HCA Written Actual Exam V2 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM | Healthcare Assistant
Certification Examination | Version 2 |
Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Domain 1: Infection Prevention & Control
(Questions 1-9)
Q1: Mr. Henderson, 78, is recovering from COVID-19 with persistent cough and fatigue (Day 12
post-diagnosis). He resides in a long-term care facility during an endemic COVID-19 management
phase. According to current 2026 CDC guidelines for healthcare settings, what PPE is REQUIRED
when providing direct personal care?
A. Standard precautions only (gloves as needed for contact with bodily fluids)
B. N95 respirator, eye protection, gown, and gloves
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. N95 respirator and gloves only [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Current 2026 guidelines for endemic COVID-19 management require N95 respirators
and gloves for care of symptomatic or recently symptomatic residents, with eye protection added
only for aerosol-generating procedures. Option A ignores respiratory transmission risks; Option B
incorrectly requires eye protection for routine care; Option C provides insufficient respiratory
protection against airborne particles.
Q2: During morning care, you notice your colleague wearing the same N95 respirator for 4 hours
across multiple residents, touching the front of the mask when doffing. What is your MOST
appropriate first action?
A. Immediately report the colleague to the infection control nurse
B. Privately remind the colleague of proper respirator hygiene and hand-to-face contact protocols
[CORRECT]
C. Document the incident in the resident's chart
D. Ignore it since the respirator is being worn continuously for the same shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per Just Culture principles and team safety protocols, immediate peer-to-peer correction
regarding PPE misuse prevents ongoing risk. Option A bypasses direct communication and may
create unnecessary conflict; Option C is inappropriate charting; Option D condones unsafe
practice that could lead to cross-contamination.
Q3: You are assisting with post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in a home health setting. The client reports
continued "brain fog" and asks about reinfection protocols. Which statement aligns with current
long-term COVID-19 management guidelines?
A. "You should remain in strict isolation for 14 days after symptoms resolve to prevent reinfection"
B. "Reinfection is impossible after having COVID-19, so no special precautions are needed"
,C. "Standard precautions plus masking during close contact remain important, as reinfection can
occur with new variants" [CORRECT]
D. "You only need to wear a mask if you develop a fever again"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Current evidence indicates reinfection is possible with immune-evasive variants;
therefore, continued standard precautions with source control during close contact is
recommended. Option A is excessive for endemic phases; Option B is medically inaccurate; Option
D ignores asymptomatic transmission.
Q4: When performing hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), what is the MINIMUM
time required to achieve effective antimicrobial action?
A. 10 seconds
B. 20 seconds [CORRECT]
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WHO and CDC guidelines specify 20-30 seconds of wet contact time for ABHR to
effectively reduce bacterial and viral loads. Option A is insufficient for microbial reduction; Options
C and D exceed minimum requirements though are not harmful.
Q5: Mrs. Patel has a confirmed C. difficile infection. You have completed perineal care. What is the
CORRECT sequence for doffing PPE to prevent environmental contamination?
A. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, remove gown, perform hand hygiene
, B. Remove gown, remove gloves, perform hand hygiene [CORRECT]
C. Remove gloves, remove gown, perform hand hygiene
D. Remove gown while wearing gloves, then remove both simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence prevents contaminated gloves from touching clean clothing
underneath. Gloves are removed first after care, then gown (turned inward), followed by hand
hygiene with soap and water (required for C. difficile as ABHR is ineffective against spores). Option
A incorrectly suggests hand hygiene between glove and gown removal; Option C omits the
soap-and-water requirement; Option D risks self-contamination.
Q6: You notice a sharps container is filled to the 3/4 mark in Mrs. Johnson's room. What is your
BEST action?
A. Empty some contents into the biohazard bag to reduce the level
B. Close the container, seal it properly, and replace with a new one [CORRECT]
C. Continue using it until absolutely full to avoid waste
D. Place sharps in the regular trash until housekeeping replaces the container
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA standards require sharps containers to be replaced when 3/4 full to prevent
needlestick injuries. Option A increases injury risk; Option C violates safety regulations; Option D
creates hazardous waste violations and injury risks.
Q7: During contact precautions for MRSA, which action requires IMMEDIATE correction?
