COMPETENCY TEST FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS

The purpose of this test is to enable Edwards Direct Home Care Agency to determine your competency to perform Direct Care Worker duties. It is NOT a Direct Care Worker certification tool. It will be used by the Agency as one of the factors to assess your suitability for employment or continued employment with this Agency as a Care Aide. To pass this test, you will need to score at least 80% or correctly answer 40 of the 50 questions. Good Luck!

Name*

Date*

Date

1. Which of the following activities is a Direct Care Worker permitted to perform?*

take telephone orders from a doctorassist client with transferring, repositioning, and walkinggive medicationsperform procedures that require sterile techniques

2. When documenting information in a client's file, which of the following is correct?*

chart procedures before they are completedcross out incorrect information and initital the correctionuse an eraser for corrections to keep notations neatdocument an observation that a Team Member saw

3. A client's risk of injury can be reduced by:*

decreased visionuse of medicationdecreased awarenesswearing anti-slip foot-ware

4. When applying a transfer belt onto a client, a DCW should:*

have the client stand up firstapply the belt directly over the clients's clothingplace the belt around the client's chestensure the belt is tight, even if it makes breathing difficult

5. Which of the following is considered a "healthy" type of grief for a dying client to experience?*

complicated griefanticipatory griefunresolved griefinhibited grief

6. A client asks to read a Direct Care Worker notes after she has written them. What should a Care Aide do?*

Advise him the notes are only for the agency workers who are involved in his care.Advise him the notes are only to be viewed by agency & community resources involved in his careAdvise him that she and the supervise are the only ones permitted to see the notes.Allow him to read the notes

7. Which would a Direct Care Worker not do when trying to get a senior to eat properly?*

serve three large meals a dayserve snacks between mealsflavor the food with herbs and spicesserve food which the senior enjoys

8. Which of the following is a safe way to handle food?*

Thaw food in the refrigeratorEnsure meat is cooked enough by smelling itUse the same cutting board for meat & vegetablesLeave cooked food out of refrigerator overnight

9. Which of the following does not cause Urinary Incontinence?*

Underwear that is too tightUrinary Tract InfectionCertain Medicationsconditions of nervous system

10. Constipation may be caused by:*

too much fiber in a diettoo little fiber in a dietdrinking too much watercertain medications

11. What does a DCW not usually document after observing a stool specimen?*

amount in each bowel movementcolor of fecesconsistency & shape of fecestemperature of feces

12. Immobility can cause several problems for a client. Which of the following is an emotional consequence of immobility?*

depressiondeliriumdiversiondementia

13. When caring for clients with indwelling catheters, a Direct Care Worker does not*

Ensure urine is draining freely into the drainage bagTape catheter to the inside of the thighClean catheter and give peri-care weeklyDocument the color & amount of urine in collection bag

14. When assisting a client with his medication a DCW does not?*

Loosen or remove container lidsCount out the required number of tablets & give them to clientWatch client while he pours medication into spoon/hand or cupBring pre-filled syringes to client, according to the care plan

15. An example of blood-borne disease is:*

Hepatitis BMumpsPneumoniaMeasles

16. A DCW is with a client who starts to fall. The DCW should:*

Try to stop the fall by grabbing hold of his armsAllow him to fall and hope he lands safelyEase him gently to the floor, as the Direct Care Worker bends her knees and straightens backLower him slowly to the floor, as DCW leans over from the waist

17. A Direct Care Worker is caring for a bed-ridden client who needs to be turned often. Since she is working alone, the DCW should NOT*

Adjust the height of the bed to avoid reaching, twisting or bendingLower bed rails on both sides of the bedEnsure turning sheet is under the clientMove him in several small movements instead of one motion

18. When dressing a client with an injured arm, a DCW should*

Decide what the client should wearPut clothing on the injured arm firstPut clothing on the uninjured arm firstDress him herself so dressing does not take so long

19. To be an active and effective Team Member a Direct Care Worker would not:*

provide input and offer opinionstry to solve problemsconsult with other team membersbe unwilling to compromise

20. When handling household waste, which of the following is not correct:*

Place soiled bandages/disposable gloves directly into waste containers.Keep wastes in separate packaging during collection, storage, and transportation.Sort all wastes into correct categories at the spot where they are produced.Wash hands for 15 seconds with soap and water after contact with waste.

