Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certification Practice Exam
| 100 Comprehensive Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales (2026 Edition)
1. Before assisting a patient with eating, the PCT should first:
A. Check the patient’s diet order
B. Serve the food immediately
C. Remove the patient’s IV
D. Give medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Always verify the prescribed diet to ensure patient safety.
2. Which vital sign is considered normal for an adult at rest?
A. 120 bpm
B. 72 bpm
C. 40 bpm
D. 150 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal resting adult heart rate is generally 60–100 bpm.
3. Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to:
A. Improve documentation
B. Prevent infection transmission
C. Increase appetite
D. Reduce blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces healthcare-associated infections.
4. A patient’s normal body temperature is approximately:
,A. 95°F (35°C)
B. 98.6°F (37°C)
C. 101°F (38.3°C)
D. 103°F (39.4°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: Average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
5. The first step in transferring a patient safely is to:
A. Pull the patient quickly
B. Assess the patient’s ability to assist
C. Ask another patient for help
D. Lock only one wheel of the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing mobility helps prevent injuries.
6. Which PPE should be worn when contact with blood is anticipated?
A. Gloves
B. Shoe covers only
C. Hair net only
D. Sunglasses
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves protect against exposure to blood and body fluids.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used during CPR?
A. Pedal
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Temporal
Answer: B
, Rationale: The carotid artery is assessed during adult CPR.
8. A PCT should report which finding immediately?
A. Patient requests water
B. Blood pressure of 82/48 mmHg
C. Patient watching TV
D. Patient sleeping quietly
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension may indicate a medical emergency.
9. Oxygen should only be adjusted by:
A. The patient’s family
B. Authorized healthcare personnel according to facility policy
C. Visitors
D. Housekeeping staff
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen is considered a medication in many healthcare settings.
10. The abbreviation “NPO” means:
A. No physical observation
B. Nothing by mouth
C. New patient order
D. Normal pulse output
Answer: B
Rationale: NPO is from the Latin nil per os.
11. Which position promotes drainage after oral surgery?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Supine
C. Side-lying
| 100 Comprehensive Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales (2026 Edition)
1. Before assisting a patient with eating, the PCT should first:
A. Check the patient’s diet order
B. Serve the food immediately
C. Remove the patient’s IV
D. Give medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Always verify the prescribed diet to ensure patient safety.
2. Which vital sign is considered normal for an adult at rest?
A. 120 bpm
B. 72 bpm
C. 40 bpm
D. 150 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: A normal resting adult heart rate is generally 60–100 bpm.
3. Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to:
A. Improve documentation
B. Prevent infection transmission
C. Increase appetite
D. Reduce blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene significantly reduces healthcare-associated infections.
4. A patient’s normal body temperature is approximately:
,A. 95°F (35°C)
B. 98.6°F (37°C)
C. 101°F (38.3°C)
D. 103°F (39.4°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: Average normal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C).
5. The first step in transferring a patient safely is to:
A. Pull the patient quickly
B. Assess the patient’s ability to assist
C. Ask another patient for help
D. Lock only one wheel of the bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing mobility helps prevent injuries.
6. Which PPE should be worn when contact with blood is anticipated?
A. Gloves
B. Shoe covers only
C. Hair net only
D. Sunglasses
Answer: A
Rationale: Gloves protect against exposure to blood and body fluids.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used during CPR?
A. Pedal
B. Carotid
C. Radial
D. Temporal
Answer: B
, Rationale: The carotid artery is assessed during adult CPR.
8. A PCT should report which finding immediately?
A. Patient requests water
B. Blood pressure of 82/48 mmHg
C. Patient watching TV
D. Patient sleeping quietly
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension may indicate a medical emergency.
9. Oxygen should only be adjusted by:
A. The patient’s family
B. Authorized healthcare personnel according to facility policy
C. Visitors
D. Housekeeping staff
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen is considered a medication in many healthcare settings.
10. The abbreviation “NPO” means:
A. No physical observation
B. Nothing by mouth
C. New patient order
D. Normal pulse output
Answer: B
Rationale: NPO is from the Latin nil per os.
11. Which position promotes drainage after oral surgery?
A. Trendelenburg
B. Supine
C. Side-lying
