PSW (NACC) FINAL EXAM Latest Update
2025/2026 | Personal Support Worker
Certification Questions with Answers and
Rationales | Grade A | 100% Verified
QUESTION 1
What is the definition of growth in the context of human development?
A) The maturation towards adulthood characterized by physical changes and
increased ability
B) Increase in physical size and weight that occurs in a slow and steady
manner
C) The progressive loss of brain function including cognitive and social
functions
D) The ability to learn new skills and behaviors
Rationale: Growth refers to the physical increase in size and weight that
occurs in a slow and steady manner. It is measurable and typically follows a
predictable pattern throughout childhood and adolescence.
QUESTION 2
What is the definition of development?
A) Increase in physical size and weight that occurs in a slow and steady
manner
B) The maturation towards adulthood usually characterized by physical
changes and increased ability and functionality
C) The progressive loss of brain function including cognitive and social
functions
D) A condition in which signs and symptoms increase at bedtime
,Rationale: Development refers to the maturation process towards adulthood,
characterized by physical changes and increased ability and functionality. It
encompasses cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
QUESTION 3
What is the definition of dementia?
A) Increase in physical size and weight
B) The maturation towards adulthood
C) The general term that describes the progressive loss of brain function
which includes cognitive and social functions; it is not a single disease
but a group of illnesses that involve memory, behavior, learning, and
communication
D) A condition in which signs and symptoms increase at bedtime
Rationale: Dementia is a general term describing progressive loss of brain
function affecting cognitive and social abilities. It encompasses a group of
illnesses that affect memory, behavior, learning, and communication.
QUESTION 4
What is sundowning?
A) The maturation towards adulthood
B) The progressive loss of brain function
C) A condition in which the signs, symptoms, and behaviors of dementia
increase at bedtime or during hours of darkness
D) A type of medication for sleep
Rationale: Sundowning is a condition where dementia symptoms worsen
during the evening and nighttime hours. This may include increased
confusion, agitation, and restlessness as daylight fades.
QUESTION 5
What are tablets?
,A) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
B) Dry powdered medication that has been formed into hard disks or
cylinders; medications that are placed under the tongue and dissolved
or absorbed into the body
C) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water and flavorings
D) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina
Rationale: Tablets are solid dosage forms made from compressed dry
powders. Some tablets are designed to be placed under the tongue
(sublingual) where they dissolve and are absorbed directly into the
bloodstream.
QUESTION 6
What are suppositories?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina; body
temperature causes the suppository to dissolve
D) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water
Rationale: Suppositories are solid medications designed for insertion into the
rectum or vagina. They melt or dissolve at body temperature, releasing the
medication for absorption through the mucous membranes.
QUESTION 7
What are elixirs?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina
D) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water and
flavorings
Rationale: Elixirs are liquid medications in which the active ingredient is
dissolved in a solution containing alcohol, water, and flavorings. They are
, typically taken orally and are often used for patients who have difficulty
swallowing tablets.
QUESTION 8
What are capsules?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water
D) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum
Rationale: Capsules are small gelatin shells that contain powdered, liquid, or
granular medication. They dissolve in the digestive tract, releasing the
medication for absorption.
QUESTION 9
Which of the following is an example of a sublingual medication?
A) A capsule swallowed with water
B) An elixir taken orally
C) A tablet placed under the tongue to dissolve
D) A suppository inserted rectally
Rationale: Sublingual medications are tablets placed under the tongue where
they dissolve and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the
mucous membranes.
QUESTION 10
A client with dementia who becomes more agitated and confused in the
evening is experiencing:
A) Delirium
B) Sundowning
C) Depression
D) Anxiety
2025/2026 | Personal Support Worker
Certification Questions with Answers and
Rationales | Grade A | 100% Verified
QUESTION 1
What is the definition of growth in the context of human development?
A) The maturation towards adulthood characterized by physical changes and
increased ability
B) Increase in physical size and weight that occurs in a slow and steady
manner
C) The progressive loss of brain function including cognitive and social
functions
D) The ability to learn new skills and behaviors
Rationale: Growth refers to the physical increase in size and weight that
occurs in a slow and steady manner. It is measurable and typically follows a
predictable pattern throughout childhood and adolescence.
QUESTION 2
What is the definition of development?
A) Increase in physical size and weight that occurs in a slow and steady
manner
B) The maturation towards adulthood usually characterized by physical
changes and increased ability and functionality
C) The progressive loss of brain function including cognitive and social
functions
D) A condition in which signs and symptoms increase at bedtime
,Rationale: Development refers to the maturation process towards adulthood,
characterized by physical changes and increased ability and functionality. It
encompasses cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
QUESTION 3
What is the definition of dementia?
A) Increase in physical size and weight
B) The maturation towards adulthood
C) The general term that describes the progressive loss of brain function
which includes cognitive and social functions; it is not a single disease
but a group of illnesses that involve memory, behavior, learning, and
communication
D) A condition in which signs and symptoms increase at bedtime
Rationale: Dementia is a general term describing progressive loss of brain
function affecting cognitive and social abilities. It encompasses a group of
illnesses that affect memory, behavior, learning, and communication.
QUESTION 4
What is sundowning?
A) The maturation towards adulthood
B) The progressive loss of brain function
C) A condition in which the signs, symptoms, and behaviors of dementia
increase at bedtime or during hours of darkness
D) A type of medication for sleep
Rationale: Sundowning is a condition where dementia symptoms worsen
during the evening and nighttime hours. This may include increased
confusion, agitation, and restlessness as daylight fades.
QUESTION 5
What are tablets?
,A) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
B) Dry powdered medication that has been formed into hard disks or
cylinders; medications that are placed under the tongue and dissolved
or absorbed into the body
C) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water and flavorings
D) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina
Rationale: Tablets are solid dosage forms made from compressed dry
powders. Some tablets are designed to be placed under the tongue
(sublingual) where they dissolve and are absorbed directly into the
bloodstream.
QUESTION 6
What are suppositories?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina; body
temperature causes the suppository to dissolve
D) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water
Rationale: Suppositories are solid medications designed for insertion into the
rectum or vagina. They melt or dissolve at body temperature, releasing the
medication for absorption through the mucous membranes.
QUESTION 7
What are elixirs?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum or vagina
D) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water and
flavorings
Rationale: Elixirs are liquid medications in which the active ingredient is
dissolved in a solution containing alcohol, water, and flavorings. They are
, typically taken orally and are often used for patients who have difficulty
swallowing tablets.
QUESTION 8
What are capsules?
A) Dry powdered medication formed into hard disks
B) Small gelatin containers that hold medications
C) Medication dissolved in liquid containing alcohol or water
D) Solid form of medication for insertion into the rectum
Rationale: Capsules are small gelatin shells that contain powdered, liquid, or
granular medication. They dissolve in the digestive tract, releasing the
medication for absorption.
QUESTION 9
Which of the following is an example of a sublingual medication?
A) A capsule swallowed with water
B) An elixir taken orally
C) A tablet placed under the tongue to dissolve
D) A suppository inserted rectally
Rationale: Sublingual medications are tablets placed under the tongue where
they dissolve and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the
mucous membranes.
QUESTION 10
A client with dementia who becomes more agitated and confused in the
evening is experiencing:
A) Delirium
B) Sundowning
C) Depression
D) Anxiety
