NACC PSW: PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
1. A client refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is the PSW's most
appropriate action?
A) Administer the medication without consent
B) Document the refusal and notify the supervisor
C) Force the client to take the medication
D) Ignore the refusal and move on
Answer: B | Explanation: Clients have the right to refuse treatment. The PSW must
document and report refusals to the supervisor/nurse.
2. Which principle best describes a client's right to make their own decisions?
A) Beneficence
B) Non-maleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer: C | Explanation: Autonomy is the ethical principle that supports a person's
right to self-determination and decision-making.
3. A PSW notices a colleague stealing from a client. What should the PSW do first?
A) Confront the colleague directly
B) Report the incident to the supervisor
C) Ignore it to avoid conflict
D) Tell other clients
Answer: B | Explanation: Suspected abuse or theft must be reported to the supervisor
immediately to protect the client.
4. Which of the following is an example of emotional abuse?
, A) Withholding food
B) Threatening to abandon a client
C) Rough physical handling
D) Unauthorized medication changes
Answer: B | Explanation: Emotional abuse includes threats, humiliation, and
intimidation such as threatening abandonment.
5. A PSW is asked by a family member for information about the client's care plan. What
should the PSW do?
A) Share all details freely
B) Refer the family to the supervisor or nurse
C) Give a brief summary
D) Deny any knowledge
Answer: B | Explanation: Confidentiality requires PSWs to refer information requests
to authorized personnel unless the client has consented.
6. What does the term 'informed consent' mean in PSW practice?
A) The client signs any form given to them
B) The client agrees to care after receiving clear information
C) The family gives consent on behalf of the client
D) A nurse provides verbal permission
Answer: B | Explanation: Informed consent means the client understands the nature,
benefits, and risks of care before agreeing to it.
7. Which of the following behaviors violates a client's dignity?
A) Knocking before entering the room
B) Addressing the client by their preferred name
C) Discussing the client's condition in a shared hallway
D) Allowing the client to choose their clothing
Answer: C | Explanation: Discussing private medical information in public spaces
violates client dignity and confidentiality.
8. When a client expresses dissatisfaction with their care, what should the PSW do?
A) Dismiss the complaint
B) Listen actively and report the concern to the supervisor
C) Defend current practices
D) Ask other clients for their opinion
Answer: B | Explanation: PSWs must take client complaints seriously, listen actively,
and report concerns through proper channels.
,9. A PSW develops a close personal friendship with a client. This is an example of:
A) Good client-centered care
B) A professional boundary violation
C) Normal workplace relationship
D) Proper advocacy
Answer: B | Explanation: Developing personal friendships with clients crosses
professional boundaries and can compromise care quality.
10. What is the purpose of a client's care plan in relation to consent?
A) It replaces the need for verbal consent
B) It documents agreed-upon care procedures
C) It is only for nursing staff
D) It authorizes any care the PSW deems necessary
Answer: B | Explanation: The care plan documents what has been agreed to, forming
the basis for ongoing informed consent.
11. A client asks the PSW not to document a fall. The PSW should:
A) Honor the client's request
B) Explain the obligation to document and report, then do so
C) Delay documentation
D) Discuss the request with other clients
Answer: B | Explanation: Documentation of falls is legally required. PSWs must
explain this professional obligation and complete the report.
12. What is a substitute decision maker (SDM)?
A) A PSW who fills in for another worker
B) A person legally authorized to make health care decisions for someone who lacks
capacity
C) A nurse who gives medications
D) The facility administrator
Answer: B | Explanation: An SDM is a legally designated person who makes health
care decisions for a client who lacks the capacity to decide for themselves.
13. Which of the following is financial abuse of a client?
A) Assisting the client to pay their bills
B) Taking money from a client under the pretense of running errands
C) Helping the client manage their budget
D) Recording client expenses accurately
, Answer: B | Explanation: Financial abuse includes theft, manipulation, or
unauthorized use of a client's money or assets.
14. A client tells the PSW they do not want their family informed about their condition.
The PSW should:
A) Inform the family anyway
B) Respect the client's wishes and document it, informing the supervisor
C) Tell only one family member
D) Ignore the request
Answer: B | Explanation: Clients have the right to confidentiality and control over
who receives their health information. This wish must be respected and documented.
15. Neglect in care settings can include:
A) Providing regular meals
B) Failing to reposition a bedridden client, leading to pressure injuries
C) Documenting care accurately
D) Assisting with hygiene daily
Answer: B | Explanation: Neglect involves failure to provide necessary care,
resulting in harm. Failing to reposition a bedridden client is a clear example.
16. What is the difference between abuse and neglect?
A) They are the same thing
B) Abuse is an active harmful act; neglect is a failure to provide necessary care
C) Neglect is intentional; abuse is not
D) Both require physical injury to be reportable
Answer: B | Explanation: Abuse is an active harmful act (hitting, threatening).
Neglect is a failure to act that causes harm.
17. Which of the following actions demonstrates advocacy for a client?
A) Making decisions for the client
B) Speaking up for the client's needs and ensuring their rights are upheld
C) Allowing the client no input in their care
D) Prioritizing family wishes over the client's
Answer: B | Explanation: Advocacy means acting in the client's best interests by
ensuring their voice is heard and their rights are upheld.
18. A client asks the PSW to keep information about their health from other staff. The
PSW should explain:
A) The client's information will be kept completely secret
AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
1. A client refuses to take their prescribed medication. What is the PSW's most
appropriate action?
