HCA WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS AND RATIONALES
Why are professional boundaries important in caregiving?
a) To prevent confusion about responsibilities
b) To maintain a healthy relationship with the client
c) To allow the caregiver to take on extra tasks
d) To keep the caregiver's work private
Answer: b) To maintain a healthy relationship with the client
Rationale: Professional boundaries help maintain a respectful and healthy relationship between
caregivers and clients.
What should the HCA do if the client's son asks them to do family laundry along with the
client's?
a) Agree to do the laundry to help the family
b) Explain that the HCA can only provide services for the client
c) Ask the client if it's okay to do the laundry
d) Do the laundry and not tell anyone
Answer: b) Explain that the HCA can only provide services for the client
Rationale: HCAs must stay within their role and not take on tasks outside the scope of the
client’s care plan.
If a client’s daughter asks the HCA about her father’s health, the best response is:
a) Tell the daughter all about her father’s condition
b) Suggest the daughter ask her father directly about his health
c) Refuse to answer and tell her it’s confidential
d) Tell the daughter to contact the doctor directly
Answer: b) Suggest the daughter ask her father directly about his health
Rationale: It’s important to respect client confidentiality and encourage family members to
communicate directly with the client.
Which of the following is an example of a restraint?
a) Giving the client a choice of clothes
b) Dressing the client in clothing selected because it cannot be removed by the client
c) Helping the client choose appropriate clothing
d) Offering the client comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
,Answer: b) Dressing the client in clothing selected because it cannot be removed by the client
Rationale: A restraint limits the client’s freedom of movement, such as through clothing that
cannot be easily removed.
If a client on a special diet wants to add new foods, the best response is:
a) Encourage the client to try the new foods
b) Suggest the client discuss this with their doctor or dietitian first
c) Allow the client to make the decision themselves
d) Tell the client they can add anything they like
Answer: b) Suggest the client discuss this with their doctor or dietitian first
Rationale: Clients should consult a healthcare professional before making changes to their diet,
especially when on a special diet.
If a client feels weak but wants to take a tub bath, and the HCA is concerned about the risk
of falling, what should the HCA do?
a) Let the client take the bath without concern
b) Explain the HCA’s concerns and offer alternatives
c) Tell the client they cannot have a bath
d) Help the client take the bath, even with concerns
Answer: b) Explain the HCA’s concerns and offer alternatives
Rationale: The HCA should address safety concerns and offer safer alternatives for the client.
When reporting suspected abuse to DSHS, the HCA must:
a) Share their opinions about the situation
b) Describe only what has been observed
c) Make sure to include personal details of the client
d) Report to family members first
Answer: b) Describe only what has been observed
Rationale: The HCA must report facts and observations, not assumptions or opinions, when
reporting abuse.
If a family member takes valuable items from the client’s home without permission, this
could be a sign of:
a) Physical abuse
b) Financial exploitation
c) Neglect
d) Emotional abuse
Answer: b) Financial exploitation
Rationale: Taking valuables without permission is an example of financial exploitation.
, Why is a client's care plan important for the HCA?
a) To identify what personal care tasks the client needs
b) To establish a relationship with the client
c) To decide what type of food the client should eat
d) To keep a record of the client’s financial status
Answer: a) To identify what personal care tasks the client needs
Rationale: The care plan outlines the specific personal care tasks and needs of the client.
When should the HCA wear gloves?
a) Only during meal preparation
b) Only when the client asks for them
c) When providing care for chapped hands
d) Only when the client is sick
Answer: c) When providing care for chapped hands
Rationale: Gloves protect both the caregiver and the client, especially when there is a risk of
infection from skin conditions like chapped hands.
True or False: You are a mandatory reporter of abuse for any vulnerable adult.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True
Rationale: HCAs are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.
True or False: You need to know if your client has advanced directives and where they are
located.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True
Rationale: It’s important to know if the client has advanced directives, as they provide guidance
for medical decisions in case of incapacity.
True or False: A restraint can be used if the client says they are afraid of falling.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False
Rationale: Restraints should not be used simply due to fear. Other methods, such as fall
prevention strategies, should be considered.
