Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Competency
Examination ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Georgia
Department of Community Health | Complete
Competency Assessment | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: Personal Care & ADLs — Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Toileting, Mobility (Questions 1-20)]
Q1. When assisting a female client with perineal care during a bed bath, the PCA should clean:
A. From back to front (rectum to urethra)
B. From front to back (urethra to rectum) [CORRECT]
C. In a circular motion starting at the rectum
D. Any direction as long as soap is used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Front to back prevents introducing rectal bacteria into the urethra, reducing UTI risk. Option
A increases infection risk. Options C/D are incorrect technique.
Q2. When dressing a client with left-sided weakness from a stroke, the PCA should apply a button-up
shirt by inserting the:
A. Left arm (affected side) first [CORRECT]
B. Right arm (unaffected side) first
C. Both arms simultaneously
D. Head last
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dress affected side first to allow easier manipulation; undress affected side last. Option B
makes dressing more difficult. Options C/D are impractical.
Q3. When undressing a client with right-sided weakness, the PCA should remove clothing from the:
A. Affected side first
,B. Unaffected (left) side first [CORRECT]
C. Both sides simultaneously
D. Head first always
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Undress unaffected side first to preserve stability while manipulating affected side. Option A
makes undressing more difficult.
Q4. A PCA notices redness on a client's sacrum during a bed bath that does not fade after 30 minutes.
The PCA should:
A. Apply powder to absorb moisture
B. Report to the supervising nurse immediately [CORRECT]
C. Massage the area to increase circulation
D. Ignore it as normal skin variation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Non-blanching redness indicates Stage 1 pressure injury requiring nursing assessment. Option
A/C worsen tissue damage. Option D delays necessary intervention.
Q5. When assisting a client with a bed bath, water temperature should be tested:
A. By the client only
B. On the PCA's inner wrist or elbow [CORRECT]
C. With a thermometer only
D. By visual inspection of steam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inner wrist/elbow is sensitive to temperature, preventing burns. Option A may not detect
unsafe temps. Option C is impractical. Option D is unreliable.
Q6. When shaving a client taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners), the PCA should use:
A. A safety razor with a new blade
B. An electric razor [CORRECT]
C. A straight razor
,D. Depilatory cream
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electric razors reduce cut risk for anticoagulated clients. Options A/C increase bleeding risk.
Option D may irritate skin and is not standard.
Q7. A PCA may trim a client's fingernails but should NOT trim toenails if the client has:
A. Arthritis
B. Diabetes or peripheral vascular disease [CORRECT]
C. Visual impairment
D. Hearing loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes/PVD cause poor healing and infection risk; podiatrist must trim. Options A/C/D are
not contraindications.
Q8. When providing oral hygiene for a client with dentures, the PCA should:
A. Clean dentures while the client is wearing them
B. Remove dentures, brush with denture cleaner, rinse mouth [CORRECT]
C. Use hot water to sterilize dentures
D. Wrap dentures in tissue when not in use
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper denture care requires removal and appropriate cleaner. Option A is ineffective. Option
C warps dentures. Option D risks accidental disposal.
Q9. When emptying a urinary catheter drainage bag, the PCA should:
A. Empty above the level of the bladder
B. Keep the bag below bladder level and avoid touching drain spout to container [CORRECT]
C. Disconnect the catheter from the tubing
D. Empty into the toilet with the bag touching the rim
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Keeping bag below bladder prevents reflux; avoiding spout contact prevents contamination.
Option A causes reflux. Option C is contraindicated. Option D contaminates spout.
Q10. When using a gait belt to assist a client with walking, the PCA should:
A. Place it around the client's waist over clothing [CORRECT]
B. Place it under clothing for comfort
C. Place it around the chest
D. Hold it with one hand only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gait belt over clothing provides secure grip without skin irritation. Option B reduces
effectiveness. Option C is wrong placement. Option D compromises safety.
Q11. For a pivot transfer from bed to wheelchair, the PCA should:
A. Pull the client up by the underarms
B. Position wheelchair at 45-degree angle, lock brakes, assist client to stand and pivot [CORRECT]
C. Have the client hold the PCA's neck for support
D. Perform the transfer alone without explaining steps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper positioning and locked brakes ensure safety; pivot technique protects both client and
PCA. Option A causes shoulder injury. Option C is unsafe. Option D confuses client.
Q12. When using a slide board for transfer, the PCA should:
A. Have the client slide quickly to save time
B. Ensure the board is dry, bridge both surfaces, guide client across [CORRECT]
C. Use the board without explaining the process
D. Lubricate the board with oil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dry board prevents slipping; bridging both surfaces ensures continuous support. Option A is
unsafe. Option C causes anxiety. Option D creates fall hazard.