A) Administer the medication without consent
B) Document the refusal and notify the supervisor
C) Force the client to take the medication
D) Ignore the refusal and move on
Answer: B | Explanation: Clients have the right to refuse treatment. The PSW must
document and report refusals to the supervisor/nurse.
2. Which principle best describes a client's right to make their own decisions?
A) Beneficence
B) Non-maleficence
C) Autonomy
D) Justice
Answer: C | Explanation: Autonomy is the ethical principle that supports a person's
right to self-determination and decision-making.
3. A PSW notices a colleague stealing from a client. What should the PSW do first?
A) Confront the colleague directly
B) Report the incident to the supervisor
C) Ignore it to avoid conflict
D) Tell other clients
Answer: B | Explanation: Suspected abuse or theft must be reported to the supervisor
immediately to protect the client.
4. Which of the following is an example of emotional abuse?
, A) Withholding food
B) Threatening to abandon a client
C) Rough physical handling
D) Unauthorized medication changes
Answer: B | Explanation: Emotional abuse includes threats, humiliation, and
intimidation such as threatening abandonment.
5. A PSW is asked by a family member for information about the client's care plan. What
should the PSW do?
A) Share all details freely
B) Refer the family to the supervisor or nurse
C) Give a brief summary
D) Deny any knowledge
Answer: B | Explanation: Confidentiality requires PSWs to refer information requests
to authorized personnel unless the client has consented.
6. What does the term 'informed consent' mean in PSW practice?
A) The client signs any form given to them
B) The client agrees to care after receiving clear information
C) The family gives consent on behalf of the client
D) A nurse provides verbal permission
Answer: B | Explanation: Informed consent means the client understands the nature,
benefits, and risks of care before agreeing to it.
7. Which of the following behaviors violates a client's dignity?
A) Knocking before entering the room
B) Addressing the client by their preferred name
C) Discussing the client's condition in a shared hallway
D) Allowing the client to choose their clothing
Answer: C | Explanation: Discussing private medical information in public spaces
violates client dignity and confidentiality.
8. When a client expresses dissatisfaction with their care, what should the PSW do?
A) Dismiss the complaint
B) Listen actively and report the concern to the supervisor
C) Defend current practices
D) Ask other clients for their opinion
Answer: B | Explanation: PSWs must take client complaints seriously, listen actively,
and report concerns through proper channels.
,9. A PSW develops a close personal friendship with a client. This is an example of:
A) Good client-centered care
B) A professional boundary violation
C) Normal workplace relationship
D) Proper advocacy
Answer: B | Explanation: Developing personal friendships with clients crosses
professional boundaries and can compromise care quality.
10. What is the purpose of a client's care plan in relation to consent?
A) It replaces the need for verbal consent
B) It documents agreed-upon care procedures
C) It is only for nursing staff
D) It authorizes any care the PSW deems necessary
Answer: B | Explanation: The care plan documents what has been agreed to, forming
the basis for ongoing informed consent.
11. A client asks the PSW not to document a fall. The PSW should:
A) Honor the client's request
B) Explain the obligation to document and report, then do so
C) Delay documentation
D) Discuss the request with other clients
Answer: B | Explanation: Documentation of falls is legally required. PSWs must
explain this professional obligation and complete the report.
12. What is a substitute decision maker (SDM)?
A) A PSW who fills in for another worker
B) A person legally authorized to make health care decisions for someone who lacks
capacity
C) A nurse who gives medications
D) The facility administrator
Answer: B | Explanation: An SDM is a legally designated person who makes health
care decisions for a client who lacks the capacity to decide for themselves.
13. Which of the following is financial abuse of a client?
A) Assisting the client to pay their bills
B) Taking money from a client under the pretense of running errands
C) Helping the client manage their budget
D) Recording client expenses accurately
, Answer: B | Explanation: Financial abuse includes theft, manipulation, or
unauthorized use of a client's money or assets.
14. A client tells the PSW they do not want their family informed about their condition.
The PSW should:
A) Inform the family anyway
B) Respect the client's wishes and document it, informing the supervisor
C) Tell only one family member
D) Ignore the request
Answer: B | Explanation: Clients have the right to confidentiality and control over
who receives their health information. This wish must be respected and documented.
15. Neglect in care settings can include:
A) Providing regular meals
B) Failing to reposition a bedridden client, leading to pressure injuries
C) Documenting care accurately
D) Assisting with hygiene daily
Answer: B | Explanation: Neglect involves failure to provide necessary care,
resulting in harm. Failing to reposition a bedridden client is a clear example.
16. What is the difference between abuse and neglect?
A) They are the same thing
B) Abuse is an active harmful act; neglect is a failure to provide necessary care
C) Neglect is intentional; abuse is not
D) Both require physical injury to be reportable
Answer: B | Explanation: Abuse is an active harmful act (hitting, threatening).
Neglect is a failure to act that causes harm.
17. Which of the following actions demonstrates advocacy for a client?
A) Making decisions for the client
B) Speaking up for the client's needs and ensuring their rights are upheld
C) Allowing the client no input in their care
D) Prioritizing family wishes over the client's
Answer: B | Explanation: Advocacy means acting in the client's best interests by
ensuring their voice is heard and their rights are upheld.
18. A client asks the PSW to keep information about their health from other staff. The
PSW should explain:
A) The client's information will be kept completely secret
