Florida Home Health Aide Competency Practice Test

Which of the following actions can a home health aide legally take regarding wound care?

1. Apply a hot pack

2. Reinforce a dressing

3. Change a sterile dressing

4. Give an enema

The correct answer is: Reinforce a dressing

Reinforcing a dressing is a legally permitted action for a home health aide. This task involves adding an additional layer to an existing dressing without removing it, which helps to secure it and maintain the protection over the wound. It is important in wound care to keep the area clean and protected from infection, and reinforcing a dressing allows the aide to support the ongoing treatment effectively, particularly when the wound is healing and does not require complete dressing change. In this context, applying a hot pack may require specific medical training and knowledge regarding the patient's condition, as heat application can vary in appropriateness depending on the nature of the injury or wound. Changing a sterile dressing typically falls under the duties of a nurse or a qualified healthcare professional, as it often requires aseptic technique and a more in-depth understanding of wound care. Similarly, giving an enema usually requires special training and is outside the scope of practice for home health aides, typically being reserved for licensed healthcare providers.