NACC PSW EXAM EVALUATION – 250 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS |NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CAREER
COLLEGES – 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
SECTION 1: PSW FOUNDATIONS & ROLE OF THE PSW (Questions 1–25)
1. What is the ultimate goal of a support worker?
A) To complete tasks as quickly as possible
B) To provide personal care only
C) To manage the healthcare team
D) To improve the client's quality of life
Rationale: The primary goal of a PSW is to enhance the client's overall quality
of life by providing compassionate, clientcentred care that addresses physical,
emotional, and social needs.
2. How does a support worker demonstrate clientcentred care?
A) By working independently of client preferences
B) By treating clients with kindness, empathy, and respect
C) By following the instructions of the nurse only
D) By focusing solely on physical needs
,Rationale: Clientcentred care involves treating each client as a unique
individual, respecting their preferences, dignity, and autonomy.
3. What is the difference between a patient, a resident, and a client?
A) A patient receives care in a hospital, a resident lives in a care facility, and a
client receives communitybased care
B) A client is someone in longterm care, while a patient and resident refer to
temporary care situations
C) A patient is someone receiving home care, a resident lives independently,
and a client is hospitalized
D) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Rationale: These terms distinguish care settings: patients are in hospitals,
residents in longterm care facilities, and clients receive communitybased or
home care.
4. Which of the following best describes a regulated worker?
A) A worker without formal training or certification
B) A worker supervised by a physician only
C) A worker hired directly by the client
D) A worker with a professional organization that sets educational and
licensing standards
Rationale: Regulated workers belong to professional colleges that establish
standards for education, practice, and ethical conduct.
5. Why is discretion important in support work?
,A) It helps manage difficult clients without supervision
B) It allows support workers to decide on medical procedures
C) It is important for performing tasks quickly and efficiently
D) It ensures responsible judgment, protecting client confidentiality
Rationale: Discretion protects client privacy and confidentiality, which are
fundamental to maintaining trust and ethical practice.
6. What is cultural competence in health care?
A) Learning a client's language
B) Understanding and respecting diverse cultural beliefs and practices
C) Only caring for clients from one's own culture
D) Ignoring cultural differences to provide equal care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing, respecting, and adapting
care to meet the cultural needs and preferences of clients.
7. What is the primary role of a Personal Support Worker (PSW)?
A) Prescribing medications
B) Performing surgeries
C) Providing basic care and assisting with daily living activities
D) Diagnosing illnesses
Rationale: PSWs focus on supporting clients with activities of daily living
(ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, not on medical diagnosis or
treatment.
, 8. Bathing, grooming, and elimination are examples of:
A) High Level Needs
B) Cognitive Function
C) Activities of Daily Living
D) Communication Skills
Rationale: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic selfcare tasks that
individuals perform daily, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and
eating.
9. A professional concerned with a client's ability to perform essential daily
living tasks is:
A) Medical Doctor
B) Physiotherapist
C) Occupational Therapist
D) Personal Support Worker
Rationale: Occupational therapists assess and help clients develop skills for
performing daily living activities and maintaining independence.
10. Decisions that are concerned with right and wrong are called:
A) Religious
B) Ethical
C) Legal
D) Amoral
QUESTIONS |NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CAREER
COLLEGES – 2026/2027 ACADEMIC YEAR
SECTION 1: PSW FOUNDATIONS & ROLE OF THE PSW (Questions 1–25)
1. What is the ultimate goal of a support worker?
A) To complete tasks as quickly as possible
B) To provide personal care only
C) To manage the healthcare team
D) To improve the client's quality of life
Rationale: The primary goal of a PSW is to enhance the client's overall quality
of life by providing compassionate, clientcentred care that addresses physical,
emotional, and social needs.
2. How does a support worker demonstrate clientcentred care?
A) By working independently of client preferences
B) By treating clients with kindness, empathy, and respect
C) By following the instructions of the nurse only
D) By focusing solely on physical needs
,Rationale: Clientcentred care involves treating each client as a unique
individual, respecting their preferences, dignity, and autonomy.
3. What is the difference between a patient, a resident, and a client?
A) A patient receives care in a hospital, a resident lives in a care facility, and a
client receives communitybased care
B) A client is someone in longterm care, while a patient and resident refer to
temporary care situations
C) A patient is someone receiving home care, a resident lives independently,
and a client is hospitalized
D) There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Rationale: These terms distinguish care settings: patients are in hospitals,
residents in longterm care facilities, and clients receive communitybased or
home care.
4. Which of the following best describes a regulated worker?
A) A worker without formal training or certification
B) A worker supervised by a physician only
C) A worker hired directly by the client
D) A worker with a professional organization that sets educational and
licensing standards
Rationale: Regulated workers belong to professional colleges that establish
standards for education, practice, and ethical conduct.
5. Why is discretion important in support work?
,A) It helps manage difficult clients without supervision
B) It allows support workers to decide on medical procedures
C) It is important for performing tasks quickly and efficiently
D) It ensures responsible judgment, protecting client confidentiality
Rationale: Discretion protects client privacy and confidentiality, which are
fundamental to maintaining trust and ethical practice.
6. What is cultural competence in health care?
A) Learning a client's language
B) Understanding and respecting diverse cultural beliefs and practices
C) Only caring for clients from one's own culture
D) Ignoring cultural differences to provide equal care
Rationale: Cultural competence involves recognizing, respecting, and adapting
care to meet the cultural needs and preferences of clients.
7. What is the primary role of a Personal Support Worker (PSW)?
A) Prescribing medications
B) Performing surgeries
C) Providing basic care and assisting with daily living activities
D) Diagnosing illnesses
Rationale: PSWs focus on supporting clients with activities of daily living
(ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, not on medical diagnosis or
treatment.
, 8. Bathing, grooming, and elimination are examples of:
A) High Level Needs
B) Cognitive Function
C) Activities of Daily Living
D) Communication Skills
Rationale: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are basic selfcare tasks that
individuals perform daily, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and
eating.
9. A professional concerned with a client's ability to perform essential daily
living tasks is:
A) Medical Doctor
B) Physiotherapist
C) Occupational Therapist
D) Personal Support Worker
Rationale: Occupational therapists assess and help clients develop skills for
performing daily living activities and maintaining independence.
10. Decisions that are concerned with right and wrong are called:
A) Religious
B) Ethical
C) Legal
D) Amoral
