NACC Exam Practice Test Free for PSW Candidates
Quick PSW mock test with instant results. See your strengths and gaps.
Editorial: Review CompletedUpdated Aug 28, 2025
This quiz helps you prepare for the NACC PSW exam with short, realistic scenarios and instant feedback. Build confidence in infection control, ADLs, safety, and ethics, then keep going with our cna practice test free, strengthen care basics with the basic nursing care practice test, or review key checks using nursing assessment questions.
What is the primary role of a Personal Support Worker?
Provide personal care and support to clients
Prescribe medication
Perform surgical procedures
Diagnose medical conditions
A PSW's main responsibility is to assist clients with daily activities and personal care, supporting their comfort and quality of life. They do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatments, which are functions of regulated health professionals. PSWs work under the direction of nurses and other healthcare team members.
Which of the following is considered a basic activity of daily living (ADL)?
Driving a vehicle
Managing finances
Feeding oneself
Attending a social event
ADLs include fundamental self-care tasks like feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting, and mobility. Managing finances and driving are instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) which are more complex. Attending social events is recreational and not classified as an ADL.
Standard precautions in infection control require PSWs to do which of the following?
Use gloves when in contact with bodily fluids
Wear a gown for every client interaction
Apply sterilization techniques to surfaces
Always use a face shield instead of gloves
Standard precautions mandate glove use when touching blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Gowns are used based on risk of splashes, not every interaction. Face shields are for specific exposures and do not replace gloves.
What is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
Gown, mask, goggles/face shield, gloves
Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
Goggles, gloves, gown, mask
The recommended order is gown first, then mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, and finally gloves to prevent contamination. Putting on gloves before gown can lead to contamination of the gown sleeves. Following the sequence maintains proper protection.
Which body mechanic principle reduces back injury risk when lifting a client?
Twist at the waist to pivot
Hold the client as far from your body as possible
Keep legs straight and bend at the waist
Bend at the knees and keep the back straight
Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight keeps the spine aligned and transfers weight to the legs, reducing back strain. Twisting at the waist and holding objects away from the body increases lever arm forces and injury risk. Bringing the load close to the body reduces strain.
Which communication technique is most effective for a client with hearing impairment?
Face the client and speak clearly at a normal volume
Use complex medical jargon
Shout loudly from across the room
Turn away while speaking
Facing the client and enunciating clearly helps them read lips and pick up on facial cues. Shouting can distort sounds and be distressing. Using simple language and ensuring visibility of your face improve understanding.
How often should hand hygiene be performed when providing direct client care?
Before and after every client contact
When hands feel dirty
Once per hour
Only at the start of the shift
Hand hygiene should be performed before and after each client interaction to prevent cross-transmission of pathogens. Relying on hands feeling dirty misses microorganisms that are invisible. Frequent hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection control.
Which vital sign is typically measured by counting respirations?
Temperature
Blood pressure
Respiratory rate
Pulse rate
Respiratory rate is the number of breaths a client takes per minute, counted by observing chest rise and fall. Pulse rate is measured by palpating an artery, blood pressure with a cuff, and temperature with a thermometer. Proper technique ensures accuracy.
Which action demonstrates respect for client privacy?
Inviting multiple staff to observe
Leaving the door open during a bath
Closing the door or curtain before assisting with toileting
Discussing the client's condition in a hallway
Closing doors or curtains protects clients from exposure and upholds dignity. Leaving areas open or discussing confidential details in public violates privacy. PSWs must ensure clients feel secure and respected.
What is the normal range for adult body temperature (oral)?
36.5°C to 37.5°C
35.0°C to 36.0°C
34.0°C to 35.0°C
38.0°C to 39.0°C
Normal oral temperature for adults ranges from 36.5°C to 37.5°C. Values below or above this range can indicate hypothermia or fever. Accurate measurement technique is essential for reliable readings.
Which method is correct for measuring a radial pulse?
