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Saudi Licensure Exam for Health Assistant (Nursing), SCFHS: free practice test

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Practice test questions with answers and explanations

Try the questions in the test above first, then open each one here to see the correct answer and why every other option is wrong.

01A conscious, oriented patient refuses his morning bath and says he is tired. What is the most appropriate action for the health assistant?

Practice question Unit: Professionalism and Medical Ethics

  1. ARespects his decision, asks why and tells the nurse in charge ✓ Correct answer

    A patient with capacity has the right to refuse care; the reason is explored, the nurse is informed and the refusal is documented.

  2. BKeeps urging him and repeating the request until he agrees to bathe

    Pressing until he agrees is pressure and does not respect his autonomy.

  3. CBathes him with a colleague's help because hygiene is necessary

    Bathing him despite refusal overrides his right to decide.

  4. DLeaves him alone without telling anyone or recording anything in his chart

    Failing to report and record leaves the care team without important information about the patient.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 1: Professionalism and Medical Ethics, p. 2; Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting (Mills & Maly)

02A confused older patient nods 'yes' every time the health assistant calls out a name, and the assistant keeps repeating the name on the request. What is best to confirm his identity?

Practice question Unit: Patient and Environmental Safety

  1. ARepeat the name louder and ask him to nod if it is his

    A confused patient may agree to any name said to him, so a nod is not reliable.

  2. BAsk 'What is your name?' and match it with the wristband ✓ Correct answer

    An open question does not suggest the answer, and matching it with the wristband confirms identity.

  3. CRely on the sign above the bed and compare it with the request

    The bedside sign may belong to a previous patient or be out of date, so it is not enough alone.

  4. DAsk the patient in the next bed what his neighbour is called

    Asking another patient breaches privacy and is not an accepted way to identify someone.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 2: Patient and Environmental Safety, p. 2; Joint Commission International Patient Safety Goals

03A patient has just been told a worrying test result. He goes quiet and looks down. What is the most appropriate action for the health assistant?

Practice question Unit: Professional Communication

  1. AStarts talking about another topic to ease the tension

    Changing the subject is a barrier and tells the patient his feelings do not matter.

  2. BLeaves the room quickly so the patient can be alone

    Leaving quickly abandons the patient at a moment when he needs someone present and ready to listen.

  3. CAsks him several questions in a row about how he feels

    A string of questions pressures the patient and interrupts his moment of reflection.

  4. DStays quietly beside him and gives him time to speak ✓ Correct answer

    Silence is a therapeutic tool: staying calmly gives the patient time and space to gather his thoughts and speak when ready.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 3: Professional Communication, p. 2; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

04A patient has a permanent Colostomy created. What does the suffix -ostomy mean in this term?

Practice question Unit: Medical Terminology

  1. ASurgical removal of the organ

    Removal is shown by -ectomy, and the colon is not removed in a colostomy.

  2. BSurgical cut without a lasting opening

    A cut without a lasting opening is the meaning of -otomy, as in Colotomy.

  3. CCreating a surgical opening ✓ Correct answer

    -ostomy means creating an opening between an organ and the body surface; in a colostomy part of the colon is brought out through the abdominal wall.

  4. DSurgical repair of the organ

    Repair is shown by the suffix -plasty.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 4: Medical Terminology, p. 2; Medical Terminology: An Illustrated Guide (Cohen & DePetris)

05An adult patient's axillary temperature is 36.4 °C. What is the approximate equivalent oral temperature?

Practice question Unit: Patient Care

  1. A35.9 °C

    This is half a degree lower, which applies the correction in the wrong direction.

  2. B36.4 °C

    Axillary and oral readings are not identical; the axillary reading is about half a degree lower.

  3. C37.4 °C

    This is a full degree higher; the difference between the two sites is only about half a degree.

  4. D36.9 °C ✓ Correct answer

    The axillary temperature is about 0.5 °C lower than the oral one, so the oral equivalent is about 36.9 °C.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 5: Patient Care, p. 2; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

06A patient has a peripheral IV catheter in the left arm and needs a bed bath. What is the most appropriate action?

