Georgia PCA Competency Exam (2025) – Practice Test (100 Questions – Latest
Edition | Professor Verified | Already Graded A+)
Domain I: Roles and Responsibilities (Questions 1–12)
Which of the following tasks is within the scope of practice for a Georgia PCA?
A. Administering injectable medication
B. Inserting a urinary catheter
C. Measuring and recording intake and output
1. D. Changing a sterile dressing
C. Measuring and recording intake and output
Measuring intake and output is a basic care task delegated to PCAs.
Administering injections, inserting catheters, and performing sterile sterile
procedures are nursing tasks that require a higher level of licensure (LPN or
RN) and are outside the PCA scope.
A PCA observes a client becoming short of breath and exhibiting chest pain. What is
the PCA's first action?
A. Administer the client's prescribed nitroglycerin
B. Call 911 immediately
C. Report the observation to the supervising nurse immediately
2. D. Wait 15 minutes to see if the symptoms subside
C. Report the observation to the supervising nurse immediately
PCAs provide care under supervision and cannot diagnose or prescribe
treatment. Reporting changes in condition, such as chest pain or dyspnea, to
the nurse immediately is the correct protocol so the nurse can assess the
client.
Which of the following is an example of a task a PCA CANNOT perform?
A. Assisting a client with bathing
B. Performing complex wound care requiring sterile technique
C. Helping a client ambulate to the bathroom
3. D. Feeding a client who cannot feed themselves
B. Performing complex wound care requiring sterile technique
While PCAs may assist with basic hygiene around a wound, they cannot
perform sterile procedures or debridement. This requires specialized training
and is within the scope of nursing practice.
What is the primary purpose of the Georgia PCA Registry?
A. To schedule PCA work shifts
,B. To maintain a list of all certified PCAs and track abuse/neglect findings
C. To provide health insurance to PCAs
4. D. To handle payroll for facilities
B. To maintain a list of all certified PCAs and track abuse/neglect findings
The state registry is responsible for listing individuals who have met the
certification requirements and for recording findings of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation to protect vulnerable adults.
When documenting care provided, which principle must the PCA follow strictly?
A. Document care before it is performed to save time
B. Use abbreviations that only you understand
C. Document accurately and only the care that was actually performed
5. D. Correct errors by using white-out
C. Document accurately and only the care that was actually performed
Falsifying documentation is grounds for immediate termination and registry
action. Documentation must be truthful, accurate, and timely. If an error
occurs, draw a line through it, write "error," and initial it—never use white-out.
A client refuses to take a bath. What is the PCA's best response?
A. Tell the client they must bathe or they will get an infection
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the client's right to refuse
C. Force the client to bathe because it is on the assignment sheet
6. D. Wait until the client falls asleep to wash them
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the client's right to refuse
Clients have the legal right to refuse care. The PCA should not force the client
or argue but should document the refusal and report it to the nurse for further
assessment.
Which action violates professional boundaries?
A. Accepting a small gift of homemade cookies from a client after Christmas
B. Asking to borrow money from a client
C. Listening to a client talk about their past
7. D. Shaking hands with a client
B. Asking to borrow money from a client
Borrowing money from clients is a strict violation of professional boundaries
and ethics. While small homemade gifts might be permissible depending on
facility policy, financial transactions are never allowed.
When communicating a change in a client's condition to the nurse, which format is
commonly used?
A. ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
B. SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
, C. SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
8. D. FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
C. SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
SBAR is a standardized tool for communication that ensures concise, relevant
information is conveyed. It is the preferred method for reporting changes in
condition to the supervising nurse.
A PCA enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor. What should the PCA
do FIRST?
A. Help the client up immediately
B. Call for help and stay with the client
C. Move the client to the bed
9. D. Clean up the room
B. Call for help and stay with the client
Safety is the priority. The PCA should not move the client if an injury is
suspected (such as a head or neck injury). Calling for help and staying with
the client ensures they are not left alone and receive appropriate medical
assessment.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is a violation of client confidentiality?
A. Discussing a client's condition with the nurse caring for them
B. Sharing a client's diagnosis with a visitor who asks in the hallway
C. Documenting care in the client's chart
10.D. Reporting suspected abuse to the proper authorities
B. Sharing a client's diagnosis with a visitor who asks in the hallway
Protected Health Information (PHI) can only be shared with those involved in
the client's care or as authorized by the client. Discussing details in public
areas or with unauthorized individuals is a HIPAA violation.
The PCA notices a reddened area on the client's coccyx that does not blanch when
pressed. What should the PCA do?
A. Massage the area vigorously
B. Apply a heating pad
C. Report it to the nurse immediately
11.D. Ignore it, as red skin is normal
C. Report it to the nurse immediately
Non-blanchable redness is a sign of a Stage 1 pressure ulcer. It should never
be massaged (which can damage tissue) or heated. Reporting allows the
nurse to initiate a prevention plan.
What is the difference between a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and a Certified
Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Georgia?
