NHA PCT – Review Exam (Questions and Answers) 2025

NHA PCT – Review Exam (Questions and Answers)/ 1. Which of the following abnormalities is associated with large U waves on the EKG 2. A patient care technician is assigned to perform hourly, point-of-care testing for a patient who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 3. A patient care technician is weighing a patient using a mechanical scale. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 4. A patient care technician is in the cafeteria during lunch and sees a visitor that appears to be choking. Which of the following actions should the technician take first? 5. A patient care technician is making an open bed for a patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 6. A patient care technician is preparing to clean metal instruments that were used to remove the staples from a patient's surgical wound. Which of the following actions should the technician take to destroy micro-organisms and spores on the metal instruments? 7. A patients care technician is transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair using a gait belt. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 8. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is to undergo an exercise stress test the next morning. The technician should expect the patient to receive which of the following instructions? 9. A patient care technician documents a patient's vital signs using a bedside electronic health record (EHR) system. The technician should identify that which of the following is the primary advantage of a bedside EHR system? 10. A patient care technician is preparing to measure the pulse oximetry of an adult patient who has decreased arterial blood flow. Which of the following locations is the best place to obtain this measurement for a patient who has this condition? 11. A patient care technician has just collected a blood specimen from a patient. For which of the following reasons should the technician invert the collection tubes that contain anticoagulants immediately following a blood collection 12. A patient care technician is participating in a mock disaster situation at work. Which of the following should the technician identify as an example of an internal disaster 13. A patient care technician should recognize that it is the primary purpose of which of the following agencies to provide guidelines that ensure safe work environments 14. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and observes thin, water, reddish drainage on the wound dressing. The technician should identify that which of the following terms is used to describe this type of drainage? 15. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be removed first 16. A patient care technician is cleaning urine off of an examination table. Which of the following disposal containers should the technician use to dispose of a urine-soiled washcloth? 17. A patient care technician is observing a patient who is ambulating using a walker. Which of the following actions by the patient demonstrates correct technique? 18. A patient care technician is preparing to care for a patient who has pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the technician put on before entering the patient's room? 19. A patient care technician should identify that OSHA guideline require technicians to take which of the following actions to prevent needlestick injuries during venipuncture? 20. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following incidents should be reported to The Joint Commission (TJC) 21. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a developmental disability. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 22. A patient care technician is caring for a postpartum patient. For which of the following findings should the technician notify the nurse? 23. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The patient asks the technician to demonstrate how to give an insulin injection. Which of the following statements should the technician make? 24. A patient care technician is attending a class about fire safety. which of the following acronyms should the technician use to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher 25. A patient care technician in a hospital is concerned about the unethical behavior of a coworker. To which of the following people should the technician report his concern? 26. A patient care technician receives orders to collect an infant screening card, O2 levels, bilirubin, and DNA. Which of the following should be collected first? 27. Which of the following actions is appropriate when labeling specimens 28. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has congestive heart failure. Which of the following findings should be reported to the nurse immediately? 29. A patient care technician should recognize that chain of custody is used for which of the following reasons 30. A patient care technician is performing an EKG for a patient who is 1 day postoperative following a right leg above-the-knee amputation. In which of the following places should the technician place the right lower limb electrode? 31. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following is the minimum preferred volume of urine for a routine urinalysis? 32. A patient care technician is attending a seminar about recognizing workplace violence. The technician should identify which of the following as an example of workplace violence 33. A patients care technician is caring for a patients who has significant hearing loss.Which of the following actions should the technician take to communicate with the patient? 34. A patient care technician should identify which of the following structures of the heart is immediately affected if a sinoatrial (SA) node fails? 35. A patient care technician has been monitoring a patient's intake and output for the past 24 hr. Which of the following findings should the technician report to the nurse immediately? 36. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a stage II pressure ulcer. Which of the following findings should the technician expect 37. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has an ileostomy. Which of the following types of stool should the technician expect to observe in the ostomy pouch? 38. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following is the most commonly used paper speed for and EKG machine 39. Which of the following assistive devices should a patient care technician use to improve vertebral alignment in a patient who is immobile? 40. A patient care technician is changing linens for a patient who has clostridium difficile and whose bed is soiled with stool. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 41. A patient care technician should identify that patients benefit from the use of electronic health record (EHR) systems in which of the following ways? 42. A patient care technician observes a nurse administering an influenza vaccine to a patient. The technician should identify that receiving an influenza vaccine breaks which of the following links in the chain of infection? 43. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following represents the first link in the chain of infection 44. A patient care technician must invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent which of the following? 45. A patient care technician is preparing to remove a patients peripheral IV catheter. Which of the following actions should the technician plan to take? 46. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following provides residents in long-term care facilities with the right to be free of physical or psychological abuse? 47. A patient care technician is caring for a new patient. Which of the following questions should the technician ask the patient to verify their identity? 48. How frequently should a patient care technician disinfect an EKG machine? 49. A patient care technician is preparing to obtain a standard 12-lead EKG. The technician should identify that which of the following is the standard EKG paper speed 50. A patient care technician should identify that a health care facility's infection control program is required by which of the following institutions? 51. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is postoperative and has been prescribed incentive spirometry. The technician should recognize that the provide prescribed this therapy for which of the following reasons? 52. For which of the following procedures should a patent care technician use sterile technique 53. A patient has difficulty understanding why she needs an ambulatory monitor after having an EKG 48 hr prior. Which of the following is an appropriate explanation by the patient care technician? 