PAT I E N T C A R E A S S I S TA N T · C N A C E RT I F I C AT I O N E X A M I N AT I O N
PCA Exam 1
Complete Practice Question Bank
Healthcare Systems · Delegation · Ethics · Anatomy · Communication
C OM P RE H E N S I V E C OV E RAGE :
Medicare · Scope of Practice · Patient Rights · Safety
— Body Systems · Medical Records · Professional Conduct
Edition 1 · July 2026 · Complete PCA Exam 1 Preparation
★★★★★
Prepare · Pr actice · Pass
Excellence in Patient Care Education
,PCA EXAM 1 Q1-22 HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS & SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Questions 1–22: Healthcare Systems, Roles & Delegation
1 Medicare is best described as:
A A federal health insurance program for persons 65 years of age and older
B A program purchased by individuals and families from an insurance company
C Coverage that helps pay medical costs for low-income families
D Insurance that may be provided by an employer
CORRECT ANSWER
D — Federal program for persons 65 and older
RATIONALE
Medicare is a federally administered health insurance program primarily serving Americans aged 65 and
older, regardless of income. It also covers certain younger individuals with disabilities and those with end-
stage renal disease. Medicaid (option C) is the program for low-income individuals and families. Private
insurance (options A and D) is obtained through employers or purchased individually.
2 Hospice care focuses on:
A Palliative, comfort care that does not treat or cure the disease
B Short-term care until a patient recovers
C Care provided only in the home setting
D Care that addresses only physical needs
CORRECT ANSWER
C — Palliative comfort care; does not treat or cure
RATIONALE
Hospice provides comprehensive end-of-life care focused on comfort and quality of life rather than curative
treatment. It addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Hospice care can be provided in the
home, hospice facilities, hospitals, or long-term care settings — not exclusively in the home.
,3 Health promotion includes:
A Learning about healthy living
B Immunizations against infectious disease
C Respiratory, physical, and occupational therapies
D Learning skills needed to live, work, and enjoy life
CORRECT ANSWER
D — Learning about healthy living
RATIONALE
Health promotion empowers individuals to take control of their health through education about nutrition,
exercise, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices. Immunizations (option A) are disease prevention.
Therapies (option B) are restorative care. Living skills (option C) relate to rehabilitation.
4 Patients in long-term care centers such as ALFs or SNFs:
A May be older with chronic diseases, poor nutrition, or poor health
B Need hospital-level acute care
C Are always acutely ill
D Are never able to return home
CORRECT ANSWER
C — May be older with chronic diseases
RATIONALE
Long-term care residents typically have chronic conditions requiring ongoing assistance with activities of
daily living. However, many residents do return home after rehabilitation. They are not acutely ill (requiring
hospital care), and discharge to home is always a possibility with adequate support.
, 5 The goal of rehabilitation and restorative care is:
A Returning patients to their highest possible level of physical and psychological functioning
B Teaching the patient about healthy living
C Returning the patient completely to normal functioning
D Treating the illness with diet, exercise, and medications
CORRECT ANSWER
B — Highest possible level of functioning
RATIONALE
Rehabilitation aims to maximize independence and quality of life, recognizing that complete return to pre-
illness function may not be possible. The focus is on what the patient CAN achieve rather than on
limitations. Restoration of dignity and self-care ability are central goals.
6 Diagnostic tests, physical exams, surgery, emergency care, and medications are used in:
A Detection and treatment of disease
B Health promotion
C Rehabilitation and restorative care
D Disease prevention
CORRECT ANSWER
B — Detection and treatment of disease
RATIONALE
The detection and treatment phase involves active medical intervention: diagnostic procedures identify the
problem, and treatments (surgery, medications, emergency care) address it. Health promotion and disease
prevention occur before illness develops. Rehabilitation occurs after acute treatment.
PCA Exam 1
Complete Practice Question Bank
Healthcare Systems · Delegation · Ethics · Anatomy · Communication
C OM P RE H E N S I V E C OV E RAGE :
Medicare · Scope of Practice · Patient Rights · Safety
— Body Systems · Medical Records · Professional Conduct
Edition 1 · July 2026 · Complete PCA Exam 1 Preparation
★★★★★
Prepare · Pr actice · Pass
Excellence in Patient Care Education
,PCA EXAM 1 Q1-22 HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS & SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Questions 1–22: Healthcare Systems, Roles & Delegation
1 Medicare is best described as:
A A federal health insurance program for persons 65 years of age and older
B A program purchased by individuals and families from an insurance company
C Coverage that helps pay medical costs for low-income families
D Insurance that may be provided by an employer
CORRECT ANSWER
D — Federal program for persons 65 and older
RATIONALE
Medicare is a federally administered health insurance program primarily serving Americans aged 65 and
older, regardless of income. It also covers certain younger individuals with disabilities and those with end-
stage renal disease. Medicaid (option C) is the program for low-income individuals and families. Private
insurance (options A and D) is obtained through employers or purchased individually.
2 Hospice care focuses on:
A Palliative, comfort care that does not treat or cure the disease
B Short-term care until a patient recovers
C Care provided only in the home setting
D Care that addresses only physical needs
CORRECT ANSWER
C — Palliative comfort care; does not treat or cure
RATIONALE
Hospice provides comprehensive end-of-life care focused on comfort and quality of life rather than curative
treatment. It addresses physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Hospice care can be provided in the
home, hospice facilities, hospitals, or long-term care settings — not exclusively in the home.
,3 Health promotion includes:
A Learning about healthy living
B Immunizations against infectious disease
C Respiratory, physical, and occupational therapies
D Learning skills needed to live, work, and enjoy life
CORRECT ANSWER
D — Learning about healthy living
RATIONALE
Health promotion empowers individuals to take control of their health through education about nutrition,
exercise, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices. Immunizations (option A) are disease prevention.
Therapies (option B) are restorative care. Living skills (option C) relate to rehabilitation.
4 Patients in long-term care centers such as ALFs or SNFs:
A May be older with chronic diseases, poor nutrition, or poor health
B Need hospital-level acute care
C Are always acutely ill
D Are never able to return home
CORRECT ANSWER
C — May be older with chronic diseases
RATIONALE
Long-term care residents typically have chronic conditions requiring ongoing assistance with activities of
daily living. However, many residents do return home after rehabilitation. They are not acutely ill (requiring
hospital care), and discharge to home is always a possibility with adequate support.
, 5 The goal of rehabilitation and restorative care is:
A Returning patients to their highest possible level of physical and psychological functioning
B Teaching the patient about healthy living
C Returning the patient completely to normal functioning
D Treating the illness with diet, exercise, and medications
CORRECT ANSWER
B — Highest possible level of functioning
RATIONALE
Rehabilitation aims to maximize independence and quality of life, recognizing that complete return to pre-
illness function may not be possible. The focus is on what the patient CAN achieve rather than on
limitations. Restoration of dignity and self-care ability are central goals.
6 Diagnostic tests, physical exams, surgery, emergency care, and medications are used in:
A Detection and treatment of disease
B Health promotion
C Rehabilitation and restorative care
D Disease prevention
CORRECT ANSWER
B — Detection and treatment of disease
RATIONALE
The detection and treatment phase involves active medical intervention: diagnostic procedures identify the
problem, and treatments (surgery, medications, emergency care) address it. Health promotion and disease
prevention occur before illness develops. Rehabilitation occurs after acute treatment.
