HHA Home Health Care Study Guide
Body language - answer Nonverbal communication
Elements of good communication - answer Make clear message
-Provide and seek confirmation
-be active participant
-be mindful of nonverbal messages
-importance of touch
eye contact
sender/receiver/message/confirmation
Who report to if change in condition of client - answer Nurse
Terms of endearment - answerWords/phrases used to address a person that speaker
feels affection ex.sweetie, honey, babe
Should we use terms of endearment? - answerNo. Some may find it demeaning,
insulting and belittling
If suspect abuse? - answerReport concerns to supervisor
What should you report? - answerAny changes or concerns
Changes in:
-mood
-mental awareness
-level of independence
-behavior
-vital signs
-urine/bowel movements
-skin color/condition
-appetite
-sleep habits
-comfort level
How use senses to gather information? - answerObjective observation
Ex.Blood pressure, pulse, skin is hot and dry
Legal document - answerFormal accounting of care that can be used as evidence
should legal problem or dispute arise
Ex. Medical records
Living will
Advance Directives
,Correction on legal document? - answerDraw a single line through, correct and initial
Follow employers policy
Information on label - answerServing size, calories, nutrients supplied, ingredients
Safest way to transfer bed to wheelchair? - answerTransfer belt and pivot transfer
Lifting heavy object - answerdecide which side of object to face for most balanced load,
stand close to object with feet apart, keep back straight, bend knees and grip, lift with
legs, arms, shoulders (not back/stomach), keep load close to your body and don't twist
while holding; when putting object down, keep back straight and lower object by
bending knees
How prepare client for meal? - answerassist to use bathroom and wash hands
-provide mouth care for better taste, clean dentures, ensure placement of dentures
-assist w/glasses, hearing aid
-create comfy, pleasurable environ, neat, clean, odor free, good lighting
-comfy, upright position w/head up and hips at 90 degree angle, feet flat on floor,
elbows or forearms on table for support
-assist w/clothing protector, dont call it a bib
Why wash hands? - answerMost important thing you can do to control spread of
microbes
OSHA
Occupational Safety And Health Administration - answerGovernment agency that
insures a safe work environment
What should you do in a fire? - answerR. A. C. E
rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish
What if trapped in a fire situation? - answerRemain calm and use good judgement, keep
doors closed,call 911,Open window signal help
How do some people act when they are ill - answerAngry, upset and hostile
feel like burden
fear,frustration,fatigue,depressed
Why important to give client opportunities to talk - answerCommunication is one of 5
principles of care
helps identify client needs
listening is key ability
ensures respect and reduce feelings of loneliness and sadness
What is dehydration? - answerNot enough fluids
, water loss greater than water intake
Symptoms dehydration? - answerconfusion
-poor skin turgor (skin does not return to normal shape when squeezed/pinched
-passing small amts of dark urine
-constipation
-drowsiness
-very dry skin or chapped lips
-elevated temperature
what is the universal sign for chocking - answerhold neck with hands-Clutching the
throat
gasping, coughing, gagging, and bluish lips or skin
what are the signs and symptoms of heart attack? - answerchest pain, discomfort,
pressure or squeezing lasting longer than 3-5 min not relieved by resting, changing
positions, taking nitroglycerin or goes away and comes back
-discomfort or pain that spreads to one or both arms, the back, shoulder, neck, jaw or
upper stomach
-dizzy, lightheaded, loss of consc.
-trouble breathing, noisy breathing, short of breath, faster than normal breathing
-faster or slower heartbeat than normal
-irregular heartbeat
-nausea
-pale, ashy, slightly bluish skin
-cold sweat
-feeling anxiety or doom
-extreme fatigue
what is a DNR order? - answerwhen a persons chooses to forego life-sustaining
treatments at end of life.
Do Not Resuscitate
what is health care proxy? - answerdurable power of attorney giving responsibility to
specific person.
Patient Bill of Rights - answerright to exercise ones rights
right to privacy and confidentiality
right to information
right to choose
right to notification of change
protection of personal funds
grievance rights
transfer and discharge rights
right to be free from restraints and abuse
Body language - answer Nonverbal communication
Elements of good communication - answer Make clear message
-Provide and seek confirmation
-be active participant
-be mindful of nonverbal messages
-importance of touch
eye contact
sender/receiver/message/confirmation
Who report to if change in condition of client - answer Nurse
Terms of endearment - answerWords/phrases used to address a person that speaker
feels affection ex.sweetie, honey, babe
Should we use terms of endearment? - answerNo. Some may find it demeaning,
insulting and belittling
If suspect abuse? - answerReport concerns to supervisor
What should you report? - answerAny changes or concerns
Changes in:
-mood
-mental awareness
-level of independence
-behavior
-vital signs
-urine/bowel movements
-skin color/condition
-appetite
-sleep habits
-comfort level
How use senses to gather information? - answerObjective observation
Ex.Blood pressure, pulse, skin is hot and dry
Legal document - answerFormal accounting of care that can be used as evidence
should legal problem or dispute arise
Ex. Medical records
Living will
Advance Directives
,Correction on legal document? - answerDraw a single line through, correct and initial
Follow employers policy
Information on label - answerServing size, calories, nutrients supplied, ingredients
Safest way to transfer bed to wheelchair? - answerTransfer belt and pivot transfer
Lifting heavy object - answerdecide which side of object to face for most balanced load,
stand close to object with feet apart, keep back straight, bend knees and grip, lift with
legs, arms, shoulders (not back/stomach), keep load close to your body and don't twist
while holding; when putting object down, keep back straight and lower object by
bending knees
How prepare client for meal? - answerassist to use bathroom and wash hands
-provide mouth care for better taste, clean dentures, ensure placement of dentures
-assist w/glasses, hearing aid
-create comfy, pleasurable environ, neat, clean, odor free, good lighting
-comfy, upright position w/head up and hips at 90 degree angle, feet flat on floor,
elbows or forearms on table for support
-assist w/clothing protector, dont call it a bib
Why wash hands? - answerMost important thing you can do to control spread of
microbes
OSHA
Occupational Safety And Health Administration - answerGovernment agency that
insures a safe work environment
What should you do in a fire? - answerR. A. C. E
rescue, alarm, contain, extinguish
What if trapped in a fire situation? - answerRemain calm and use good judgement, keep
doors closed,call 911,Open window signal help
How do some people act when they are ill - answerAngry, upset and hostile
feel like burden
fear,frustration,fatigue,depressed
Why important to give client opportunities to talk - answerCommunication is one of 5
principles of care
helps identify client needs
listening is key ability
ensures respect and reduce feelings of loneliness and sadness
What is dehydration? - answerNot enough fluids
, water loss greater than water intake
Symptoms dehydration? - answerconfusion
-poor skin turgor (skin does not return to normal shape when squeezed/pinched
-passing small amts of dark urine
-constipation
-drowsiness
-very dry skin or chapped lips
-elevated temperature
what is the universal sign for chocking - answerhold neck with hands-Clutching the
throat
gasping, coughing, gagging, and bluish lips or skin
what are the signs and symptoms of heart attack? - answerchest pain, discomfort,
pressure or squeezing lasting longer than 3-5 min not relieved by resting, changing
positions, taking nitroglycerin or goes away and comes back
-discomfort or pain that spreads to one or both arms, the back, shoulder, neck, jaw or
upper stomach
-dizzy, lightheaded, loss of consc.
-trouble breathing, noisy breathing, short of breath, faster than normal breathing
-faster or slower heartbeat than normal
-irregular heartbeat
-nausea
-pale, ashy, slightly bluish skin
-cold sweat
-feeling anxiety or doom
-extreme fatigue
what is a DNR order? - answerwhen a persons chooses to forego life-sustaining
treatments at end of life.
Do Not Resuscitate
what is health care proxy? - answerdurable power of attorney giving responsibility to
specific person.
Patient Bill of Rights - answerright to exercise ones rights
right to privacy and confidentiality
right to information
right to choose
right to notification of change
protection of personal funds
grievance rights
transfer and discharge rights
right to be free from restraints and abuse
