NACC PSW EXAM – LATEST 200 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM
PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A personal support worker (PSW) enters a client's room and notices that the client has
fallen out of bed onto the floor. What is the immediate priority action for the PSW?
A. Immediately lift the client back into bed using a one-person slide transfer
B. Assess the client for injuries, check vital signs, and notify the supervisor or nurse before
moving them
C. Leave the client on the floor and search the facility hallways for an available physician
D. Document the incident in the client care chart before checking their physical condition
Answer: B
The immediate priority after a fall is to assess the client for injuries, check for trauma or pain,
and report to a nurse or supervisor before attempting any movement that could worsen
potential fractures or spinal injuries.
2. Which of the following describes the legal concept of negligence in the context of
personal support work?
A. Failing to act in a manner that a reasonable, prudent support worker would act under similar
circumstances, resulting in harm
B. Refusing to complete a task that falls outside the legal scope of practice for a PSW
C. Sharing client information with other members of the interprofessional healthcare team
D. Assisting a competent client with making an informed decision about their daily meal
schedule
Answer: A
Negligence occurs when a caregiver fails to provide the standard of care expected, leading to
avoidable injury or harm to the client.
3. When communicating with an elderly client who has moderate sensorineural hearing
loss, which approach is most effective?
,A. Speak in a loud, high-pitched tone directly into the client's ear from behind
B. Face the client directly, speak clearly in a normal or slightly lowered pitch, and reduce
background noise
C. Write all instructions down on paper and avoid speaking verbally altogether
D. Talk quickly and use complex medical terminology to ensure thoroughness
Answer: B
Facing the client allows them to utilize visual cues and lip-reading, while a lower-pitched
voice is easier to hear because age-related hearing loss typically affects higher frequencies
first.
4. A client with early-stage dementia accuses the PSW of stealing a wristwatch that is
actually sitting on the bedside table. How should the PSW respond?
A. Argue firmly with the client and prove that the watch is right where they left it
B. Ignore the client's statement completely and walk out of the room
C. Acknowledge the client's feelings, calmly help them look for the watch, and gently guide
their attention elsewhere
D. Restrain the client in bed to prevent further accusations from occurring
Answer: C
Arguing with a client who has cognitive impairment causes frustration and agitation;
validating their feelings and redirecting their attention is the most therapeutic approach.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing and showering
B. Eating and drinking independently
C. Preparing meals and managing household finances
D. Performing oral hygiene and brushing teeth
Answer: C
, IADLs involve complex skills needed to live independently in the community, such as meal
preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and managing money, whereas bathing and eating are
basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
6. When assisting a client with left-sided weakness resulting from a cerebrovascular
accident (stroke) to put on a button-up shirt, which arm should be dressed first?
A. The right arm
B. The left arm
C. Both arms simultaneously
D. Whichever arm the client reaches for first
Answer: B
When dressing a client with hemiplegia or weakness, always dress the affected (weak) side
first and undress the affected side last to minimize unnecessary twisting of limbs.
7. Which of the following vital sign measurements for an adult client should be reported
immediately to the nurse or supervisor?
A. Oral temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F)
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute and labored
D. Radial pulse rate of 74 beats per minute and regular
Answer: C
A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute with labored breathing is outside normal adult
parameters and indicates acute respiratory distress requiring immediate clinical evaluation.
8. What is the primary purpose of using standard precautions in a healthcare setting?
A. To eliminate the need for hand hygiene after client contact
B. To protect both the healthcare worker and the client from the transmission of infectious
agents
C. To reduce the financial cost of purchasing personal protective equipment
D. To isolate clients who have diagnosed psychiatric disorders
ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES |
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE | EXAM
PREP | STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A personal support worker (PSW) enters a client's room and notices that the client has
fallen out of bed onto the floor. What is the immediate priority action for the PSW?
A. Immediately lift the client back into bed using a one-person slide transfer
B. Assess the client for injuries, check vital signs, and notify the supervisor or nurse before
moving them
C. Leave the client on the floor and search the facility hallways for an available physician
D. Document the incident in the client care chart before checking their physical condition
Answer: B
The immediate priority after a fall is to assess the client for injuries, check for trauma or pain,
and report to a nurse or supervisor before attempting any movement that could worsen
potential fractures or spinal injuries.
2. Which of the following describes the legal concept of negligence in the context of
personal support work?
A. Failing to act in a manner that a reasonable, prudent support worker would act under similar
circumstances, resulting in harm
B. Refusing to complete a task that falls outside the legal scope of practice for a PSW
C. Sharing client information with other members of the interprofessional healthcare team
D. Assisting a competent client with making an informed decision about their daily meal
schedule
Answer: A
Negligence occurs when a caregiver fails to provide the standard of care expected, leading to
avoidable injury or harm to the client.
3. When communicating with an elderly client who has moderate sensorineural hearing
loss, which approach is most effective?
,A. Speak in a loud, high-pitched tone directly into the client's ear from behind
B. Face the client directly, speak clearly in a normal or slightly lowered pitch, and reduce
background noise
C. Write all instructions down on paper and avoid speaking verbally altogether
D. Talk quickly and use complex medical terminology to ensure thoroughness
Answer: B
Facing the client allows them to utilize visual cues and lip-reading, while a lower-pitched
voice is easier to hear because age-related hearing loss typically affects higher frequencies
first.
4. A client with early-stage dementia accuses the PSW of stealing a wristwatch that is
actually sitting on the bedside table. How should the PSW respond?
A. Argue firmly with the client and prove that the watch is right where they left it
B. Ignore the client's statement completely and walk out of the room
C. Acknowledge the client's feelings, calmly help them look for the watch, and gently guide
their attention elsewhere
D. Restrain the client in bed to prevent further accusations from occurring
Answer: C
Arguing with a client who has cognitive impairment causes frustration and agitation;
validating their feelings and redirecting their attention is the most therapeutic approach.
5. Which of the following is considered an Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL)?
A. Bathing and showering
B. Eating and drinking independently
C. Preparing meals and managing household finances
D. Performing oral hygiene and brushing teeth
Answer: C
, IADLs involve complex skills needed to live independently in the community, such as meal
preparation, housekeeping, laundry, and managing money, whereas bathing and eating are
basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
6. When assisting a client with left-sided weakness resulting from a cerebrovascular
accident (stroke) to put on a button-up shirt, which arm should be dressed first?
A. The right arm
B. The left arm
C. Both arms simultaneously
D. Whichever arm the client reaches for first
Answer: B
When dressing a client with hemiplegia or weakness, always dress the affected (weak) side
first and undress the affected side last to minimize unnecessary twisting of limbs.
7. Which of the following vital sign measurements for an adult client should be reported
immediately to the nurse or supervisor?
A. Oral temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F)
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute and labored
D. Radial pulse rate of 74 beats per minute and regular
Answer: C
A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute with labored breathing is outside normal adult
parameters and indicates acute respiratory distress requiring immediate clinical evaluation.
8. What is the primary purpose of using standard precautions in a healthcare setting?
A. To eliminate the need for hand hygiene after client contact
B. To protect both the healthcare worker and the client from the transmission of infectious
agents
C. To reduce the financial cost of purchasing personal protective equipment
D. To isolate clients who have diagnosed psychiatric disorders