Q13. When assisting with a bedpan for a female client, the PCA should:
Examination ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Georgia
Department of Community Health | Complete
Competency Assessment | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: Personal Care & ADLs — Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Toileting, Mobility (Questions 1-20)]
Q1. When assisting a female client with perineal care during a bed bath, the PCA should clean:
A. From back to front (rectum to urethra)
B. From front to back (urethra to rectum) [CORRECT]
C. In a circular motion starting at the rectum
D. Any direction as long as soap is used
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Front to back prevents introducing rectal bacteria into the urethra, reducing UTI risk. Option
A increases infection risk. Options C/D are incorrect technique.
Q2. When dressing a client with left-sided weakness from a stroke, the PCA should apply a button-up
shirt by inserting the:
A. Left arm (affected side) first [CORRECT]
B. Right arm (unaffected side) first
C. Both arms simultaneously
D. Head last
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dress affected side first to allow easier manipulation; undress affected side last. Option B
makes dressing more difficult. Options C/D are impractical.
Q3. When undressing a client with right-sided weakness, the PCA should remove clothing from the:
A. Affected side first
,B. Unaffected (left) side first [CORRECT]
C. Both sides simultaneously
D. Head first always
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Undress unaffected side first to preserve stability while manipulating affected side. Option A
makes undressing more difficult.
Q4. A PCA notices redness on a client's sacrum during a bed bath that does not fade after 30 minutes.
The PCA should:
A. Apply powder to absorb moisture
B. Report to the supervising nurse immediately [CORRECT]
C. Massage the area to increase circulation
D. Ignore it as normal skin variation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Non-blanching redness indicates Stage 1 pressure injury requiring nursing assessment. Option
A/C worsen tissue damage. Option D delays necessary intervention.
Q5. When assisting a client with a bed bath, water temperature should be tested:
A. By the client only
B. On the PCA's inner wrist or elbow [CORRECT]
C. With a thermometer only
D. By visual inspection of steam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inner wrist/elbow is sensitive to temperature, preventing burns. Option A may not detect
unsafe temps. Option C is impractical. Option D is unreliable.
Q6. When shaving a client taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners), the PCA should use:
A. A safety razor with a new blade
B. An electric razor [CORRECT]
C. A straight razor
,D. Depilatory cream
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electric razors reduce cut risk for anticoagulated clients. Options A/C increase bleeding risk.
Option D may irritate skin and is not standard.
Q7. A PCA may trim a client's fingernails but should NOT trim toenails if the client has:
A. Arthritis
B. Diabetes or peripheral vascular disease [CORRECT]
C. Visual impairment
D. Hearing loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes/PVD cause poor healing and infection risk; podiatrist must trim. Options A/C/D are
not contraindications.
Q8. When providing oral hygiene for a client with dentures, the PCA should:
A. Clean dentures while the client is wearing them
B. Remove dentures, brush with denture cleaner, rinse mouth [CORRECT]
C. Use hot water to sterilize dentures
D. Wrap dentures in tissue when not in use
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper denture care requires removal and appropriate cleaner. Option A is ineffective. Option
C warps dentures. Option D risks accidental disposal.
Q9. When emptying a urinary catheter drainage bag, the PCA should:
A. Empty above the level of the bladder
B. Keep the bag below bladder level and avoid touching drain spout to container [CORRECT]
C. Disconnect the catheter from the tubing
D. Empty into the toilet with the bag touching the rim
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: Keeping bag below bladder prevents reflux; avoiding spout contact prevents contamination.
Option A causes reflux. Option C is contraindicated. Option D contaminates spout.
Q10. When using a gait belt to assist a client with walking, the PCA should:
A. Place it around the client's waist over clothing [CORRECT]
B. Place it under clothing for comfort
C. Place it around the chest
D. Hold it with one hand only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gait belt over clothing provides secure grip without skin irritation. Option B reduces
effectiveness. Option C is wrong placement. Option D compromises safety.
Q11. For a pivot transfer from bed to wheelchair, the PCA should:
A. Pull the client up by the underarms
B. Position wheelchair at 45-degree angle, lock brakes, assist client to stand and pivot [CORRECT]
C. Have the client hold the PCA's neck for support
D. Perform the transfer alone without explaining steps
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper positioning and locked brakes ensure safety; pivot technique protects both client and
PCA. Option A causes shoulder injury. Option C is unsafe. Option D confuses client.
Q12. When using a slide board for transfer, the PCA should:
A. Have the client slide quickly to save time
B. Ensure the board is dry, bridge both surfaces, guide client across [CORRECT]
C. Use the board without explaining the process
D. Lubricate the board with oil
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dry board prevents slipping; bridging both surfaces ensures continuous support. Option A is
unsafe. Option C causes anxiety. Option D creates fall hazard.
Q13. When assisting with a bedpan for a female client, the PCA should:
