Florida Home Health Aide Competency Practice Test

Which task can a home health aide perform without legal issues?

1. Change a sterile dressing

2. Assist with swallowing medications

3. Reinforce a dressing

4. Give a tubal feeding

The correct answer is: Reinforce a dressing

Reinforcing a dressing is a task that a home health aide can perform without legal issues. This activity falls within the scope of practice for home health aides, as it involves modifying or adjusting existing dressings that have already been applied by a licensed medical professional. Reinforcing a dressing does not require the aide to perform invasive procedures or make clinical decisions regarding wound care, making it a safe task within their training and legal boundaries. In contrast, changing a sterile dressing requires specific training and adherence to sterile techniques, which might exceed the qualifications of a home health aide. Similarly, assisting with swallowing medications may raise concerns about medication management and the aide's role in administering drugs, which often involves responsibilities that are reserved for licensed personnel. Giving a tubal feeding involves more complex skills and knowledge of medical interventions that typically require specialized training and supervision, thus falling outside the aide's scope of responsibilities.