NACC PSW EXAM, PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
The PSW Role: Scope of Practice, Ethics, and the Healthcare Team
Safety, Body Mechanics, and Emergency Procedures
Infection Prevention, Hygiene, and Personal Care
Nutrition, Hydration, and Feeding Assistance
Mobility, Positioning, and Restorative Care
Communication, Documentation, and Client Rights
Mental Health, Dementia, and Palliative Care
Household Management and Family Support
Introduction
The NACC PSW Examination assesses the competency of personal support workers to provide
safe, ethical, and client-centered care in community and facility settings. It evaluates knowledge
across the PSW role, safety, hygiene, nutrition, mobility, communication, mental health, and
household management. The assessment employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
to test clinical judgment, infection control, and professional boundaries. Emphasis is placed on
real-world application, client dignity, and adherence to the NACC standards. This exam ensures
candidates are prepared to deliver compassionate and competent support.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A PSW is assigned to help a client with a bed bath. The client refuses. What should the PSW
do?
A. Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the supervisor.
B. Proceed with the bath because cleanliness is essential.
C. Ask the family to convince the client.
D. Skip the bath and do not document it.
🟢 A. Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the supervisor.
,🔴 RATIONALE: Client autonomy is a fundamental right. A refusal must be respected,
documented, and reported to the supervisor so the care plan can be reviewed.
2. Which of the following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment
(PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eyewear.
B. Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves.
C. Mask, gloves, gown, eyewear.
D. Eyewear, gloves, mask, gown.
🟢 B. Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves.
🔴 RATIONALE: PPE must be donned in a specific sequence to prevent contamination: gown
first, then mask, eyewear, and gloves last.
3. A client with dementia becomes agitated during morning care. What is the PSW's best
response?
A. Tell the client to calm down.
B. Stop the care, reassure the client, and try again later.
C. Restrain the client to finish the care.
D. Ignore the agitation and continue.
🟢 B. Stop the care, reassure the client, and try again later.
🔴 RATIONALE: When a client with dementia becomes agitated, the PSW should stop the task,
provide reassurance, and attempt care at a later time to reduce distress.
4. When transferring a client from bed to wheelchair, the PSW should:
A. Keep the bed at its highest position.
B. Lock the wheelchair brakes and position it close to the bed.
C. Pull the client by the arms.
D. Twist the torso while lifting.
🟢 B. Lock the wheelchair brakes and position it close to the bed.
🔴 RATIONALE: Locking the wheelchair brakes and positioning it close to the bed is essential
for a safe transfer and prevents falls or injury.
,5. Which of the following is a sign of dehydration in an older adult?
A. Increased urine output.
B. Dry mouth and poor skin turgor.
C. Weight gain.
D. Moist mucous membranes.
🟢 B. Dry mouth and poor skin turgor.
🔴 RATIONALE: Dry mouth, poor skin turgor, and concentrated urine are classic signs of
dehydration, which is common in older adults.
6. A PSW notices a reddened area on a client's heel. What should the PSW do first?
A. Massage the area vigorously.
B. Report it to the supervisor and avoid pressure on the area.
C. Apply a heating pad.
D. Ignore it because it is a normal sign of aging.
🟢 B. Report it to the supervisor and avoid pressure on the area.
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness over a bony prominence may indicate the beginning of a pressure
ulcer. The PSW should report it and offload pressure to prevent deterioration.
7. Which of the following is considered a normal change of aging?
A. Decreased hearing acuity.
B. Sudden confusion.
C. Rapid weight gain.
D. New onset of incontinence.
🟢 A. Decreased hearing acuity.
🔴 RATIONALE: Gradual hearing loss is a normal age-related change. Sudden confusion, rapid
weight gain, and new incontinence require medical evaluation.
8. A PSW is feeding a client who has dysphagia. The PSW should:
A. Feed quickly to finish the meal.
B. Ensure the client is upright and feed slowly.
, C. Give thin liquids to make swallowing easier.
D. Offer large bites to save time.
🟢 B. Ensure the client is upright and feed slowly.
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with dysphagia should be positioned upright and fed slowly to reduce
the risk of aspiration. Thin liquids and large bites increase aspiration risk.
9. A client's family asks the PSW for medical advice. The PSW should:
A. Provide advice based on personal experience.
B. Politely refuse and suggest they speak with the nurse or physician.
C. Look up the answer on the internet.
D. Give advice if it is a minor issue.
🟢 B. Politely refuse and suggest they speak with the nurse or physician.
🔴 RATIONALE: PSWs are not qualified to give medical advice. They must refer such questions
to the appropriate regulated healthcare professional.
10. Which of the following is the correct way to wash hands?
A. Use hot water and soap, rub for 5 seconds, rinse, and dry.
B. Use cold water, rub for 10 seconds, and air dry.
C. Use warm water and soap, rub for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry.
D. Use hand sanitizer only.
🟢 C. Use warm water and soap, rub for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry.
🔴 RATIONALE: Proper handwashing requires warm water, soap, and friction for at least 15–20
seconds to effectively remove microorganisms.
