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PCA (PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT) COMPETENCY TEST –
GEORGIA EXAM 2026 COMPLETE (105) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PCA
Prepare with confidence using this PCA (Personal Care Assistant) Competency Test –
Georgia Exam, designed to assess essential caregiving skills. It focuses on patient
hygiene, safety, mobility assistance, infection control, and basic healthcare support.
The exam strengthens practical knowledge and readiness for caregiving roles.
Suitable for PCA trainees and certification candidates in Georgia.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Subsection 1: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene (Questions 1–10)
1. When should a PCA perform hand hygiene (hand washing or
alcohol-based hand rub)?
A. Only when hands are visibly dirty
B. Before and after client contact, before and after glove use, after contact
with body fluids, after touching surfaces in the client’s room, before eating,
after using the restroom
C. Only after using the toilet
D. Once at the beginning of the shift only
Answer: B. Before and after client contact, before and after glove use,
after contact with body fluids, after touching surfaces in the client’s
room, before eating, after using the restroom
Explanation: Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread
of infection. The Georgia PCA competency guidelines follow standard
precautions (CDC).
2. The recommended length of time for thorough hand washing with soap
and water is:
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 seconds (with friction, covering all surfaces)
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C. 2 minutes
D. 10 seconds
Answer: B. 20 seconds (with friction, covering all surfaces)
Explanation: Effective hand washing requires 20 seconds of scrubbing with
soap and water, including between fingers and under nails.
3. Which type of gloves should a PCA wear when assisting with oral care
or handling body fluids?
A. Sterile gloves only
B. Clean, non-sterile disposable gloves (examination gloves)
C. Rubber kitchen gloves
D. No gloves needed
Answer: B. Clean, non-sterile disposable gloves (examination gloves)
Explanation: Standard precautions require gloves for potential contact with
blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Gloves are
changed between clients and tasks.
4. After giving a bed bath, the PCA removes gloves. What must be done
immediately after glove removal?
A. Put on new gloves
B. Wash or sanitize hands (gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene)
C. Document the bath
D. Apply lotion
Answer: B. Wash or sanitize hands (gloves are not a substitute for hand
hygiene)
Explanation: Hands must be cleaned after glove removal because gloves can
have microscopic tears and hands may become contaminated during
removal.
5. A PCA should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including
gloves, gown, and mask when:
A. Answering the telephone
B. Providing care that may cause splashing of blood or body fluids (e.g.,
wound care, bathing with active bleeding)
C. Feeding the client
D. Walking the client to the bathroom
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Answer: B. Providing care that may cause splashing of blood or body
fluids (e.g., wound care, bathing with active bleeding)
Explanation: Follow agency policy and standard precautions. Eye protection
may also be needed.
6. An alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is appropriate when:
A. Hands are visibly dirty (wash with soap and water instead)
B. Hands are not visibly soiled and hand washing is not immediately
necessary
C. Before handling food when hands are clean
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Explanation: Soap and water are required for C. difficile, norovirus, and visibly
soiled hands. Hand sanitizer is otherwise effective and convenient.
7. What is the most common way infections spread in a home care
setting?
A. Contaminated food
B. Hand contact (direct contact from PCA to client, or via contaminated
surfaces)
C. Airborne transmission only
D. Infected water
Answer: B. Hand contact (direct contact from PCA to client, or via
contaminated surfaces)
Explanation: Proper hand hygiene and cleaning of shared surfaces reduces
cross-contamination.
8. How should a PCA dispose of a used disposable brief (adult diaper)
containing solid waste?
A. In a regular household trash can without bagging
B. In a plastic bag tied securely and placed in a covered trash container (do
not flush)
C. Flush down the toilet
D. Leave in the client’s room for family to dispose
Answer: B. In a plastic bag tied securely and placed in a covered trash
container (do not flush)
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Explanation: Solid waste does not require special medical waste disposal
unless contaminated with blood. Bagging reduces odor and contamination.
9. When helping a client with a urinary tract infection (UTI), the PCA
should:
A. Avoid washing hands after assisting with toileting
B. Perform strict hand hygiene and follow standard precautions (UTIs are not
airborne; good hygiene prevents spread of bacteria from perineal area)
C. Wear a mask at all times
D. Wear a gown only
Answer: B. Perform strict hand hygiene and follow standard precautions
(UTIs are not airborne; good hygiene prevents spread of bacteria from
perineal area)
Explanation: UTIs can be caused by E. coli and other bacteria. Proper
perineal care and hand hygiene reduce transmission.
10. The PCA notices that a client has a new, red, swollen area around a
wound. What should the PCA do?
A. Ignore it
B. Apply a warm compress
C. Report the finding to the supervising nurse or case manager (possible
infection)
D. Stop caring for the wound
Answer: C. Report the finding to the supervising nurse or case manager
(possible infection)
Explanation: Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, fever)
require medical evaluation. PCA does not diagnose but reports changes.
Subsection 2: Personal Care – Bathing, Grooming, Dressing (Questions
11–20)
11. How should a PCA position a client who is weak on one side to safely
bathe in bed?
