HCA STUDY GUIDE 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SCORED A+
✔✔Intersex (adj - ✔✔people whose anatomy and/or genetics show both male and
female characteristics
✔✔Mindfulness - ✔✔being aware of one's own thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a
moment-to-moment basis
✔✔Race - ✔✔a social division of people based on certain physical traits such as skin
color
✔✔Religion - ✔✔a system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or
group of gods
✔✔Rhetoric - ✔✔language with a persuasive effect that often lacks sincerity or
meaningful content
✔✔Sexual Orientation - ✔✔a person's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional
attraction to members of the same and/or other sex
✔✔Intersectionality - ✔✔the idea that cultures and identities overlap
✔✔Cultural Humility - ✔✔keep an open mind and be willing to listen and learn about
clients as individuals
✔✔Explicit vs. Implicit Bias - ✔✔Explicit bias exists when a person is aware of their
prejudice and attitudes towards certain groups
Implicit bias is unconscious. We are not aware that we have these biased feelings
✔✔Negative Effects of Implicit Bias - ✔✔an influence how you talk to, look at and do
things for a client
✔✔Bias in Long-Term Care Settings - ✔✔discrimination, bullying and other
mistreatment
✔✔How many respondents have experienced verbal or physical harassment from other
residents - ✔✔23% of respondents had experienced verbal or physical harassment from
other residents
✔✔How many respondents have experienced verbal or physical harassment from staff -
✔✔14% had experienced verbal or physical harassment from staff
,✔✔How many respondents have experienced staff refusing to refer to a transgender
resident by the correct name or pronoun - ✔✔9% had experienced staff refusing to refer
to a transgender resident by the correct name or pronoun
✔✔How many respondents have experienced staff refusing to provide basic services or
care - ✔✔6% had experienced staff refusing to provide basic services or care
✔✔L - Lesbian - ✔✔A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to
other women
✔✔G - Gay - ✔✔A man who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other
men. Also an umbrella term for people who are LGBTQ
✔✔B - Bisexual - ✔✔A person emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more
than one gender
✔✔T - Transgender - ✔✔An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different
from the sex assigned at birth. Transgender is a description of gender identity rather
than a sexual orientation. People who are transgender may be of any sexual orientation
✔✔Q - Queer - ✔✔A term people use to express fluid identities and orientations. Often
used interchangeably with "LGBTQ." "Queer" was previously used as a slur, and not
everyone is comfortable using it. "Q" may also stand for "Questioning." This describes
people who are exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity
✔✔Anatomy and Transgender - ✔✔People who are transgender have a different
gender identity than the one assigned at birth based on physical features. They may or
may not have had surgeries to change their physical bodies to match their gender
identities
✔✔Pronouns - ✔✔Pronouns that match their gender identity. You may politely ask
someone (preferably in private) what their pronouns are, but do not try and force
anyone to share
(Pronouns include: • He/him/his/himself • She/her/hers/herself •
They/them/theirs/themselves You may also hear other pronouns: • Ey/em/eir/eirs/emself
• Ze/hir/hir/hirs/hirself)
✔✔Active listening - ✔✔a way of listening where the listener gives the speaker their full
attention and observes not only their words but also nonverbal cues like body language
and tone
✔✔Body language - ✔✔nonverbal communication through conscious and unconscious
gestures and movements
,✔✔Brainstorming - ✔✔freely creating many ideas or solutions without criticism or
evaluation
✔✔Empathy - ✔✔the ability to understand and demonstrate sensitivity to the feelings of
another
✔✔Feedback - ✔✔our response or reaction to the messages we receive
✔✔Nonverbal Communication - ✔✔communication without words, including body
language, gestures, and facial expressions
✔✔Active Listening - ✔✔way of communicating that focuses on the message and
feelings of the other person
✔✔Seven Keys to Becoming an Effective Active Listener - ✔✔Silence is key
See things from the other person's point of view
Show the person you want to hear them
Give the person your full attention
Be patient and respectful
Watch your own emotions
Make sure you understood the message
✔✔Nonverbal Communication - ✔✔tone of voice, facial expression, posture, body
movement, and nonverbal vocalizations such as groans and sighs
✔✔Signs of Pain - ✔✔Vocal nonverbal complaints
Facial expression
Bracing
Restlessness
Rubbing
Changes in Behavior
✔✔Signs of Confusion - ✔✔Facial expressions
Emotional
Behavioral
Physical
Cognitive
Vocal
✔✔Managing Your Communication - ✔✔In addition to good listening skills, effective
communication also requires that you are mindful about how you express yourself
✔✔Effective Use of Body Language in Caregiving - ✔✔Body language communicates
your emotions and the inner meaning behind your words
, ✔✔Gesture - ✔✔Your gestures should be relaxed and not be distracting.