11. A client is on bed rest. How often should the PSW reposition the client?
A. Every 4 hours.
B. Every 2 hours.
C. Every 8 hours.
D. Only when the client complains.
🟢 B. Every 2 hours.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
The PSW Role: Scope of Practice, Ethics, and the Healthcare Team
Safety, Body Mechanics, and Emergency Procedures
Infection Prevention, Hygiene, and Personal Care
Nutrition, Hydration, and Feeding Assistance
Mobility, Positioning, and Restorative Care
Communication, Documentation, and Client Rights
Mental Health, Dementia, and Palliative Care
Household Management and Family Support
Introduction
The NACC PSW Examination assesses the competency of personal support workers to provide
safe, ethical, and client-centered care in community and facility settings. It evaluates knowledge
across the PSW role, safety, hygiene, nutrition, mobility, communication, mental health, and
household management. The assessment employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
to test clinical judgment, infection control, and professional boundaries. Emphasis is placed on
real-world application, client dignity, and adherence to the NACC standards. This exam ensures
candidates are prepared to deliver compassionate and competent support.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A PSW is assigned to help a client with a bed bath. The client refuses. What should the PSW
do?
A. Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the supervisor.
B. Proceed with the bath because cleanliness is essential.
C. Ask the family to convince the client.
D. Skip the bath and do not document it.
🟢 A. Respect the refusal, document it, and report to the supervisor.
,🔴 RATIONALE: Client autonomy is a fundamental right. A refusal must be respected,
documented, and reported to the supervisor so the care plan can be reviewed.
2. Which of the following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment
(PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, eyewear.
B. Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves.
C. Mask, gloves, gown, eyewear.
D. Eyewear, gloves, mask, gown.
🟢 B. Gown, mask, eyewear, gloves.
🔴 RATIONALE: PPE must be donned in a specific sequence to prevent contamination: gown
first, then mask, eyewear, and gloves last.
3. A client with dementia becomes agitated during morning care. What is the PSW's best
response?
A. Tell the client to calm down.
B. Stop the care, reassure the client, and try again later.
C. Restrain the client to finish the care.
D. Ignore the agitation and continue.
🟢 B. Stop the care, reassure the client, and try again later.
🔴 RATIONALE: When a client with dementia becomes agitated, the PSW should stop the task,
provide reassurance, and attempt care at a later time to reduce distress.
4. When transferring a client from bed to wheelchair, the PSW should:
A. Keep the bed at its highest position.
B. Lock the wheelchair brakes and position it close to the bed.
C. Pull the client by the arms.
D. Twist the torso while lifting.
🟢 B. Lock the wheelchair brakes and position it close to the bed.
🔴 RATIONALE: Locking the wheelchair brakes and positioning it close to the bed is essential
for a safe transfer and prevents falls or injury.
,5. Which of the following is a sign of dehydration in an older adult?
A. Increased urine output.
B. Dry mouth and poor skin turgor.
C. Weight gain.
D. Moist mucous membranes.
🟢 B. Dry mouth and poor skin turgor.
🔴 RATIONALE: Dry mouth, poor skin turgor, and concentrated urine are classic signs of
dehydration, which is common in older adults.
6. A PSW notices a reddened area on a client's heel. What should the PSW do first?
A. Massage the area vigorously.
B. Report it to the supervisor and avoid pressure on the area.
C. Apply a heating pad.
D. Ignore it because it is a normal sign of aging.
🟢 B. Report it to the supervisor and avoid pressure on the area.
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness over a bony prominence may indicate the beginning of a pressure
ulcer. The PSW should report it and offload pressure to prevent deterioration.
7. Which of the following is considered a normal change of aging?
A. Decreased hearing acuity.
B. Sudden confusion.
C. Rapid weight gain.
D. New onset of incontinence.
🟢 A. Decreased hearing acuity.
🔴 RATIONALE: Gradual hearing loss is a normal age-related change. Sudden confusion, rapid
weight gain, and new incontinence require medical evaluation.
8. A PSW is feeding a client who has dysphagia. The PSW should:
A. Feed quickly to finish the meal.
B. Ensure the client is upright and feed slowly.
, C. Give thin liquids to make swallowing easier.
D. Offer large bites to save time.
🟢 B. Ensure the client is upright and feed slowly.
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with dysphagia should be positioned upright and fed slowly to reduce
the risk of aspiration. Thin liquids and large bites increase aspiration risk.
9. A client's family asks the PSW for medical advice. The PSW should:
A. Provide advice based on personal experience.
B. Politely refuse and suggest they speak with the nurse or physician.
C. Look up the answer on the internet.
D. Give advice if it is a minor issue.
🟢 B. Politely refuse and suggest they speak with the nurse or physician.
🔴 RATIONALE: PSWs are not qualified to give medical advice. They must refer such questions
to the appropriate regulated healthcare professional.
10. Which of the following is the correct way to wash hands?
A. Use hot water and soap, rub for 5 seconds, rinse, and dry.
B. Use cold water, rub for 10 seconds, and air dry.
C. Use warm water and soap, rub for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry.
D. Use hand sanitizer only.
🟢 C. Use warm water and soap, rub for at least 15–20 seconds, rinse, and dry.
🔴 RATIONALE: Proper handwashing requires warm water, soap, and friction for at least 15–20
seconds to effectively remove microorganisms.
11. A client is on bed rest. How often should the PSW reposition the client?
A. Every 4 hours.
B. Every 2 hours.
C. Every 8 hours.
D. Only when the client complains.
🟢 B. Every 2 hours.