Edition | Professor Verified | Already Graded A+)
Domain I: Roles and Responsibilities (Questions 1–12)
Which of the following tasks is within the scope of practice for a Georgia PCA?
A. Administering injectable medication
B. Inserting a urinary catheter
C. Measuring and recording intake and output
1. D. Changing a sterile dressing
C. Measuring and recording intake and output
Measuring intake and output is a basic care task delegated to PCAs.
Administering injections, inserting catheters, and performing sterile sterile
procedures are nursing tasks that require a higher level of licensure (LPN or
RN) and are outside the PCA scope.
A PCA observes a client becoming short of breath and exhibiting chest pain. What is
the PCA's first action?
A. Administer the client's prescribed nitroglycerin
B. Call 911 immediately
C. Report the observation to the supervising nurse immediately
2. D. Wait 15 minutes to see if the symptoms subside
C. Report the observation to the supervising nurse immediately
PCAs provide care under supervision and cannot diagnose or prescribe
treatment. Reporting changes in condition, such as chest pain or dyspnea, to
the nurse immediately is the correct protocol so the nurse can assess the
client.
Which of the following is an example of a task a PCA CANNOT perform?
A. Assisting a client with bathing
B. Performing complex wound care requiring sterile technique
C. Helping a client ambulate to the bathroom
3. D. Feeding a client who cannot feed themselves
B. Performing complex wound care requiring sterile technique
While PCAs may assist with basic hygiene around a wound, they cannot
perform sterile procedures or debridement. This requires specialized training
and is within the scope of nursing practice.
What is the primary purpose of the Georgia PCA Registry?
A. To schedule PCA work shifts
,B. To maintain a list of all certified PCAs and track abuse/neglect findings
C. To provide health insurance to PCAs
4. D. To handle payroll for facilities
B. To maintain a list of all certified PCAs and track abuse/neglect findings
The state registry is responsible for listing individuals who have met the
certification requirements and for recording findings of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation to protect vulnerable adults.
When documenting care provided, which principle must the PCA follow strictly?
A. Document care before it is performed to save time
B. Use abbreviations that only you understand
C. Document accurately and only the care that was actually performed
5. D. Correct errors by using white-out
C. Document accurately and only the care that was actually performed
Falsifying documentation is grounds for immediate termination and registry
action. Documentation must be truthful, accurate, and timely. If an error
occurs, draw a line through it, write "error," and initial it—never use white-out.
A client refuses to take a bath. What is the PCA's best response?
A. Tell the client they must bathe or they will get an infection
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the client's right to refuse
C. Force the client to bathe because it is on the assignment sheet
6. D. Wait until the client falls asleep to wash them
B. Report the refusal to the nurse and respect the client's right to refuse
Clients have the legal right to refuse care. The PCA should not force the client
or argue but should document the refusal and report it to the nurse for further
assessment.
Which action violates professional boundaries?
A. Accepting a small gift of homemade cookies from a client after Christmas
B. Asking to borrow money from a client
C. Listening to a client talk about their past
7. D. Shaking hands with a client
B. Asking to borrow money from a client
Borrowing money from clients is a strict violation of professional boundaries
and ethics. While small homemade gifts might be permissible depending on
facility policy, financial transactions are never allowed.
When communicating a change in a client's condition to the nurse, which format is
commonly used?
A. ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
B. SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan)
, C. SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
8. D. FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
C. SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
SBAR is a standardized tool for communication that ensures concise, relevant
information is conveyed. It is the preferred method for reporting changes in
condition to the supervising nurse.
A PCA enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor. What should the PCA
do FIRST?
A. Help the client up immediately
B. Call for help and stay with the client
C. Move the client to the bed
9. D. Clean up the room
B. Call for help and stay with the client
Safety is the priority. The PCA should not move the client if an injury is
suspected (such as a head or neck injury). Calling for help and staying with
the client ensures they are not left alone and receive appropriate medical
assessment.
Under HIPAA, which of the following is a violation of client confidentiality?
A. Discussing a client's condition with the nurse caring for them
B. Sharing a client's diagnosis with a visitor who asks in the hallway
C. Documenting care in the client's chart
10.D. Reporting suspected abuse to the proper authorities
B. Sharing a client's diagnosis with a visitor who asks in the hallway
Protected Health Information (PHI) can only be shared with those involved in
the client's care or as authorized by the client. Discussing details in public
areas or with unauthorized individuals is a HIPAA violation.
The PCA notices a reddened area on the client's coccyx that does not blanch when
pressed. What should the PCA do?
A. Massage the area vigorously
B. Apply a heating pad
C. Report it to the nurse immediately
11.D. Ignore it, as red skin is normal
C. Report it to the nurse immediately
Non-blanchable redness is a sign of a Stage 1 pressure ulcer. It should never
be massaged (which can damage tissue) or heated. Reporting allows the
nurse to initiate a prevention plan.
What is the difference between a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) and a Certified
Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Georgia?
