand hygiene between clients, after and before using gloves
5. Don gloves just prior to completing a care task and remove them immediately after.
6. Never take "shortcuts"
7. Avoid touching face, hair, or clothing after completing hand hygiene
8. Keep common surfaces clean
9. Keep all immunizations up to date
10. Avoid going to work if you have a fever
11. Never place linens on the floor
12. Use PPE when needed
Contact transmission - ANSWER-Transmission of an infectious agent through physical
contact. Either direct or indirect
Direct transmission - ANSWER-Touching an infected or colonized person.
Indirect transmission - ANSWER-Touching contaminated objects
Droplet transmission - ANSWER-Microbes are spread in the air by droplets. Ex:
coughing, sneezing, and talking.
Airborne transmission - ANSWER-Microbes transmitted across long distances by air
currents. Contained in dust particles or evaporated droplets in the air.
Vehicle transmission - ANSWER-Microbes transmitted by a contaminated source. Ex:
food, water, medication, invasive medical equipment, and body fluids
Vectorborne transmission - ANSWER-Insects or pests transmit microbes to humans
Asepsis - ANSWER-Reducing or eliminating potential pathogens.
Signs and symptoms of disorientation - ANSWER-1. Anxiety
2. Tremors
3. Hallucinations
4. Delusions
Answers|2025 Update|100% Correct
Disorientation - ANSWER-Impaired ability to recall people time, or places as a result (or
any combination$ of physiological changes to the brain, a disease process, or
substance induced factors.
Disorientation cont. - ANSWER-Can occur suddenly or over a long period. Usually more
common in older people but can occur in young. Can be non reversible or reversible.
Nonreversible dementia - ANSWER-Disorientation that is permanent caused by
physical changes in the structure of the brain.
Delirium - ANSWER-Disorientation that occurs suddenly and usually without warning.
Can be caused by infection (ex: UTI). Usually caused by a treatable physical/mental
health illness. Should always be treated as an emergency.
Saddle Joint - ANSWER-Joints that allow for a wide range of motion between two
articulating saddle-shaped bones, such as the base of the thumb.
Capillaries - ANSWER-Smallest form of blood vessels, site of nutrient, gas, and waste
exchange between cells and the bloodstream.
Microorganisms/Microbes - ANSWER-Sometimes considered as a bug/germ, these
organisms live and grow everywhere — in and out of water, air, food, soil, plants,
animals, and inanimate objects like clothing, furniture, medical equipment, and personal
care items. Grow on people.
Nonpathogens - ANSWER-Microbes that don't cause infection or disease.
Pathogens - ANSWER-Microbes that are harmful and can cause infection or disease.
Bacteria - ANSWER-Single organisms that naturally occur on living, dead, or inanimate
objects. Can multiply rapidly or remain dormant (nonactive).
Viruses - ANSWER-Infectious particles that are smaller than bacteria and infect living
cells to grow and multiply. Ex: influenza, herpes, common cold, AIDS, etc.
Vaccine - ANSWER-A suspension containing a live or killed bacterium administered for
the purpose of inducing active immunity to a specific infectious disease.
,Ball and socket joints - ANSWER-joints that allow movement in all directions. They are
made up of the rounded part of one bone and the hollow end of another bone.
Cell - ANSWER-The basic functional unit of body structure and function.
Condyloid joint - ANSWER-A joint formed when the oval articular surface of one bone
fits into the oval depression of the second articulating bone, such as the wrist and the
knuckles at the base of the fingers.
Gliding Joint - ANSWER-A joint between two corresponding flat bones held in place by
ligaments that glide past one another in any direction along the plane of the joint —
up/down, left/right, and diagonally. Ex: wrist, ankle joints, and the vertebral column.
Hinge Joint - ANSWER-Joints that allow movement in one direction around a single
axis. Ex: elbow joint.
Pivot joints - ANSWER-joints that allow turning from side to side.
multidrug-resistant organisms (MROs) - ANSWER-microbes that can resist the effects
of antibiotics
Infection - ANSWER-invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism
Signs and symptoms of infection - ANSWER-fever, chills, pulse rate increased,
respiratory rate increased, pain, tenderness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, rash, sores on mucous membranes, redness and swelling of a body part,
new/increased cough, sore throat, or runny nose, discharge or drainage in infected
area, pain when urinating, behavioural changes in older persons.
communicable disease - ANSWER-Contagious disease
incubation period - ANSWER-interval between initial infection and first signs and
symptoms.
communicable phase - ANSWER-The period when a person is infectious and can
spread pathogens to others.
Pandemic - ANSWER-Disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects a
very high proportion of the population.
Factors that increase the risk for infection - ANSWER-Extremes of age, poor nutrition,
stress, lack of sleep, presence of a disease/illness which themselves or the treatments
weaken the immune system, certain medications, invasive procedures, invasive
, devices, open wounds, living in close contact with people who have communicable
diseases, having contact with multiple caregivers.
Ways to prevent infection - ANSWER-1.) hand washing
2.) PPE
3.) avoid contact
5.) covering mouth and nose
Ways a PSW can break the chain of infection - ANSWER-1. Get your immune system
strong
2. Bathe frequently
3. Wear a clean uniform daily
4. Hand hygiene between clients, after and before using gloves
5. Don gloves just prior to completing a care task and remove them immediately after.
6. Never take "shortcuts"
7. Avoid touching face, hair, or clothing after completing hand hygiene
8. Keep common surfaces clean
9. Keep all immunizations up to date
10. Avoid going to work if you have a fever
11. Never place linens on the floor
12. Use PPE when needed
Contact transmission - ANSWER-Transmission of an infectious agent through physical
contact. Either direct or indirect
Direct transmission - ANSWER-Touching an infected or colonized person.
Indirect transmission - ANSWER-Touching contaminated objects
Droplet transmission - ANSWER-Microbes are spread in the air by droplets. Ex:
coughing, sneezing, and talking.
Airborne transmission - ANSWER-Microbes transmitted across long distances by air
currents. Contained in dust particles or evaporated droplets in the air.
Vehicle transmission - ANSWER-Microbes transmitted by a contaminated source. Ex:
food, water, medication, invasive medical equipment, and body fluids
Vectorborne transmission - ANSWER-Insects or pests transmit microbes to humans
Asepsis - ANSWER-Reducing or eliminating potential pathogens.
Signs and symptoms of disorientation - ANSWER-1. Anxiety
2. Tremors
3. Hallucinations
4. Delusions