21. Which of the following confidentiality practices is not ok?*

The client's personal information may be shared with others if the client consents.The client's personal information may be shared with another DCW who is not involved with his care.The personal information of clients should be kept secure and private.The client's personal information should only be used for the purpose in which it is intended.

22. When bathing a client, which of the following activities would a DCW not do?*

Ensure privacy and water is at comfortable temperatureWash from the cleanest area to the dirtiest areaWash from the dirtiest area to the cleanest areaUse soap first, followed by a thorough rinsing

23. A client is reaching to his illness by turning away from others. A Direct Care Worker can help him through this withdrawal reaction by:*

Avoiding the client and allowing him to be alonescheduling family activities along with care and rest periodsmaking decisions for him so he does not have to botherignoring his being undressed and disheveled appearance

24. What is the most effective way to prevent a client's skin from breaking down and decubitus ulcers from forming?*

change his position every 2 hourschange his position every 4 hoursallow knees to remain in contact with each otherallow his body to rest directly on the mattress

25. A client's Care Plan states he is to do his range-of-motion exercises. At what times during the day should these exercises be schedules?*

10:00am; 2:00pm; 6:00pm & 10:00pm10:00am & 3:30pm9:00am10:00am; 2:00pm & 7:00pm

26. Several measures can be used to determine if a non-verbal client is experiencing pain or discomfort. Which of the following behaviors does not suggest pain?*

holding the affected body partmaintaining one position and refusing to moverestlessness, irritability, moaningconstant coughing

27. A Direct Care Worker finds her frail client wedged between the wall and his wheel-less bed. He is unresponsive. What should the DCW do?*

Call for assistance.Try to move the bed away from the wall.Grab hold of his body and try to pull him out.Place a blanket over him.

28. A client comes from a culture that believes bathing should only be done weekly. He is incontinent of both stool and urine and should be bathed daily. How should a Direct Care Worker handle this situation?*

Bathe him daily, or more frequently, to deal with the incontinency.Bathe him weekly, as he requests.Suggest wash only "dirty areas", as needed between regular weekly bathAdvise him to obtain another Direct Care Worker

29. Which of the following would a Direct Care Worker not do to prevent transmitting germs?*

Wear masks, eye protection &/or face shields during procedures that are likely to cause splashes.Wash gloves thoroughly before re-using them.Wash hands between tasks ans procedures on the same client.Wash hands after removing her gown.

30. A Direct Care Worker is assisting a client to prepare for an appointment. He insists on wearing his favorite shirt, which is stained and frayed. What should the DCW do?*

Let him wear the shirt.Tell him he can't wear it and remove it from his sight.Phone the supervisor for instructions.Insist the he wear a shirt that she chooses.

31. Which of the following is not an effective listening technique?*

being able to understand gestures, words and behaviorbeing unsympathetic and judgementalbeing a good listenerrecognizing when to stop listening and when to start providing suitable replies.

32. A client hands his Direct Care Worker $25 for "all the little extras" she does for him. What should the DCW do?*

Accept the money but tell him that it is a one time only gift.Thank him for the thought, but do not accept the money.Accept the money and donate it to charity.Do not accept the money

33. Which of the following will help prevent germs from spreading?*

going to work with an undiagnosed rashkeeping immunizations up to datewashing hands thoroughly at the beginning and end of shiftrubbing eyes with hands

34. A Direct Care Worker observes a co-worker sneaking a drink of alcohol while on duty. As a DCW, what should her first step be?*

Notify the supervisorAdvise the co-worker that she saw her take a drinkFollow her company's policy for reporting suspected alcohol abuse.Let other employees know that she saw her consume alcohol.

