NACC PSW EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
PSW Foundations, Role, and Scope of Practice
Safety, Mobility, and Body Mechanics
Body Systems and Common Health Conditions
Assisting with Personal Hygiene and ADLs
Abuse, Neglect, and Mandatory Reporting
Nutrition and Hydration
Care Planning and Documentation
Assisting the Family and Client-Centered Care
Assisting the Dying Person and Palliative Care
Assisting with Medications and Cognitive/Mental Health
Infection Prevention and Control
Introduction
The NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certification Examination assesses
the candidate's readiness to provide safe, ethical, and client-centered care in
community and long-term care settings. The examination evaluates knowledge
of the PSW role and scope of practice, personal care and activities of daily
living, safety and mobility, infection prevention and control, nutrition and
hydration, abuse recognition and mandatory reporting, care planning, and
,palliative care. Candidates are assessed on their ability to apply the DIPPS
principles—Dignity, Independence, Preferences, Privacy, and Safety—in real-
world care scenarios. The examination employs a multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure, emphasising clinical judgment, professional
boundaries, and interprofessional collaboration. The NACC exam consists of
200 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 65%
within 2.5 hours.
Section One: Questions 1–200
Question 1
A PSW is asked by a family member to change a client's wound dressing using
sterile technique. What is the appropriate response?
A. Perform the sterile dressing change as requested by the family
B. Explain that sterile dressing changes are outside the PSW scope of practice
and report the need to the nurse
C. Attempt the dressing change using clean technique instead
D. Ask another PSW to perform the sterile dressing change
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Sterile procedures are outside the PSW scope of practice per
NACC standards. PSWs may assist with non-sterile wound care under nurse
delegation but cannot perform sterile procedures. The PSW must advocate for
the client by communicating the need to the appropriate regulated healthcare
professional.
Question 2
A PSW observes a colleague taking photos of a client without consent and
posting them on social media. What is the PSW's obligation under PIPEDA?
A. Ignore the behaviour because the colleague is just having fun
,B. Report the privacy breach to the supervisor immediately as it violates client
confidentiality and PIPEDA
C. Ask the colleague to delete the photos but do not report further
D. Take photos of the client yourself to show the colleague how to do it
properly
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Under PIPEDA, client photos are personal health
information requiring consent for collection, use, and disclosure. Social
media posting without consent is a serious privacy breach. PSWs have a
professional and legal obligation to report breaches to protect client rights
and organizational compliance.
Question 3
A client tells a PSW they are being financially exploited by a family member.
What is the PSW's first action?
A. Confront the family member directly
B. Document the disclosure objectively and report to the supervisor
immediately per mandatory reporting obligations
C. Promise the client you will handle it yourself
D. Tell the client it is a private family matter
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Financial abuse of vulnerable adults is reportable under
provincial adult protection legislation and organizational abuse reporting
policies. The PSW must document exactly what the client said, avoid
investigating independently, and report immediately to the supervisor.
Question 4
, A PSW is feeling overwhelmed by the emotional demands of caring for clients
with dementia. Which self-care strategy is most effective?
A. Work extra shifts to avoid thinking about the stress
B. Access employee assistance programs, debrief with supervisors, practice
mindfulness, and maintain boundaries between work and personal life
C. Ignore the feelings because PSWs should not show vulnerability
D. Vent about specific clients to friends on social media
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: PSW burnout and compassion fatigue are occupational
hazards. Effective self-care includes utilizing organizational supports, peer
debriefing, stress reduction techniques, and maintaining professional
boundaries.
Question 5
Holistic care in PSW practice refers to:
A. Treating only the physical symptoms of illness
B. Caring for the whole person including physical, emotional, social,
intellectual, and spiritual needs
C. Focusing exclusively on the client's medical diagnosis
D. Providing care based solely on the care plan
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Holistic care considers the whole person who has physical,
social, psychological, and spiritual needs. It recognizes that all dimensions of
a person's life affect their health and well-being.
Question 6
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
PSW Foundations, Role, and Scope of Practice
Safety, Mobility, and Body Mechanics
Body Systems and Common Health Conditions
Assisting with Personal Hygiene and ADLs
Abuse, Neglect, and Mandatory Reporting
Nutrition and Hydration
Care Planning and Documentation
Assisting the Family and Client-Centered Care
Assisting the Dying Person and Palliative Care
Assisting with Medications and Cognitive/Mental Health
Infection Prevention and Control
Introduction
The NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certification Examination assesses
the candidate's readiness to provide safe, ethical, and client-centered care in
community and long-term care settings. The examination evaluates knowledge
of the PSW role and scope of practice, personal care and activities of daily
living, safety and mobility, infection prevention and control, nutrition and
hydration, abuse recognition and mandatory reporting, care planning, and
,palliative care. Candidates are assessed on their ability to apply the DIPPS
principles—Dignity, Independence, Preferences, Privacy, and Safety—in real-
world care scenarios. The examination employs a multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure, emphasising clinical judgment, professional
boundaries, and interprofessional collaboration. The NACC exam consists of
200 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 65%
within 2.5 hours.
Section One: Questions 1–200
Question 1
A PSW is asked by a family member to change a client's wound dressing using
sterile technique. What is the appropriate response?
A. Perform the sterile dressing change as requested by the family
B. Explain that sterile dressing changes are outside the PSW scope of practice
and report the need to the nurse
C. Attempt the dressing change using clean technique instead
D. Ask another PSW to perform the sterile dressing change
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Sterile procedures are outside the PSW scope of practice per
NACC standards. PSWs may assist with non-sterile wound care under nurse
delegation but cannot perform sterile procedures. The PSW must advocate for
the client by communicating the need to the appropriate regulated healthcare
professional.
Question 2
A PSW observes a colleague taking photos of a client without consent and
posting them on social media. What is the PSW's obligation under PIPEDA?
A. Ignore the behaviour because the colleague is just having fun
,B. Report the privacy breach to the supervisor immediately as it violates client
confidentiality and PIPEDA
C. Ask the colleague to delete the photos but do not report further
D. Take photos of the client yourself to show the colleague how to do it
properly
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Under PIPEDA, client photos are personal health
information requiring consent for collection, use, and disclosure. Social
media posting without consent is a serious privacy breach. PSWs have a
professional and legal obligation to report breaches to protect client rights
and organizational compliance.
Question 3
A client tells a PSW they are being financially exploited by a family member.
What is the PSW's first action?
A. Confront the family member directly
B. Document the disclosure objectively and report to the supervisor
immediately per mandatory reporting obligations
C. Promise the client you will handle it yourself
D. Tell the client it is a private family matter
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Financial abuse of vulnerable adults is reportable under
provincial adult protection legislation and organizational abuse reporting
policies. The PSW must document exactly what the client said, avoid
investigating independently, and report immediately to the supervisor.
Question 4
, A PSW is feeling overwhelmed by the emotional demands of caring for clients
with dementia. Which self-care strategy is most effective?
A. Work extra shifts to avoid thinking about the stress
B. Access employee assistance programs, debrief with supervisors, practice
mindfulness, and maintain boundaries between work and personal life
C. Ignore the feelings because PSWs should not show vulnerability
D. Vent about specific clients to friends on social media
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: PSW burnout and compassion fatigue are occupational
hazards. Effective self-care includes utilizing organizational supports, peer
debriefing, stress reduction techniques, and maintaining professional
boundaries.
Question 5
Holistic care in PSW practice refers to:
A. Treating only the physical symptoms of illness
B. Caring for the whole person including physical, emotional, social,
intellectual, and spiritual needs
C. Focusing exclusively on the client's medical diagnosis
D. Providing care based solely on the care plan
Correct answer: B
RATIONALE: Holistic care considers the whole person who has physical,
social, psychological, and spiritual needs. It recognizes that all dimensions of
a person's life affect their health and well-being.
Question 6
