Body Changes, Skin and Medications — practice questions

5% of the exam ≈4 real questions 6 free questions here

Five percent: recognizing changes that must be reported, pressure injuries and skin tears, simple dressings, and assisting with medications. The theme is the same throughout: observe, report, and stay inside the aide's role.

Where people lose points

• Aides assist with self-administration: remind, bring the labeled container, observe. The client takes the medicine. No choosing doses, no injections, no hiding pills in food.
• A refused or missed dose is documented and reported, never doubled.
• Stage 1 pressure injury is intact skin with redness that does not fade. On darker skin it may look purple or feel warm or firm.
• Pressure injuries form over bony areas: the tailbone and heels when lying on the back, the hips when lying on the side.
• In older adults, a UTI may show up only as new confusion. Report it.

Questions and answers, explained

All 2 questions above, with the correct answer and why it is correct. Everything here is on body changes, skin and medications.

1. In an older adult, a urinary tract infection may first show up as:

   • ANew confusion or agitationCorrect
   • BImproved appetite and more energy
   • CBetter sleep at night
   • DClearer, paler urine than usual, along with drinking more water during the day

   Why: Older adults often do not have classic burning or fever with a UTI; the first sign may be new confusion, agitation, falls or incontinence. These changes are reported along with any cloudy, dark or foul-smelling urine.

   Reference CDC / NIA on UTIs in older adults

2. For a client with diabetes, what should the aide check when helping with foot care?

   • AOnly the toenail polish color
   • BCuts, blisters, redness or sores, including between the toesCorrect
   • CNothing, since the client can feel problems
   • DWhether the client's shoes match the clothes and are the latest style

   Why: Diabetes can cause nerve damage, so a client may not feel a blister or cut that becomes a serious infection. The aide checks the feet, including between the toes, dries them well, makes sure footwear fits, and reports any problem.

   Reference ADA foot care guidance

Topics inside this domain

• Pressure injuries and skin tears: what HHAs check and report
• Assisting with medications: an HHA's role and limits

Drill other domains

• Role, Responsibilities and Ethics (15%)
• Observation, Vital Signs and Reporting (10%)
• Personal Care and Hygiene (13%)
• Mobility, Transfers and Positioning (9%)
• Nutrition and Fluids (5%)
• Infection Control (7%)

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