Home Health Aide Practice Exam

Which of the following tasks is prohibited from the scope of practice for an HHA?

1. Administering medication

2. Prescribing a new medication

3. Assisting with daily living activities

4. Taking vital signs

The correct answer is: Prescribing a new medication

Prescribing a new medication is outside the scope of practice for a Home Health Aide (HHA) because this task requires a medical license and extensive training in pharmacology and patient assessment that HHAs do not possess. The role of an HHA is focused on providing support to clients by assisting with daily living activities, taking vital signs, and providing basic care as directed by a licensed healthcare professional. By contrast, tasks such as administering medication, assisting with daily living activities, and taking vital signs fall within the HHA's training and responsibilities, as those activities are fundamental to supporting patient care without requiring a higher level of medical training. Therefore, prescribing medication is prohibited because it involves critical decision-making about patient treatment that must be handled by qualified healthcare providers.