ACTUAL EXAM | Healthcare Assistant
Certification Examination | Version 2 |
Verified Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Domain 1: Infection Prevention & Control
(Questions 1-9)
Q1: Mr. Henderson, 78, is recovering from COVID-19 with persistent cough and fatigue (Day 12
post-diagnosis). He resides in a long-term care facility during an endemic COVID-19 management
phase. According to current 2026 CDC guidelines for healthcare settings, what PPE is REQUIRED
when providing direct personal care?
A. Standard precautions only (gloves as needed for contact with bodily fluids)
B. N95 respirator, eye protection, gown, and gloves
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. N95 respirator and gloves only [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Current 2026 guidelines for endemic COVID-19 management require N95 respirators
and gloves for care of symptomatic or recently symptomatic residents, with eye protection added
only for aerosol-generating procedures. Option A ignores respiratory transmission risks; Option B
incorrectly requires eye protection for routine care; Option C provides insufficient respiratory
protection against airborne particles.
Q2: During morning care, you notice your colleague wearing the same N95 respirator for 4 hours
across multiple residents, touching the front of the mask when doffing. What is your MOST
appropriate first action?
A. Immediately report the colleague to the infection control nurse
B. Privately remind the colleague of proper respirator hygiene and hand-to-face contact protocols
[CORRECT]
C. Document the incident in the resident's chart
D. Ignore it since the respirator is being worn continuously for the same shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per Just Culture principles and team safety protocols, immediate peer-to-peer correction
regarding PPE misuse prevents ongoing risk. Option A bypasses direct communication and may
create unnecessary conflict; Option C is inappropriate charting; Option D condones unsafe
practice that could lead to cross-contamination.
Q3: You are assisting with post-COVID-19 rehabilitation in a home health setting. The client reports
continued "brain fog" and asks about reinfection protocols. Which statement aligns with current
long-term COVID-19 management guidelines?
A. "You should remain in strict isolation for 14 days after symptoms resolve to prevent reinfection"
B. "Reinfection is impossible after having COVID-19, so no special precautions are needed"
,C. "Standard precautions plus masking during close contact remain important, as reinfection can
occur with new variants" [CORRECT]
D. "You only need to wear a mask if you develop a fever again"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Current evidence indicates reinfection is possible with immune-evasive variants;
therefore, continued standard precautions with source control during close contact is
recommended. Option A is excessive for endemic phases; Option B is medically inaccurate; Option
D ignores asymptomatic transmission.
Q4: When performing hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), what is the MINIMUM
time required to achieve effective antimicrobial action?
A. 10 seconds
B. 20 seconds [CORRECT]
C. 30 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WHO and CDC guidelines specify 20-30 seconds of wet contact time for ABHR to
effectively reduce bacterial and viral loads. Option A is insufficient for microbial reduction; Options
C and D exceed minimum requirements though are not harmful.
Q5: Mrs. Patel has a confirmed C. difficile infection. You have completed perineal care. What is the
CORRECT sequence for doffing PPE to prevent environmental contamination?
A. Remove gloves, perform hand hygiene, remove gown, perform hand hygiene
, B. Remove gown, remove gloves, perform hand hygiene [CORRECT]
C. Remove gloves, remove gown, perform hand hygiene
D. Remove gown while wearing gloves, then remove both simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence prevents contaminated gloves from touching clean clothing
underneath. Gloves are removed first after care, then gown (turned inward), followed by hand
hygiene with soap and water (required for C. difficile as ABHR is ineffective against spores). Option
A incorrectly suggests hand hygiene between glove and gown removal; Option C omits the
soap-and-water requirement; Option D risks self-contamination.
Q6: You notice a sharps container is filled to the 3/4 mark in Mrs. Johnson's room. What is your
BEST action?
A. Empty some contents into the biohazard bag to reduce the level
B. Close the container, seal it properly, and replace with a new one [CORRECT]
C. Continue using it until absolutely full to avoid waste
D. Place sharps in the regular trash until housekeeping replaces the container
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA standards require sharps containers to be replaced when 3/4 full to prevent
needlestick injuries. Option A increases injury risk; Option C violates safety regulations; Option D
creates hazardous waste violations and injury risks.
Q7: During contact precautions for MRSA, which action requires IMMEDIATE correction?
