1|Page
NACC PSW (PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER) EXAM PACKAGE
INCLUDING PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE WITH
ACCURATE, VERIFIED ANSWERS. COVERS PATIENT CARE,
COMMUNICATION, SAFETY, INFECTION CONTROL, AND
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
PPE and standard precaution - ANSWER-PPE personal protective equipment is special clothing
and equipment that act as a barrier between microbes and your hands, eyes , nose , mouth and
clothing, PPE equipment are gloves, gowns, masks and Eye protection you should always follow
a standard practices when using them hand hygiene, gloves, masks, and Eye protection and the
care of equipment
Signs of an infection - ANSWER-fever and chills ,increased pulse ,increase respiratory rates,
aches , pain and tenderness ,fatigue and loss of energy, loss of appetite ,nausea, vomiting
diarrhea ,rash ,sores on mucous membranes ,redness and swelling of a body part, discharge or
drainage from an infected area that may have a foul order ,new or increased cough, sore throat
, or runny nose or stuffy nose ,burning pain when urinating or the need to urinate more often or
with increased urgency ,and behavioral changes for older adults . signs and symptoms of an
infection for an older adult is usually only noticed by a change in behavior those would be a new
or increased confusion or delirium ,new or increased incontinence, loss of an appetite,
decreased ability to perform daily activities, falls and changes in mood
Fall prevention - ANSWER-Most falls that happen In facility happen between the hours of 6 PM
and 9 PM, have been in bathrooms and bedrooms and on the stairs , and during shift change
Proper body alignment - ANSWER-is the way the body parts head, trunk , arms and legs are
positioned in relation to one another. for good posture and standing the head and neck are
direct and straight shoulders and hips are parallel to each other ,shoulders or back ,chest is out
and the spine maintains a natural lumbar curve ,the stomach is tucked in ,in the pelvis is tilted
in, knees are slightly flexed ,arms are hanging comfortably at the sides, feet are about shoulder
width apart , toes are pointed forward
,2|Page
transferring from bed to chair - ANSWER-Help the client to the edge of the bed dangling the
legs, make sure the clients feet touch the floor, use a transfer belt if one is available place
around client ,have the client push on the bed and stand on the count of three ,pivot the client
toward The chair and have the client reach for the far arm of the chair ,brace your knees against
the clients knees or feet so they don't fall, and then have them sit when they reach the chair
Bones that weight bear are called - ANSWER-long bones
Turning the Immobile patient frequency - ANSWER-you should always turn a patient every 2 to 4
hours as stated in the clients care plan
Shearing - ANSWER-shearing of the skin tissue caused when the skin sticks to the surface and
the deeper tissues move downward exerting pressure on the skin
Friction - ANSWER-resistance at the skin and counters when it rubs against another surface such
as clothing bedding or another fold of skin
Posture - ANSWER-also known as body alignment the way in which the body parts are
positioned in relation to one another
Muscle atrophy - ANSWER-an decrease in size or wasting away of the muscle
Contractures - ANSWER-the lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle
Alignment - ANSWER-the way things are placed by one another
Flexion - ANSWER-bending of a body part
,3|Page
Abduction - ANSWER-movement of a body part away from the midline of the body
Adduction - ANSWER-movement of the body part toward the midline of the body
cycle of abuse - ANSWER-The cycle of abuse there for three phrases in the cycle
Phrase 1 the tension building — for the tension starts to build between the abuser and the
victim
phase 2 the abusive phase — tension explodes into the abusive event
phase 3 the honeymoon phase — the abuser feels ashamed or sorry he apologizes and
promises never to do it again, he offers gifts or may be very loving and attentive this stage the
abuser and the victims may both believe that the abuser can change
role as a support worker around abuse - ANSWER-you are responsible for recognizing the signs
of abuse but know that not all signs mean that the abuse has occurred, but the signs might be
that abuse is possible ,and remember you were not qualified to judge or that your client is being
abused , know your employers procedures on reporting observations or suspicions, and always
report to your supervisor when you have a suspicion they will then investigate the situation
Nutrition - ANSWER-the processes involved in ingestion, digestion, absorption, and the use of
food and fluids by the body
