HCA Washington Skills Exam
Handwashing - (correct Answer) - 1. Ensure all needed items are within reach to prevent contamination
2. Remove wristwatches or push watches and long uniform sleeves up four to five inches
3. Stand away from the sink to prevent clothing contamination
4. Do not touch any surface of the sink basin throughout the task
5. Turn on water to comfortable temp
6. Wet hands and wrists, keeping hands pointed toward bottom of the skin
7. Apply soap
8. Rub all surfaces of the wrists, hands, and fingers for 20 seconds
9. Rise all surfaces of wrists, hands and fingers, ensuring water flows from wrists to fingertips
10. Dry wrists, hands, and fingers, ensuring hands remain pointed toward the bottom of the sink
11. Discard used paper towel
12. Turn off faucet with fresh paper towel
SWIPES - (correct Answer) - 1. Supplies: Gather supplies needed for care or task before starting
2. Wash: Wash your hands before any contact with the client
3. Identify: Identify yourself by telling the client your name and verifying your client's name
4. Privacy: Provide privacy throughout care with a curtain, screen, or door
5. Explain: Explain what you are going to do with the client
6. Scan: Scan the area to be sure everything is back in place after care
Common Care Practices - (correct Answer) - 1. identify self to the client when beginning care
2. use infection control measures and Standard Precautions to protect the client and the HCA throughout
procedure
3. promote client's social and human needs throughout procedure
, 4. promote client's rights throughout procedure
5. promote client's safety throughout procedure
6. promote client's comfort throughout procedure
7. leave common use items within client's reach at end of care (e.g., phone, glasses, remote, tissues,
glass of water)
Transfer to chair or wheelchair with/without gait belt - (correct Answer) - 1. Knock on door
2. SWIPES
3. Put on gloves if risk of blood or bodily fluids exists
4. Position chair/wheelchair close to bed with arm of the wheelchair almost touching bed
5. Fold up or remove footrests
6. Lock wheels of wheel chair
7. If client is not in a sitting position, assist client to roll toward the side of bed (bend knees, support on
side under shoulder)
8. Assist client to sitting position on side of bed, making sure to support client's back and hips, keeping
the feet flat on the floor and knees at a 90-degree angle
9. Put on appropriate non-skid footwear
10. Stand in front of and facing person. Explain what you are going to do
11. Transfer w gait belt: place gait belt around client's wait, ensuring snug fit. Grasp gait belt on both
sides of the client
12. Transfer without gait belt: place arms around client's torso under client's arms
13. Brace the person's lower extremities by straddling the weaker leg
14. Tell the client to rock forward on count of three and use arms to push off bed into standing position
15. Count to three and assist to standing position
16. Pivot person in front of wheel chair so back of legs touch the seat of chair
17. Prompt the client to reach back to armrests
18. Assist client into wheelchair by flexing your knees and lowering client into chair
Handwashing - (correct Answer) - 1. Ensure all needed items are within reach to prevent contamination
2. Remove wristwatches or push watches and long uniform sleeves up four to five inches
3. Stand away from the sink to prevent clothing contamination
4. Do not touch any surface of the sink basin throughout the task
5. Turn on water to comfortable temp
6. Wet hands and wrists, keeping hands pointed toward bottom of the skin
7. Apply soap
8. Rub all surfaces of the wrists, hands, and fingers for 20 seconds
9. Rise all surfaces of wrists, hands and fingers, ensuring water flows from wrists to fingertips
10. Dry wrists, hands, and fingers, ensuring hands remain pointed toward the bottom of the sink
11. Discard used paper towel
12. Turn off faucet with fresh paper towel
SWIPES - (correct Answer) - 1. Supplies: Gather supplies needed for care or task before starting
2. Wash: Wash your hands before any contact with the client
3. Identify: Identify yourself by telling the client your name and verifying your client's name
4. Privacy: Provide privacy throughout care with a curtain, screen, or door
5. Explain: Explain what you are going to do with the client
6. Scan: Scan the area to be sure everything is back in place after care
Common Care Practices - (correct Answer) - 1. identify self to the client when beginning care
2. use infection control measures and Standard Precautions to protect the client and the HCA throughout
procedure
3. promote client's social and human needs throughout procedure
, 4. promote client's rights throughout procedure
5. promote client's safety throughout procedure
6. promote client's comfort throughout procedure
7. leave common use items within client's reach at end of care (e.g., phone, glasses, remote, tissues,
glass of water)
Transfer to chair or wheelchair with/without gait belt - (correct Answer) - 1. Knock on door
2. SWIPES
3. Put on gloves if risk of blood or bodily fluids exists
4. Position chair/wheelchair close to bed with arm of the wheelchair almost touching bed
5. Fold up or remove footrests
6. Lock wheels of wheel chair
7. If client is not in a sitting position, assist client to roll toward the side of bed (bend knees, support on
side under shoulder)
8. Assist client to sitting position on side of bed, making sure to support client's back and hips, keeping
the feet flat on the floor and knees at a 90-degree angle
9. Put on appropriate non-skid footwear
10. Stand in front of and facing person. Explain what you are going to do
11. Transfer w gait belt: place gait belt around client's wait, ensuring snug fit. Grasp gait belt on both
sides of the client
12. Transfer without gait belt: place arms around client's torso under client's arms
13. Brace the person's lower extremities by straddling the weaker leg
14. Tell the client to rock forward on count of three and use arms to push off bed into standing position
15. Count to three and assist to standing position
16. Pivot person in front of wheel chair so back of legs touch the seat of chair
17. Prompt the client to reach back to armrests
18. Assist client into wheelchair by flexing your knees and lowering client into chair