Use smooth, and open-palm gestures. • Avoid gestures that communicate tension or
disrespect (e.g., tapping your feet, drumming your nails, etc.).
✔✔Posture - ✔✔Hold yourself in a way that looks natural, approachable, and confident.
Stand at a comfortable distance from the other person (about an arm's length). The
amount of distance that is comfortable depends on the person. If in doubt, ask!
✔✔Facial expressions - ✔✔Use pleasant, calm, friendly facial expressions.
Match your facial expressions to your spoken words.
Smile (if appropriate).
✔✔Eye contact - ✔✔Good eye contact helps you connect to another person, show your
sincerity and openness, and keep another's attention
✔✔Effective Use of Your Spoken Words - ✔✔Make sure the words you use, and your
tone of voice are thoughtful and show respect for the other person
✔✔Tone of Voice - ✔✔Use a respectful and calm tone.
Do not speak to a client with tones you would use with a child.
Use the mid-range of your voice.
✔✔Pace of Speaking - ✔✔Speak at a speed which is comfortable for the other person.
A client may need you to speak slowly as they may need more time to process
information. When in doubt, ask. "Am I going too fast? I will be happy to slow down."
✔✔Volume - ✔✔The client should be able to hear you easily without straining.
Do not speak too loudly. This can seem being pushy or irritating.
✔✔Matching Your Body Language with What You Say - ✔✔People believe and trust
you when your words, body language, and tone of voice all communicate the same
thing
✔✔Feedback - ✔✔Look for feedback to make sure the listener understands your
message correctly
✔✔Making Sure Your Message Has Been Understood - ✔✔Pay attention to how your
message was received (feedback),
SCORED A+
✔✔Intersex (adj - ✔✔people whose anatomy and/or genetics show both male and
female characteristics
✔✔Mindfulness - ✔✔being aware of one's own thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a
moment-to-moment basis
✔✔Race - ✔✔a social division of people based on certain physical traits such as skin
color
✔✔Religion - ✔✔a system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or
group of gods
✔✔Rhetoric - ✔✔language with a persuasive effect that often lacks sincerity or
meaningful content
✔✔Sexual Orientation - ✔✔a person's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional
attraction to members of the same and/or other sex
✔✔Intersectionality - ✔✔the idea that cultures and identities overlap
✔✔Cultural Humility - ✔✔keep an open mind and be willing to listen and learn about
clients as individuals
✔✔Explicit vs. Implicit Bias - ✔✔Explicit bias exists when a person is aware of their
prejudice and attitudes towards certain groups
Implicit bias is unconscious. We are not aware that we have these biased feelings
✔✔Negative Effects of Implicit Bias - ✔✔an influence how you talk to, look at and do
things for a client
✔✔Bias in Long-Term Care Settings - ✔✔discrimination, bullying and other
mistreatment
✔✔How many respondents have experienced verbal or physical harassment from other
residents - ✔✔23% of respondents had experienced verbal or physical harassment from
other residents
✔✔How many respondents have experienced verbal or physical harassment from staff -
✔✔14% had experienced verbal or physical harassment from staff
,✔✔How many respondents have experienced staff refusing to refer to a transgender
resident by the correct name or pronoun - ✔✔9% had experienced staff refusing to refer
to a transgender resident by the correct name or pronoun
✔✔How many respondents have experienced staff refusing to provide basic services or
care - ✔✔6% had experienced staff refusing to provide basic services or care
✔✔L - Lesbian - ✔✔A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to
other women
✔✔G - Gay - ✔✔A man who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other
men. Also an umbrella term for people who are LGBTQ
✔✔B - Bisexual - ✔✔A person emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more
than one gender
✔✔T - Transgender - ✔✔An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different
from the sex assigned at birth. Transgender is a description of gender identity rather
than a sexual orientation. People who are transgender may be of any sexual orientation
✔✔Q - Queer - ✔✔A term people use to express fluid identities and orientations. Often