Place fingertips over the radial artery at the wrist
Press firmly on the client's neck
Use a stethoscope over the chest
Count audible beats with a microphone
The radial pulse is palpated at the wrist by placing the index and middle finger over the radial artery. Pressing on the neck refers to the carotid pulse, and a stethoscope on the chest is for heart sounds. Direct palpation ensures accurate pulse counting.
Which sign is NOT one of the classic indicators of inflammation?
Heat
Pallor
Redness
Swelling
Inflammation is classically marked by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. Pallor indicates decreased blood flow, not inflammation. Recognizing these signs helps PSWs report changes promptly.
Which is the best way to prevent pressure ulcers in immobile clients?
Restrict fluid intake
Keep the client on one side for extended periods
Reposition the client every two hours
Use cotton sheets only
Frequent repositioning redistributes pressure and reduces risk of skin breakdown. Fluid restriction can lead to dehydration, increasing ulcer risk. Prolonged single position and improper bedding can cause friction and shear.
Which document outlines a client's personal care needs and goals?
Incident report
Care plan
Client bill of rights
Informed consent
A care plan is a written document detailing the client's assessments, needs, goals, and interventions. Informed consent relates to treatment agreements, not care specifics. Client rights outline entitlements, and incident reports record events.
Which term describes the practice of respecting a client's choices and values?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Justice
Autonomy
Autonomy means honoring a client's right to make their own decisions based on personal values. Beneficence and nonmaleficence relate to doing good and avoiding harm, while justice refers to fairness. PSWs support autonomy by offering choices and information.
Which hand hygiene method is preferred if hands are not visibly soiled?
Use an alcohol-based hand rub
Wipe with a dry cloth
Wash with soap and water for 60 seconds
Use hand lotion
Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective, fast, and recommended when hands are not visibly dirty. Soap and water are required for soiled hands or after known exposure to spores. Dry cloths and lotion do not remove pathogens.
When assisting with a bed bath, which area should be washed last?
Hands
Face
Arms
Genital area
The genital area is washed last to prevent contaminating cleaner areas and maintain client dignity. Starting with the face and extremities avoids spreading pathogens. This sequence upholds hygiene standards.
What is the correct angle for inserting an intramuscular injection?
90 degrees
10 degrees
30 degrees
45 degrees
Intramuscular injections are given at 90 degrees to ensure the medication reaches muscle tissue. Subcutaneous injections use 45 degrees or less. Correct angle reduces risk of injecting into unintended tissue.
Which intervention helps prevent urinary tract infections in catheterized clients?
Clamp tubing daily
Raise the drainage bag above bladder level
Maintain a closed drainage system
Allow reflux by looping tubing
A closed drainage system prevents pathogen entry and reduces UTI risk. Elevating the bag above the bladder or looping tubing allows urine backflow. Clamping tubing promotes stasis.
Which scale is used to assess pressure ulcer risk?
Pain Numeric Scale
Glasgow Coma Scale
Braden Scale
Apgar Score
The Braden Scale evaluates sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear to predict pressure ulcer risk. Glasgow Coma Scale assesses consciousness, Apgar is for newborns, and pain scales measure discomfort.
Which behavior illustrates adherence to client confidentiality?
Speaking about clients in public areas
Sharing information on social media
Discussing client details only with the care team
Leaving charts open on a desk
Confidentiality requires sharing health information only with authorized personnel involved in care. Public discussions or social media posts breach privacy. Securing records prevents unauthorized access.
What is the appropriate frequency for checking a client's blood sugar when they are diabetic and asymptomatic?
As ordered by the care plan
Only when symptoms appear
Every hour
Twice weekly
Blood glucose monitoring frequency depends on the individualized care plan developed with the healthcare team. Routine or symptom-driven checks alone may miss trends. Following the plan ensures safe glycemic control.
Which sign indicates potential dehydration in an elderly client?