A. Place the client flat on their back
B. Position the client on their weak side first, wash the strong side first, then
turn to wash the weak side
PCA (PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANT) COMPETENCY TEST –
GEORGIA EXAM 2026 COMPLETE (105) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PCA
Prepare with confidence using this PCA (Personal Care Assistant) Competency Test –
Georgia Exam, designed to assess essential caregiving skills. It focuses on patient
hygiene, safety, mobility assistance, infection control, and basic healthcare support.
The exam strengthens practical knowledge and readiness for caregiving roles.
Suitable for PCA trainees and certification candidates in Georgia.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Subsection 1: Infection Control & Hand Hygiene (Questions 1–10)
1. When should a PCA perform hand hygiene (hand washing or
alcohol-based hand rub)?
A. Only when hands are visibly dirty
B. Before and after client contact, before and after glove use, after contact
with body fluids, after touching surfaces in the client’s room, before eating,
after using the restroom
C. Only after using the toilet
D. Once at the beginning of the shift only
Answer: B. Before and after client contact, before and after glove use,
after contact with body fluids, after touching surfaces in the client’s
room, before eating, after using the restroom
Explanation: Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread
of infection. The Georgia PCA competency guidelines follow standard
precautions (CDC).
2. The recommended length of time for thorough hand washing with soap
and water is:
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 seconds (with friction, covering all surfaces)
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C. 2 minutes
D. 10 seconds
Answer: B. 20 seconds (with friction, covering all surfaces)
Explanation: Effective hand washing requires 20 seconds of scrubbing with
soap and water, including between fingers and under nails.
3. Which type of gloves should a PCA wear when assisting with oral care
or handling body fluids?
A. Sterile gloves only
B. Clean, non-sterile disposable gloves (examination gloves)
C. Rubber kitchen gloves
D. No gloves needed
Answer: B. Clean, non-sterile disposable gloves (examination gloves)
Explanation: Standard precautions require gloves for potential contact with
blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Gloves are
changed between clients and tasks.
4. After giving a bed bath, the PCA removes gloves. What must be done
immediately after glove removal?
A. Put on new gloves
B. Wash or sanitize hands (gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene)
C. Document the bath
D. Apply lotion
Answer: B. Wash or sanitize hands (gloves are not a substitute for hand
hygiene)
Explanation: Hands must be cleaned after glove removal because gloves can
have microscopic tears and hands may become contaminated during
removal.
5. A PCA should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including
gloves, gown, and mask when:
A. Answering the telephone
B. Providing care that may cause splashing of blood or body fluids (e.g.,
wound care, bathing with active bleeding)
C. Feeding the client
D. Walking the client to the bathroom
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Answer: B. Providing care that may cause splashing of blood or body
fluids (e.g., wound care, bathing with active bleeding)
Explanation: Follow agency policy and standard precautions. Eye protection
may also be needed.
6. An alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is appropriate when:
A. Hands are visibly dirty (wash with soap and water instead)
B. Hands are not visibly soiled and hand washing is not immediately
necessary
C. Before handling food when hands are clean
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Explanation: Soap and water are required for C. difficile, norovirus, and visibly
soiled hands. Hand sanitizer is otherwise effective and convenient.
7. What is the most common way infections spread in a home care
setting?
A. Contaminated food
B. Hand contact (direct contact from PCA to client, or via contaminated
surfaces)
C. Airborne transmission only
D. Infected water
Answer: B. Hand contact (direct contact from PCA to client, or via
contaminated surfaces)
Explanation: Proper hand hygiene and cleaning of shared surfaces reduces
cross-contamination.
8. How should a PCA dispose of a used disposable brief (adult diaper)
containing solid waste?
A. In a regular household trash can without bagging
B. In a plastic bag tied securely and placed in a covered trash container (do
not flush)
C. Flush down the toilet
D. Leave in the client’s room for family to dispose
Answer: B. In a plastic bag tied securely and placed in a covered trash
container (do not flush)
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Explanation: Solid waste does not require special medical waste disposal
unless contaminated with blood. Bagging reduces odor and contamination.
9. When helping a client with a urinary tract infection (UTI), the PCA
should:
A. Avoid washing hands after assisting with toileting
B. Perform strict hand hygiene and follow standard precautions (UTIs are not
airborne; good hygiene prevents spread of bacteria from perineal area)
C. Wear a mask at all times
D. Wear a gown only
Answer: B. Perform strict hand hygiene and follow standard precautions
(UTIs are not airborne; good hygiene prevents spread of bacteria from
perineal area)
Explanation: UTIs can be caused by E. coli and other bacteria. Proper
perineal care and hand hygiene reduce transmission.
10. The PCA notices that a client has a new, red, swollen area around a
wound. What should the PCA do?
A. Ignore it
B. Apply a warm compress
C. Report the finding to the supervising nurse or case manager (possible
infection)
D. Stop caring for the wound
Answer: C. Report the finding to the supervising nurse or case manager
(possible infection)
Explanation: Signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, fever)
require medical evaluation. PCA does not diagnose but reports changes.
Subsection 2: Personal Care – Bathing, Grooming, Dressing (Questions
11–20)
11. How should a PCA position a client who is weak on one side to safely
bathe in bed?
A. Place the client flat on their back
B. Position the client on their weak side first, wash the strong side first, then
turn to wash the weak side