True or False: A client’s right to decide what care they receive is protected by law.
a) True
SOLUTIONS AND RATIONALES
Why are professional boundaries important in caregiving?
a) To prevent confusion about responsibilities
b) To maintain a healthy relationship with the client
c) To allow the caregiver to take on extra tasks
d) To keep the caregiver's work private
Answer: b) To maintain a healthy relationship with the client
Rationale: Professional boundaries help maintain a respectful and healthy relationship between
caregivers and clients.
What should the HCA do if the client's son asks them to do family laundry along with the
client's?
a) Agree to do the laundry to help the family
b) Explain that the HCA can only provide services for the client
c) Ask the client if it's okay to do the laundry
d) Do the laundry and not tell anyone
Answer: b) Explain that the HCA can only provide services for the client
Rationale: HCAs must stay within their role and not take on tasks outside the scope of the
client’s care plan.
If a client’s daughter asks the HCA about her father’s health, the best response is:
a) Tell the daughter all about her father’s condition
b) Suggest the daughter ask her father directly about his health
c) Refuse to answer and tell her it’s confidential
d) Tell the daughter to contact the doctor directly
Answer: b) Suggest the daughter ask her father directly about his health
Rationale: It’s important to respect client confidentiality and encourage family members to
communicate directly with the client.
Which of the following is an example of a restraint?
a) Giving the client a choice of clothes
b) Dressing the client in clothing selected because it cannot be removed by the client
c) Helping the client choose appropriate clothing
d) Offering the client comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
,Answer: b) Dressing the client in clothing selected because it cannot be removed by the client
Rationale: A restraint limits the client’s freedom of movement, such as through clothing that
cannot be easily removed.
If a client on a special diet wants to add new foods, the best response is:
a) Encourage the client to try the new foods
b) Suggest the client discuss this with their doctor or dietitian first
c) Allow the client to make the decision themselves
d) Tell the client they can add anything they like
Answer: b) Suggest the client discuss this with their doctor or dietitian first
Rationale: Clients should consult a healthcare professional before making changes to their diet,
especially when on a special diet.
If a client feels weak but wants to take a tub bath, and the HCA is concerned about the risk
of falling, what should the HCA do?
a) Let the client take the bath without concern
b) Explain the HCA’s concerns and offer alternatives
c) Tell the client they cannot have a bath
d) Help the client take the bath, even with concerns
Answer: b) Explain the HCA’s concerns and offer alternatives
Rationale: The HCA should address safety concerns and offer safer alternatives for the client.
When reporting suspected abuse to DSHS, the HCA must:
a) Share their opinions about the situation
b) Describe only what has been observed
c) Make sure to include personal details of the client
d) Report to family members first
Answer: b) Describe only what has been observed
Rationale: The HCA must report facts and observations, not assumptions or opinions, when
reporting abuse.
If a family member takes valuable items from the client’s home without permission, this
could be a sign of:
a) Physical abuse
b) Financial exploitation
c) Neglect
d) Emotional abuse
Answer: b) Financial exploitation
Rationale: Taking valuables without permission is an example of financial exploitation.
, Why is a client's care plan important for the HCA?
a) To identify what personal care tasks the client needs
b) To establish a relationship with the client
c) To decide what type of food the client should eat
d) To keep a record of the client’s financial status
Answer: a) To identify what personal care tasks the client needs
Rationale: The care plan outlines the specific personal care tasks and needs of the client.
When should the HCA wear gloves?
a) Only during meal preparation
b) Only when the client asks for them
c) When providing care for chapped hands
d) Only when the client is sick
Answer: c) When providing care for chapped hands
Rationale: Gloves protect both the caregiver and the client, especially when there is a risk of
infection from skin conditions like chapped hands.
True or False: You are a mandatory reporter of abuse for any vulnerable adult.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True
Rationale: HCAs are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.
True or False: You need to know if your client has advanced directives and where they are
located.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True
Rationale: It’s important to know if the client has advanced directives, as they provide guidance
for medical decisions in case of incapacity.
True or False: A restraint can be used if the client says they are afraid of falling.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False
Rationale: Restraints should not be used simply due to fear. Other methods, such as fall
prevention strategies, should be considered.
True or False: A client’s right to decide what care they receive is protected by law.
a) True