Excessive tearing
Dry mucous membranes
Bradycardia
Bulging fontanelle
Dry mucous membranes are a hallmark of dehydration due to fluid loss. Bradycardia is less typical, bulging fontanelles relate to infants, and tearing is not a sign of dehydration. PSWs should report dry mouth, decreased urine output, and tachycardia.
What is the best position to reduce aspiration risk during feeding?
Trendelenburg position
Supine flat
Upright at 90 degrees
Side-lying with head tilted down
An upright 90-degree position allows gravity to help swallow safely and reduces aspiration risk. Supine or Trendelenburg positions increase the likelihood of material entering the airway. Side-lying with head flexed down also impedes safe swallowing.
Which legal concept ensures clients give permission before care is provided?
Negligence
Informed consent
Liability
Accountability
Informed consent means the client understands the nature, benefits, and risks of interventions before agreeing. Accountability refers to professional responsibility, liability to legal responsibility, and negligence to failure to meet standards. PSWs must obtain consent for personal care.
Which tool assesses a client's risk for falls?
Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Morse Fall Scale
Mini-Mental State Exam
The Morse Fall Scale identifies factors like history of falls, gait, and mental status to predict fall risk. The MMSE assesses cognitive function, Edinburgh is for postpartum depression, and Tinetti measures gait but is less widely used for routine fall risk.
Which nutrient is essential for wound healing?
Protein
Simple sugars
Trans fats
Alcohol
Protein provides amino acids necessary for tissue repair and immune function. Simple sugars and alcohol do not support healing, and trans fats can promote inflammation. Adequate protein intake accelerates wound closure.
Which observation suggests possible skin breakdown at a pressure site?
Non-blanchable redness
Cool, pale area
Dry, flaky skin
Smooth, intact skin
Non-blanchable redness on bony prominences indicates early pressure damage. Smooth skin shows no breakdown, cool pallor can reflect poor circulation, and dryness is not specific to pressure injury. Early detection allows prompt intervention.
Which action should a PSW take if a client refuses care?
Report to family only
Ignore the refusal and proceed
Force care to maintain safety
Respect their decision and document refusal
Clients have the right to refuse care. PSWs must respect autonomy, document the refusal, and inform the supervisor. Forcing or ignoring refusal breaches ethics and legal duty.
What is the primary purpose of a falls risk assessment?
Identify clients at high risk to implement prevention strategies
Evaluate skin integrity
Measure cognitive decline
Assess nutritional status
Falls risk assessments detect factors that increase fall likelihood so targeted prevention (like bed alarms and gait aids) can be applied. While cognitive, nutritional, and skin factors play a role, the primary goal is fall prevention.
Which pathogen requires airborne precautions in addition to standard precautions?
Staphylococcus aureus
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Escherichia coli
Clostridioides difficile
Airborne precautions are required for pathogens transmitted by droplet nuclei under 5 microns, such as M. tuberculosis. E. coli is spread by contact, C. difficile by spore contact, and S. aureus typically by contact or droplet. Proper precautions limit transmission.
When performing sterile dressing change, which step breaks sterile technique?
Opening the package away from you
Allowing the dressing to drop onto the field
Keeping hands above waist level
Reaching across the sterile field
Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it by transferring microorganisms. Opening packages away, keeping hands above waist, and allowing sterile items to drop preserve sterility. Maintaining proper technique prevents infection.
Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing orthostatic hypotension?
Advise rapid standing to build tolerance
Lock the wheelchair brakes while seated
Assist the client to stand slowly and sit if dizzy
Encourage fluid restriction
Gradual position changes reduce blood pooling and allow cardiovascular adjustment. Rapid standing worsens hypotension. Fluid restriction reduces volume and exacerbates symptoms. Locking brakes alone does not address orthostatic changes.
In wound care, what does the acronym RYB stand for?
Red, Yellow, Black
Regenerate, Yellow, Brown
Rinse, Yell, Bleed
Redness, Yield, Braden
RYB categorizes wound tissue: Red (granulation), Yellow (slough), and Black (eschar). This guides treatment focus for cleaning, debridement, and protection. Incorrect expansions do not align with clinical practice.