Fluid requirements - ANSWER-normal fluid is 1500 mL of water daily to survive ,about 2000 to
2500ml of fluid per day is needed for normal fluid balance
Nutrition Canada's food guide - ANSWER-The Canada's food guide always changes right now it
sits at fruits and vegetables ,proteins foods ,and whole-grain foods ,your plate should consist of
50% of fruits and vegetables 25 % of protein foods and 25% of whole grains . suggest eating
more protein foods from plant-based rather than animal
, 4|Page
Aphasia - ANSWER-partial or complete loss of speech and language skills caused by brain injury
Dysphasia - ANSWER-difficulty swallowing
Paraplegia - ANSWER-paralysis from the waist down
Quadriplegia - ANSWER-paralysis of all four limbs and trunk paralysis from the neck down
How to properly feed and PSW considerations - ANSWER-Always use spoons not forks ,sit facing
the client so that you can see any signs of choking or problems with eating ,chewing and
swallowing ,attempt to stimulate the client by gently stroking the cheek, and addressing the
client by name ,assist them before they go to the dining room with oral hygiene, elimination and
hand washing, change clothing for comfort, provide and make sure dentures ,eye glasses and
hearing aids are in place , and have them sit in a comfortable position when eating
Changes in older adults that occur with ageing - ANSWER-normal ageing does not mean loss of
health , Physical changes that occur during the ageing process to the nerve nervous system
,circulatory system ,respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive systems
,muscular skeletal system, and integumentary system
Bathing nursing considerations - ANSWER-Nursing considerations for bathing are follow
standard practices, make sure the temperature of the water is between 43.3 and 46.1, provide
privacy ,look for observations of the skin ,always pat skin dry, pay extra attention to under the
breast between the skin folds ,the Peri area ,in between fingers and toes for drying ,properly
use good body mechanics, encourage the client to help as much as possible, always wash from
the cleanest to the dirtiest
oral care nursing considerations - ANSWER-Nursing considerations for brushing teeth for oral
care provide comfort ,always wear gloves ,brush teeth twice a day, gentle strokes, use
mouthwash ,small amounts of toothpaste ,look for dry, cracked and swollen lips, bleeding and
swelling of the gums, pain and discomfort
NACC PSW (PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER) EXAM PACKAGE
INCLUDING PRACTICE EXAM AND STUDY GUIDE WITH
ACCURATE, VERIFIED ANSWERS. COVERS PATIENT CARE,
COMMUNICATION, SAFETY, INFECTION CONTROL, AND
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
PPE and standard precaution - ANSWER-PPE personal protective equipment is special clothing
and equipment that act as a barrier between microbes and your hands, eyes , nose , mouth and
clothing, PPE equipment are gloves, gowns, masks and Eye protection you should always follow
a standard practices when using them hand hygiene, gloves, masks, and Eye protection and the
care of equipment
Signs of an infection - ANSWER-fever and chills ,increased pulse ,increase respiratory rates,
aches , pain and tenderness ,fatigue and loss of energy, loss of appetite ,nausea, vomiting
diarrhea ,rash ,sores on mucous membranes ,redness and swelling of a body part, discharge or
drainage from an infected area that may have a foul order ,new or increased cough, sore throat
, or runny nose or stuffy nose ,burning pain when urinating or the need to urinate more often or
with increased urgency ,and behavioral changes for older adults . signs and symptoms of an
infection for an older adult is usually only noticed by a change in behavior those would be a new
or increased confusion or delirium ,new or increased incontinence, loss of an appetite,
decreased ability to perform daily activities, falls and changes in mood
Fall prevention - ANSWER-Most falls that happen In facility happen between the hours of 6 PM
and 9 PM, have been in bathrooms and bedrooms and on the stairs , and during shift change
Proper body alignment - ANSWER-is the way the body parts head, trunk , arms and legs are
positioned in relation to one another. for good posture and standing the head and neck are
direct and straight shoulders and hips are parallel to each other ,shoulders or back ,chest is out
and the spine maintains a natural lumbar curve ,the stomach is tucked in ,in the pelvis is tilted
in, knees are slightly flexed ,arms are hanging comfortably at the sides, feet are about shoulder
width apart , toes are pointed forward
,2|Page
transferring from bed to chair - ANSWER-Help the client to the edge of the bed dangling the
legs, make sure the clients feet touch the floor, use a transfer belt if one is available place