Practice question Unit: Patient Care

  1. ARemoves the catheter temporarily to wash the arm easily

    Removing the catheter is outside the assistant's role and exposes the patient to pain and infection.

  2. BWashes the arm gently without wetting or moving the catheter site, and tells the nurse if the dressing gets wet or moves ✓ Correct answer

    This protects the site from moisture and tension and any problem goes to the nurse, who is responsible for the catheter.

  3. CSoaks the arm in the basin to wash all of it

    Soaking the arm can wet the dressing, bring in germs or shift the catheter.

  4. DSkips washing this arm for the whole stay

    Leaving the arm unwashed deprives the patient of hygiene and is unnecessary when it is washed carefully.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 5: Patient Care, p. 2; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

07A health assistant will use a mechanical lift to move a patient from bed to chair. What is the correct action?

Practice question Unit: Patient Care

  1. AAttach the sling per the device instructions and transfer with a colleague ✓ Correct answer

    Checking the sling attachment per the manufacturer and using at least two staff, per facility policy, is safest for patient and staff.

  2. BBegin lifting at once and adjust the sling while the patient is already rising

    A sling that is not secured properly can slip and the patient may fall.

  3. CCarry out the transfer alone to avoid delay

    Lift transfers normally need two people, and working alone risks a fall.

  4. DRaise the patient as high as possible in the sling before turning

    The patient is lifted only as far as needed since extra height reduces stability.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 5: Patient Care, p. 2; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

08A patient weighs 154 lb. What is his weight in kilograms, given 1 kg = 2.2 lb?

Practice question Unit: Patient Care

  1. A60 kg

    60 × 2.2 equals 132 lb, which is less than the given weight.

  2. B70 kg ✓ Correct answer

    154 ÷ 2.2 equals 70 kg.

  3. C75 kg

    75 × 2.2 equals 165 lb, which is more than the given weight.

  4. D65 kg

    65 × 2.2 equals 143 lb, which is less than the given weight.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 5: Patient Care, p. 2; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

09A patient has diarrhea caused by Clostridioides difficile. The assistant has taken off his gloves after caring for him. What is the best way to clean his hands next?

Practice question Unit: Infection Control

  1. AAlcohol rub for 30 seconds

    Alcohol rub is not effective against spores, however long it is rubbed.

  2. BWashing with soap and water and rubbing ✓ Correct answer

    This organism forms spores that alcohol rub does not kill, and the mechanical action of soap and water removes them.

  3. CAlcohol rub with a stronger concentration of alcohol

    A higher alcohol concentration does not kill spores. The issue is the organism, not the strength.

  4. DRelying on taking the gloves off

    Gloves can leak and hands get contaminated while removing them, so hand hygiene is still needed.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 6: Infection Control, p. 2; WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care

10A patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis is asked for a sputum sample. Where is the sample best collected, and how is the health assistant protected?

Practice question Unit: Assistance in Diagnostic Procedures

  1. AIn a ventilated isolation room or dedicated booth, with an N95 respirator ✓ Correct answer

    TB spreads through the air, so a ventilated isolation space and an N95 respirator are needed for the assistant.

  2. BIn the shared room with other patients, with a surgical mask worn by the assistant

    A shared room exposes other patients, and a surgical mask is not enough for TB.

  3. CIn the corridor near an open window, with no respiratory protection

    A corridor is a public area that protects no one, and leaving the nose and mouth unprotected is risky.

  4. DIn the shared bathroom with the door closed, wearing gloves only

    A shared bathroom contaminates the area and exposes others, and gloves do not protect against airborne spread.

Reference: SCFHS Nursing – Health Assistant Examination Content Guideline (2024), Section 7: Assistance in Diagnostic Procedures, p. 2; CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions; Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed. (Berman, Snyder & Frandsen)

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