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NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW)
Certification Examination Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank 220 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
Updated for 2026 NACC Examination Blueprint
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSW PRACTICE & INDIVIDUALITY (Questions 1–
25)
1. A PSW is providing care to a client who expresses a desire to follow their
traditional dietary practices that conflict with the facility's standard meal plan.
What is the most appropriate action for the PSW to take?
A. Inform the client that they must follow the facility's meal plan
B. Ignore the request to avoid conflict with the dietary department
C. Advocate for the client's preferences and discuss the matter with the dietary
team
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D. Suggest the client eat only what is provided and supplement with family-
brought food
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Client-centered care requires respecting the client's cultural and
individual preferences. The PSW should advocate for the client and collaborate
with the healthcare team to accommodate their dietary needs while ensuring
safety and nutritional requirements are met.
2. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following represents
the most fundamental level of human needs that must be addressed first?
A. Love and belonging
B. Self-esteem and recognition
C. Physical needs including food, water, and shelter
D. Self-actualization and achieving one's potential
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy identifies physiological needs (food, water, shelter,
sleep) as the most basic and essential. These must be met before higher-level
needs such as love, esteem, or self-actualization can be addressed.
3. A PSW is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Which statement best describes the nature of a chronic illness?
A. An illness that resolves completely with proper treatment
B. An illness that is slow or gradual in onset for which there is no known cure
C. An illness that requires immediate hospitalization
D. An illness that only affects older adults
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A chronic illness is defined as one that is slow or gradual in onset and
, 4
for which there is no known cure. Chronic conditions require ongoing
management and adaptation rather than complete resolution.
4. A PSW observes another staff member making false statements about a
coworker to other team members. This action constitutes:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Defamation
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Defamation involves injuring a person's name and reputation by
making false statements to a third party. Making false statements about someone
to others constitutes defamation and is both unethical and potentially legally
actionable.
NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW)
Certification Examination Comprehensive Practice
Question Bank 220 Multiple-Choice Questions
with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales
Updated for 2026 NACC Examination Blueprint
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF PSW PRACTICE & INDIVIDUALITY (Questions 1–
25)
1. A PSW is providing care to a client who expresses a desire to follow their
traditional dietary practices that conflict with the facility's standard meal plan.
What is the most appropriate action for the PSW to take?
A. Inform the client that they must follow the facility's meal plan
B. Ignore the request to avoid conflict with the dietary department
C. Advocate for the client's preferences and discuss the matter with the dietary
team
,2
D. Suggest the client eat only what is provided and supplement with family-
brought food
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Client-centered care requires respecting the client's cultural and
individual preferences. The PSW should advocate for the client and collaborate
with the healthcare team to accommodate their dietary needs while ensuring
safety and nutritional requirements are met.
2. According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following represents
the most fundamental level of human needs that must be addressed first?
A. Love and belonging
B. Self-esteem and recognition
C. Physical needs including food, water, and shelter
D. Self-actualization and achieving one's potential
,3
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy identifies physiological needs (food, water, shelter,
sleep) as the most basic and essential. These must be met before higher-level
needs such as love, esteem, or self-actualization can be addressed.
3. A PSW is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Which statement best describes the nature of a chronic illness?
A. An illness that resolves completely with proper treatment
B. An illness that is slow or gradual in onset for which there is no known cure
C. An illness that requires immediate hospitalization
D. An illness that only affects older adults
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A chronic illness is defined as one that is slow or gradual in onset and
, 4
for which there is no known cure. Chronic conditions require ongoing
management and adaptation rather than complete resolution.
4. A PSW observes another staff member making false statements about a
coworker to other team members. This action constitutes:
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. Defamation
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Defamation involves injuring a person's name and reputation by
making false statements to a third party. Making false statements about someone
to others constitutes defamation and is both unethical and potentially legally
actionable.