around client ,have the client push on the bed and stand on the count of three ,pivot the client
toward The chair and have the client reach for the far arm of the chair ,brace your knees against
the clients knees or feet so they don't fall, and then have them sit when they reach the chair
Bones that weight bear are called - ANSWER-long bones
Turning the Immobile patient frequency - ANSWER-you should always turn a patient every 2 to 4
hours as stated in the clients care plan
Shearing - ANSWER-shearing of the skin tissue caused when the skin sticks to the surface and
the deeper tissues move downward exerting pressure on the skin
Friction - ANSWER-resistance at the skin and counters when it rubs against another surface such
as clothing bedding or another fold of skin
Posture - ANSWER-also known as body alignment the way in which the body parts are
positioned in relation to one another
Muscle atrophy - ANSWER-an decrease in size or wasting away of the muscle
Contractures - ANSWER-the lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle
Alignment - ANSWER-the way things are placed by one another
Flexion - ANSWER-bending of a body part
,3|Page
Abduction - ANSWER-movement of a body part away from the midline of the body
Adduction - ANSWER-movement of the body part toward the midline of the body
cycle of abuse - ANSWER-The cycle of abuse there for three phrases in the cycle
Phrase 1 the tension building — for the tension starts to build between the abuser and the
victim
phase 2 the abusive phase — tension explodes into the abusive event
phase 3 the honeymoon phase — the abuser feels ashamed or sorry he apologizes and
promises never to do it again, he offers gifts or may be very loving and attentive this stage the
abuser and the victims may both believe that the abuser can change
role as a support worker around abuse - ANSWER-you are responsible for recognizing the signs
of abuse but know that not all signs mean that the abuse has occurred, but the signs might be
that abuse is possible ,and remember you were not qualified to judge or that your client is being
abused , know your employers procedures on reporting observations or suspicions, and always
report to your supervisor when you have a suspicion they will then investigate the situation
Nutrition - ANSWER-the processes involved in ingestion, digestion, absorption, and the use of
food and fluids by the body
Fluid requirements - ANSWER-normal fluid is 1500 mL of water daily to survive ,about 2000 to
2500ml of fluid per day is needed for normal fluid balance
Nutrition Canada's food guide - ANSWER-The Canada's food guide always changes right now it
sits at fruits and vegetables ,proteins foods ,and whole-grain foods ,your plate should consist of
50% of fruits and vegetables 25 % of protein foods and 25% of whole grains . suggest eating
more protein foods from plant-based rather than animal
, 4|Page
Aphasia - ANSWER-partial or complete loss of speech and language skills caused by brain injury
Dysphasia - ANSWER-difficulty swallowing
Paraplegia - ANSWER-paralysis from the waist down
Quadriplegia - ANSWER-paralysis of all four limbs and trunk paralysis from the neck down
How to properly feed and PSW considerations - ANSWER-Always use spoons not forks ,sit facing
the client so that you can see any signs of choking or problems with eating ,chewing and
swallowing ,attempt to stimulate the client by gently stroking the cheek, and addressing the
client by name ,assist them before they go to the dining room with oral hygiene, elimination and
hand washing, change clothing for comfort, provide and make sure dentures ,eye glasses and
hearing aids are in place , and have them sit in a comfortable position when eating
Changes in older adults that occur with ageing - ANSWER-normal ageing does not mean loss of
health , Physical changes that occur during the ageing process to the nerve nervous system
,circulatory system ,respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive systems
,muscular skeletal system, and integumentary system
Bathing nursing considerations - ANSWER-Nursing considerations for bathing are follow
standard practices, make sure the temperature of the water is between 43.3 and 46.1, provide
privacy ,look for observations of the skin ,always pat skin dry, pay extra attention to under the
breast between the skin folds ,the Peri area ,in between fingers and toes for drying ,properly
use good body mechanics, encourage the client to help as much as possible, always wash from
the cleanest to the dirtiest
oral care nursing considerations - ANSWER-Nursing considerations for brushing teeth for oral
care provide comfort ,always wear gloves ,brush teeth twice a day, gentle strokes, use
mouthwash ,small amounts of toothpaste ,look for dry, cracked and swollen lips, bleeding and
swelling of the gums, pain and discomfort