used interchangeably with "LGBTQ." "Queer" was previously used as a slur, and not
everyone is comfortable using it. "Q" may also stand for "Questioning." This describes
people who are exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity
✔✔Anatomy and Transgender - ✔✔People who are transgender have a different
gender identity than the one assigned at birth based on physical features. They may or
may not have had surgeries to change their physical bodies to match their gender
identities
✔✔Pronouns - ✔✔Pronouns that match their gender identity. You may politely ask
someone (preferably in private) what their pronouns are, but do not try and force
anyone to share
(Pronouns include: • He/him/his/himself • She/her/hers/herself •
They/them/theirs/themselves You may also hear other pronouns: • Ey/em/eir/eirs/emself
• Ze/hir/hir/hirs/hirself)
✔✔Active listening - ✔✔a way of listening where the listener gives the speaker their full
attention and observes not only their words but also nonverbal cues like body language
and tone
✔✔Body language - ✔✔nonverbal communication through conscious and unconscious
gestures and movements
,✔✔Brainstorming - ✔✔freely creating many ideas or solutions without criticism or
evaluation
✔✔Empathy - ✔✔the ability to understand and demonstrate sensitivity to the feelings of
another
✔✔Feedback - ✔✔our response or reaction to the messages we receive
✔✔Nonverbal Communication - ✔✔communication without words, including body
language, gestures, and facial expressions
✔✔Active Listening - ✔✔way of communicating that focuses on the message and
feelings of the other person
✔✔Seven Keys to Becoming an Effective Active Listener - ✔✔Silence is key
See things from the other person's point of view
Show the person you want to hear them
Give the person your full attention
Be patient and respectful
Watch your own emotions
Make sure you understood the message
✔✔Nonverbal Communication - ✔✔tone of voice, facial expression, posture, body
movement, and nonverbal vocalizations such as groans and sighs
✔✔Signs of Pain - ✔✔Vocal nonverbal complaints
Facial expression
Bracing
Restlessness
Rubbing
Changes in Behavior
✔✔Signs of Confusion - ✔✔Facial expressions
Emotional
Behavioral
Physical
Cognitive
Vocal
✔✔Managing Your Communication - ✔✔In addition to good listening skills, effective
communication also requires that you are mindful about how you express yourself
✔✔Effective Use of Body Language in Caregiving - ✔✔Body language communicates
your emotions and the inner meaning behind your words
, ✔✔Gesture - ✔✔Your gestures should be relaxed and not be distracting.
Use smooth, and open-palm gestures. • Avoid gestures that communicate tension or
disrespect (e.g., tapping your feet, drumming your nails, etc.).
✔✔Posture - ✔✔Hold yourself in a way that looks natural, approachable, and confident.
Stand at a comfortable distance from the other person (about an arm's length). The
amount of distance that is comfortable depends on the person. If in doubt, ask!
✔✔Facial expressions - ✔✔Use pleasant, calm, friendly facial expressions.
Match your facial expressions to your spoken words.
Smile (if appropriate).
✔✔Eye contact - ✔✔Good eye contact helps you connect to another person, show your
sincerity and openness, and keep another's attention
✔✔Effective Use of Your Spoken Words - ✔✔Make sure the words you use, and your
tone of voice are thoughtful and show respect for the other person
✔✔Tone of Voice - ✔✔Use a respectful and calm tone.
Do not speak to a client with tones you would use with a child.
Use the mid-range of your voice.
✔✔Pace of Speaking - ✔✔Speak at a speed which is comfortable for the other person.
A client may need you to speak slowly as they may need more time to process
information. When in doubt, ask. "Am I going too fast? I will be happy to slow down."
✔✔Volume - ✔✔The client should be able to hear you easily without straining.
Do not speak too loudly. This can seem being pushy or irritating.
✔✔Matching Your Body Language with What You Say - ✔✔People believe and trust
you when your words, body language, and tone of voice all communicate the same
thing
✔✔Feedback - ✔✔Look for feedback to make sure the listener understands your
message correctly
✔✔Making Sure Your Message Has Been Understood - ✔✔Pay attention to how your
message was received (feedback),