Which physiological change in older adults affects medication management?
Decreased renal clearance
Increased liver metabolism
Higher distribution volume for water-soluble drugs
Enhanced gastrointestinal absorption
Aging reduces kidney function, slowing drug excretion and raising risk of accumulation. Liver metabolism often decreases, absorption may slow, and distribution of water-soluble drugs decreases. Adjustments prevent toxicity.
Which communication approach is best for a client with expressive aphasia?
Use technical medical terms
Speak rapidly to prompt response
Avoid any nonverbal communication
Use yes/no questions and visual cues
Yes/no questions and visual aids reduce language demands and allow clients to indicate needs. Rapid or technical speech can overwhelm comprehension. Nonverbal communication supports understanding.
Which ethical principle requires PSWs to do no harm?
Nonmaleficence
Justice
Beneficence
Autonomy
Nonmaleficence means avoiding actions that cause harm. Beneficence promotes doing good, autonomy supports self-determination, and justice focuses on fairness. PSWs apply nonmaleficence by practicing safely.
When documenting in the client's record, which entry is acceptable?
Client was lazy and uncooperative
Client unhygienic
Client refused bath; returned in 30 minutes
Client bathed later because staff forgot
Documentation must be factual, objective, and free of personal judgments. Recording refusal and subsequent action is appropriate. Descriptive, nonjudgmental language ensures clarity and professionalism.
Which action by a PSW could constitute negligence?
Failing to report a client's fall immediately
Respecting a client's refusal of care
Documenting all care provided
Assisting a client per care plan
Negligence is breaching a duty of care, such as not reporting a fall promptly. Proper assistance, thorough documentation, and respecting client choices uphold professional standards. Failure to report can lead to harm and legal consequences.
Which sign of hypoglycemia should a PSW recognize?
Bradycardia and weight gain
Sweating and tremors
Dry mouth and thirst
Flushed skin and fever
Hypoglycemia often presents with autonomic symptoms like sweating, tremors, and palpitations. Dry mouth and thirst reflect hyperglycemia. Fever and flushed skin suggest infection, and bradycardia is not typical of low blood sugar.
Which action should be taken first in the event of a client seizure?
Hold the client's arms tightly
Insert an object into the mouth
Clear surrounding area to prevent injury
Offer a drink of water
Safeguarding the client from hard objects reduces injury during a seizure. Inserting objects or restraining limbs can cause harm. Hydration should wait until postictal recovery.
Which factor increases risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Low BMI
High fluid intake
Regular exercise
Prolonged immobility
Extended immobility slows venous return, promoting clot formation. Low BMI and high fluid intake lower DVT risk, and exercise enhances circulation. PSWs encourage movement to reduce DVT incidence.
Which intervention supports emotion-centered coping with terminal illness?
Active listening and presence
Focusing only on physical tasks
Providing unsolicited advice
Ignoring emotional expression
Active listening and being present validates feelings and helps clients process grief. Ignoring emotions or focusing solely on tasks neglects psychosocial needs. Unsolicited advice can feel dismissive.
Which specific contact precautions apply when caring for a client with C. difficile?
No PPE needed beyond standard precautions
Use alcohol hand rub only
Use gown and gloves; soap and water hand wash
Use N95 respirator and goggles
C. difficile spores resist alcohol, so soap and water hand washing is required along with gown and gloves for contact precautions. Alcohol rub is ineffective against spores. Respirators are for airborne agents.
Which parameter best indicates effective tissue perfusion?
Cool peripheral skin
Heart rate of 120 bpm
Respiratory rate of 30/min
Capillary refill under 2 seconds
Capillary refill under 2 seconds suggests adequate peripheral perfusion. Elevated respiratory or heart rates and cool skin may indicate compromise. Monitoring perfusion helps detect shock early.
Which advanced directive gives a designated person authority to make health decisions?