35. An individual, hired as a companion, is not permitted to:*

Converse and play games with the client.Help client to keep in touch with friends and the outside world.Assist client with range of motion exercisesTransport client to appointments, run errands and shop

36. Which of the following is not one of the vital signs?*

Blood PressureTemperaturePulsePain radiating down left arm

37. Which of the following methods would a Direct Care Worker not use to share information about a client's status with the other members of the Home Care Team?*

progress notestextingshift change reportsfollow-up reports

38. A client asked his Direct Care Worker for the name and phone number of the supervisor so he can complain about another DCW. What should the DCW do?*

Try to find out what his complaint isAdvise him the supervisor is not availableSuggest he wait a day or so to see if he changes his mindGive him the supervisor's name and phone number

39. The basics of good housekeeping do not include:*

overlooking greasy or wet surfaceskeeping work areas neat and orderlymaintaining halls and floors free of slip and trip hazardsremoving waste materials

40. A client starts vomiting while lying in bed. Which of the following would a DCW not do?*

Lay him on his back in a flat positionTurn his head & body over to one side.Place a kidney basin under his chinHelp him rinse out his mouth with water

41. Which of the following signs or symptoms should a Direct Care Worker be alert for is a client is wearing an anti-embolism stocking on one leg?*

lack of feeling or tingling in the leg without the stockinglack of feeling or tingling in the leg wearing the stockingheadaches and/or nauseadifficulty putting weight on the leg not wearing the stocking

42. Which of the following would a Direct Care Worker not do when dealing with a difficult client?*

Change whatever she can with herselfShow an interest in him.Let him know he is the one with the problemFind out why he is having a problem

43. Aphasia often develops after a stroke of brain injury. What would a DCW not do, when trying to communicate with a client who has aphasia?*

Use body language to interpret what he is trying to say.Advise him that she do not understand what he is trying to say.Be patient and give him enough time to try to communicate.Stop trying to figure him out and go on to something else

44. A client is very committed to his religion and likes to discuss his beliefs with his Direct Care Worker. The DCW does not share his beliefs. How should a DCW help him?*

Let him talk about his beliefsLet him talk, then tell him what her religious beliefs areAsk him to change the subject from religionTell him she will not come again if he talks about religion

45. Rehabilitation begins with the prevention of:*

frustration & angerillness & injurybowel & bladder problemscontractures & pressure sores

46. When communication with seniors who have dementia, a DCW should not:*

Speak to them in a normal tone and volume of voiceAsk more than one question at a time.Keep eye contact and smile - avoid frowningTalk while she walks with tose who pace back and forth

47. A doctor phones to report he has ordered a new medication for a client. He states it must be administered as soon as the pharmacy delivers it. The DCW is the only person with the client. There is no family locally & the client is unable to give the medication to himself. What should the Direct Care Worker do?*

Write the order down exactly as the doctor stated it.Give the medication to the client as soon as it is delivered.Put the medication on the counter and leave it for somebody else to do it.Contact the supervisor

48. A person who has an infection may exhibit one or more of a combination of symptoms. Which of the following symptoms does not suggest an infection is present?*

redness & inflammationdischarge & fevernausea , vomitinglow temperature

49. A client is temporary paralyzed from waist down. A Direct Care Worker should provide support with his activities of daily living by:*

Doing all his ADL's for himasking a male nurse to do all his ADL's for himpostponing any of his ADL's until he recoversencouraging him to do as much of his self-care as possible

50. Which of the following statements about used sharp objects is not correct?*

Sharp objects should not be recapped, bent, sheared or brokenSharp objects should be uncapped when they are carried.Sharp objects should be discarded in puncture-proof containersSharp objects should be picked up by mechanical means.

Signature*