Health Care (NSQF Vocational Trade)
The PSEB Matric NSQF Health Care paper tests the vocational trade syllabus: basic anatomy and physiology, first aid, infection control, patient care, vital signs, nutrition, communication, ethics and record keeping. Questions are practical: you must know safe sequences, normal values and what to report, not just definitions.
Core rules and concepts
- Hand hygiene: wash with soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or after body-fluid contact; use alcohol-based rub for routine clean hand hygiene. Clean before and after every patient contact and after removing gloves.
- Adult vital signs at rest: temperature about 36.1–37.2 °C orally; pulse 60–100 beats/min; respiration 12–20 breaths/min; SpO2 95–100% on room air. Report a rising pulse, falling blood pressure or breathing effort that looks abnormal.
- First aid order - DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. For severe bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean pad; add a new pad on top if it soaks through and do not remove the first one. For a burn, cool with running water for about 20 minutes, cover loosely and do not apply ice, toothpaste or oil.
- Patient safety: identify the patient using two identifiers, explain the procedure, seek consent, protect privacy and never leave an unconscious patient unattended. Report any change in condition promptly.
- Documentation: record objective observations, time, action taken and your signature. Avoid blank lines and vague words such as “fine”.
Worked example
An adult patient has a temperature of 38.9 °C, pulse 108/min and respiration 22/min. All three values are above the resting adult ranges, suggesting fever with a raised pulse and breathing rate. The correct response is to inform the nurse or doctor, encourage fluids only if the patient is fully conscious and able to swallow, recheck and record the values, and monitor for drowsiness or breathing difficulty. Do not give medicines on your own or record a diagnosis.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse pulse and respiration counts; count each for a full minute when irregular. Do not take blood pressure immediately after exercise or while the arm is unsupported. Never give oral fluids to an unconscious person, remove an impaled object, or move a suspected spinal-injury casualty unless there is immediate danger. In records, write what you observed, not what you assumed.