Home Health Aide Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of physical abuse?

1. Yelling at a client

2. Pinching a client

3. Ignoring a client

4. Making fun of a client

The correct answer is: Pinching a client

Pinching a client is an example of physical abuse because it involves causing intentional physical harm or discomfort to another person. Physical abuse encompasses actions that result in physical injury or the infliction of pain, and pinching falls squarely within this definition as it involves direct physical contact that can cause distress or damage to the individual's skin or body. In contrast, the other options relate to emotional or psychological abuse. Yelling at a client is verbal abuse, which can be damaging to a person's emotional well-being but does not involve physical harm. Ignoring a client reflects neglect, where a client's needs are overlooked, which can lead to physical or emotional harm over time but does not constitute direct physical abuse. Making fun of a client involves mocking or ridiculing them, which is another form of emotional abuse that can hurt self-esteem and mental health but again does not involve physical violence or injury. Thus, among the options presented, pinching clearly represents an action that directly inflicts physical harm, making it an instance of physical abuse.