PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MATERIALS
NHA CPCT Certified Patient
Care Technician Exam
95+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 98 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document covers patient care technician-related topics, including laboratory
procedures (e.g., tube additives, needle gauge), medical terminology (e.g., triage,
winged infusion sets), and pharmacology (e.g., medication classes, side effects). The
NHA CPCT Certified Patient Care Technician Exam document provides comprehensive
study materials, featuring 98 questions with correct answers and detailed explanations,
allowing students to review and understand key concepts for exam preparation. This
resource enables students to reinforce their knowledge and identify areas for further
study, ultimately enhancing their exam readiness.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1.
The lavender-topped tube contains:
a. No additive
b. SPS
c. Na+ citrate
d. EDTA
, CORRECT ANSWER
d. EDTA
RATIONALE
EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is a chelating agent that prevents blood clotting
by binding to calcium ions, which is crucial for coagulation. In a lavender-topped tube,
EDTA is typically used as an anticoagulant to prevent clotting and preserve the blood
sample for laboratory testing.
Q2.
The additive in a gray-topped tube is:
a. K+ oxalate
b. Na+ citrate
c. EDTA
d. None of the above
CORRECT ANSWER
a. K+ oxalate
RATIONALE
Gray-topped tubes are typically used for blood glucose testing, where the additive needs
to preserve the glucose level by preventing glycolysis. The potassium oxalate (K+ oxalate)
additive inhibits glycolysis by chelating calcium ions, which are essential for the glycolytic
pathway, thereby maintaining accurate glucose readings.
Q3.
Which of the needle has the largest gauge?
a. 16 g
b. 20 g
c. 21 g
d. 25 g
, CORRECT ANSWER
a. 16 g
RATIONALE
The gauge of a needle is inversely related to its diameter, meaning that a lower gauge
number corresponds to a larger diameter and vice versa. Therefore, among the given
options, the needle with the lowest gauge number, 16 g, would have the largest diameter
and be the one with the largest gauge.
Q4.
Which of the following gauge needle is used for the typical adult venipuncture?
a. 23 g
b. 16 g
c. 21 g
d. 25 g
CORRECT ANSWER
c. 21 g
RATIONALE
The correct gauge needle is chosen based on the balance between minimizing pain and
bleeding risk during the venipuncture procedure, and a smaller gauge needle indicates a
larger diameter, which allows for easier blood flow and reduced discomfort. A 21 g needle is
commonly used for typical adult venipuncture due to its optimal balance between these
factors, providing a sufficient blood flow rate while minimizing discomfort and bleeding
risk.
Q5.
The venipuncture equipment that consists of a needle attached to a plastic tubing is
known as:
a. Syringe
, b. Evacuated tube
c. Winged infusion set
d. Micro-collection container
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Winged infusion set
RATIONALE
A winged infusion set is a type of venipuncture equipment that consists of a needle
attached to a plastic tubing, also known as a winged or butterfly needle, which allows for
easier insertion and stabilization of the needle during infusion procedures. This specific
design enables healthcare professionals to secure the needle in place, facilitating the
delivery of fluids or medications into a patient's vein.
Q6.
All of the following are true about winged infusion sets EXCEPT:
a. Commonly referred to as a butterfly
b. Comes in needles sizes of 16g and 18g
c. Used on fragile veins
d. Preferred over a syringe
CORRECT ANSWER
b. Comes in needles sizes of 16g and 18g
RATIONALE
This option is the correct answer because it states a specific characteristic of winged
infusion sets, whereas the question is asking for a statement that is not true. Option b
presents a generalization that may not be accurate, but without more information, the best
answer to the question would be an option that clearly contradicts known facts about
winged infusion sets.
Q7.
NHA CPCT Certified Patient
Care Technician Exam
95+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 98 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document covers patient care technician-related topics, including laboratory
procedures (e.g., tube additives, needle gauge), medical terminology (e.g., triage,
winged infusion sets), and pharmacology (e.g., medication classes, side effects). The
NHA CPCT Certified Patient Care Technician Exam document provides comprehensive
study materials, featuring 98 questions with correct answers and detailed explanations,
allowing students to review and understand key concepts for exam preparation. This
resource enables students to reinforce their knowledge and identify areas for further
study, ultimately enhancing their exam readiness.
EXAM QUESTIONS
Q1.
The lavender-topped tube contains:
a. No additive
b. SPS
c. Na+ citrate
d. EDTA
, CORRECT ANSWER
d. EDTA
RATIONALE
EDTA, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is a chelating agent that prevents blood clotting
by binding to calcium ions, which is crucial for coagulation. In a lavender-topped tube,
EDTA is typically used as an anticoagulant to prevent clotting and preserve the blood
sample for laboratory testing.
Q2.
The additive in a gray-topped tube is:
a. K+ oxalate
b. Na+ citrate
c. EDTA
d. None of the above
CORRECT ANSWER
a. K+ oxalate
RATIONALE
Gray-topped tubes are typically used for blood glucose testing, where the additive needs
to preserve the glucose level by preventing glycolysis. The potassium oxalate (K+ oxalate)
additive inhibits glycolysis by chelating calcium ions, which are essential for the glycolytic
pathway, thereby maintaining accurate glucose readings.
Q3.
Which of the needle has the largest gauge?
a. 16 g
b. 20 g
c. 21 g
d. 25 g
, CORRECT ANSWER
a. 16 g
RATIONALE
The gauge of a needle is inversely related to its diameter, meaning that a lower gauge
number corresponds to a larger diameter and vice versa. Therefore, among the given
options, the needle with the lowest gauge number, 16 g, would have the largest diameter
and be the one with the largest gauge.
Q4.
Which of the following gauge needle is used for the typical adult venipuncture?
a. 23 g
b. 16 g
c. 21 g
d. 25 g
CORRECT ANSWER
c. 21 g
RATIONALE
The correct gauge needle is chosen based on the balance between minimizing pain and
bleeding risk during the venipuncture procedure, and a smaller gauge needle indicates a
larger diameter, which allows for easier blood flow and reduced discomfort. A 21 g needle is
commonly used for typical adult venipuncture due to its optimal balance between these
factors, providing a sufficient blood flow rate while minimizing discomfort and bleeding
risk.
Q5.
The venipuncture equipment that consists of a needle attached to a plastic tubing is
known as:
a. Syringe
, b. Evacuated tube
c. Winged infusion set
d. Micro-collection container
CORRECT ANSWER
c. Winged infusion set
RATIONALE
A winged infusion set is a type of venipuncture equipment that consists of a needle
attached to a plastic tubing, also known as a winged or butterfly needle, which allows for
easier insertion and stabilization of the needle during infusion procedures. This specific
design enables healthcare professionals to secure the needle in place, facilitating the
delivery of fluids or medications into a patient's vein.
Q6.
All of the following are true about winged infusion sets EXCEPT:
a. Commonly referred to as a butterfly
b. Comes in needles sizes of 16g and 18g
c. Used on fragile veins
d. Preferred over a syringe
CORRECT ANSWER
b. Comes in needles sizes of 16g and 18g
RATIONALE
This option is the correct answer because it states a specific characteristic of winged
infusion sets, whereas the question is asking for a statement that is not true. Option b
presents a generalization that may not be accurate, but without more information, the best
answer to the question would be an option that clearly contradicts known facts about
winged infusion sets.
Q7.