Guardianship order
Living will
Power of attorney for personal care
Do-not-resuscitate order
A power of attorney for personal care appoints someone to make health decisions when the client lacks capacity. A living will states treatment preferences, DNR orders restrict CPR, and guardianship is court-appointed. Knowing directives guides care.
Which measure reduces biofilm formation on indwelling devices?
Neglecting daily care
Intermittent clamping
Regular cleansing with antiseptic solution
Using cotton gauze only
Antiseptic cleansing disrupts biofilm and reduces microbial adherence on devices like catheters. Clamping and cotton gauze do not prevent biofilm. Daily care is essential for infection prevention.
Which advanced assessment tool evaluates pain in nonverbal clients?
McGill Pain Questionnaire
Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool
Visual Analog Scale
Numeric Rating Scale
The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) uses behavioral indicators to assess pain in nonverbal or intubated clients. Visual analog and numeric scales require client verbalization. McGill is descriptive and not suitable for nonverbal.
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Study Outcomes
- Understand Infection Control Principles -
Recall and apply essential protocols from chapter 5 infection control quizlet to prevent infection spread during patient care.
- Apply ADL Care Techniques -
Demonstrate safe and effective methods for assisting with essential ADLs - eating, bathing, dressing, and grooming - to maintain client hygiene and dignity.
- Analyze Caregiving Ethics -
Evaluate real-world scenarios to identify ethical dilemmas in personal support work and select appropriate actions that respect client rights.
- Identify Depression Indicators -
Recognize common causes of depression in the elderly quizlet and early signs of mood changes to enhance client mental wellness monitoring.
- Evaluate Prejudice Statements -
Determine which of the following statements about prejudice is true and apply that understanding to deliver unbiased, respectful care.
- Gauge Exam Readiness with a Mock Service Worker Quiz -
Use this free mock service worker quiz to assess your knowledge across topics and boost confidence before taking the NACC PSW exam.
Cheat Sheet
- Chain of Infection & Infection Control -
When preparing for your mock service worker quiz on chapter 5 infection control quizlet, always remember the six links of the chain of infection using the mnemonic "I PROVE" (Infectious agent, Reservoir, Portal of exit, Mode of transmission, Portal of entry, Susceptible host). Breaking any link - through hand hygiene, proper PPE use, or environmental cleaning - halts pathogen spread, as outlined by CDC guidelines. Confidence in these steps keeps both you and your clients safe.
- Mastering ADLs: Eating, Bathing, Dressing & Grooming -
In PSW practice, eating, bathing, dressing and grooming are the four core activities of daily living (ADLs) that measure independence and guide care plans. Use visual aids like the "ABCD" chart (ADLs, Bathing, Clothing, Daily grooming) to assess abilities quickly and encourage client autonomy. Practicing respectful prompts and offering choices boosts client engagement and dignity.
- Ethical Care & Overcoming Prejudice -
When answering "which of the following statements about prejudice is true," recall that prejudice is a prejudgment without factual basis, often rooted in stereotypes or bias - a key point on caregiving ethics. Apply the four cornerstones of ethics - autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice - using the acronym "ABNJ" to ensure fair, respectful service. Upholding these principles fosters trust and professional integrity in every client interaction.
- Recognizing Depression in the Elderly -
Quiz yourself on common causes of depression in the elderly quizlet - like isolation, chronic illness, and loss of independence - and use the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for standardized screening. Encourage open dialogue by asking gentle, empathic questions and documenting mood changes to inform the care team. Early detection and appropriate referrals can dramatically improve quality of life.
- Safe Patient Handling & Communication -
For safe patient care, master transfer techniques such as the S.L.I. method (Stand, Lift, Instruct pivot) to reduce injury risk, as recommended by ergonomic guidelines from Health and Safety institutions. Complement physical safety with clear handovers using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) to ensure seamless communication between shifts. These best practices boost your confidence and client outcomes in every scenario.