54. If a patient who has influenza is coughing, a patient care technician should understand that the cough is which of the following links in the chain of infection? 55. A patient care technician is measuring the blood pressure of a patient who has a left-sided mastectomy. The technician deflates the cuff too quickly and does not obtain an accurate reading on the right arm. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 56. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following laboratory tests requires chain of custody protocol? 57. A patient care technician is assisting a nurse to change a dressing on a surgical wound. The wound should not have contact with air or oxygen. Which of the following types of dressings should the technician expect the nurse to use? 58. Which of the following actions should a patient care technician take to help prevent health care-associated infections. 59. A patient care technician can be instrumental in preventing sentinel events by taking which of the following actions? 60. A patient care technician is taking a patient's pulse oximetry reading. The technician cannot get the reading to appear on the monitor. Which of the following could be the cause 61. Which of the following provided specific definitions about the scope of practice for patient care technicians? 62. A patient care technician is caring for a patient whose daughter is visiting. The daughter asks about the health of the patient's roommate. Which of the following statements by the technician is an appropriate response? 63. Which of the following can reduce abnormal marks on an EKG tracing that are caused by patient movement or muscle tremors? 64. A patient care technician is providing instructions to a newly hired technician about transporting and handling blood specimens. Which of the following instructions should the technician include? 65. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a two-piece colostomy system in place. Which of the following actions should the technician take when providing ostomy care? 66. A patient care technician is monitoring a patient who has severe hypertension. which of the following findings related to the patient's condition should the technician report to the nurse immediately? 67. A patient care technician is teaching a patient about HiPAA regulations. Which of the following client statements indicates and understanding of the teaching? 68. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes unresponsive. Which of the following actions should the technician take first. 69. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following settings adjusts the height of the EKG waveform on a tracing 70. A patient care technician is caring for patients when a fire alert is activated. The technician should identify that the "R" in the fire-response mnemoinc RACE stands for which of the following? 71. Which of the following EKG finding differentiates accelerated idioventricular rhythm from junctional rhythm? 72. A patient care technician is assisting with the physical examination of an older adult patient. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a risk factor for elder abuse. 73. Which of the following tubes should be collected first for dermal samles 74. A patient care technician is preparing to transport a patient via a stretcher. Which of the following actions should the technician take when transferring the patient from a bed to the stretcher? 75. A patient care technician should recognize that which of the following is the purpose of CLIA 76. Which of the following actions should a patient care technician take when discharging a patient 77. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has an ostomy. Which of the following actions should the technician take when providing ostomy care? 78. A patient care technician should identify that which of the following incidents should be reported to the Joint Commission (TJC) 79. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who requires oral suctioning. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 80. a patient care technician receives orders to collect an infant screening card, O2 levels, bilirubin, and DNA. Which of the following should be collected first? 81. A patient care technician enters the room of a patient who is receiving oxygen and finds the patient's nasal cannula on the floor. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 82. A patient care technician is performing an EKG for a patient who is 1 day postoperaive following a right leg above-the-knee amputation. In which of the following places should the technician place the right lower limb electrode? 83. A patient care technician is preparing to determine the pulse rate of a patient who has atrial fibrillation. Which of the following methods should the technician use? 84. A patient care technician has been monitoring a patient's intake and output for the past 24 hr. Which of the following findings should the technician report to the nurse immediately 85. A patient care technician should recognize that chain of custody is used for which of the following reasons? 86. A patient care technician is assisting during mealtime with a patient who is at risk for dysphagia. The technician should identify that which of the following foods should be calculated as fluid intake for the intake and output record? 87. A patient care technician observes a nurse administering an influenza vaccine to a patient. The technician should identify that receiving an influenza vaccine breaks which of the following links in the chain of infection 88. A patient care technician is reinforcing teaching about using an incentive spirometer with a patient. Which of the following instructions should the technician include? 89. A patient care technician is preparing to obtain a standard 12-lead EKG. The technician should identify that which of the following is the standard EKG paper speed 90. A patient care technician is preparing to assist a patient to ambulate using a gait belt. Which of the following statements should the technician make? 91. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is postoperative and has been prescribed incentive spirometry. The technician should recognize that the provider prescribed this therapy for which of the following reasons? 92. A patient care technician has a conflict with another technician. Which of the following actions should the technician take first? 93. A nurse instructs a patient care technician to perform a procedure. The technician then considers whether the procedure is within their scope of practice. Which of the following five rights of delegation is the technician following. 94. A patient care technician is assisting in the care of a patient who has a wound left to heal by way of granulation. How often should this wound be redressed? 95. A patient care technician is manually transferring a patient who has right-sided weakness from the bed to the wheelchair. Which of the following methods should the technician use to promote proper body mechanics? 96. A patient care technician is changing a patient's bedding and receives a needlestick. Which of the following actions should the technician take first? 97. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is in the acceptance stage of the grieving process. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 98. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is 8hr postoperative following a repair of a fractured femur. Which of the following vital sign values should the technician report to a nurse? 99. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is at risk for pressure ulcers. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 100. A patient care technician has orders to collect blood cultures, CBC, PTT, and an iron panel. He forgets to draw for the PTT. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 101. A provider requests that a patient care technician collect blood specimens from a patient for blood cultures, hematology, and coagulation studies. Which of the following should the technician fill first when performing the venipuncture? 102. A patient care technician is assisting a nurse with the care of a patient who has recently given birth vaginally. Which of the following bathing techniques should the technician use? 103. A patient care technician is to collect a 2hr postprandial glucose by dermal puncture. Upon entering the room, she sees the patient pushing away the overbed table with the lunch tray still on it. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 104. A patient care technician is preparing to place electrodes for an EKG on a patient who has large breasts. In which of the following locations should the technician place the electrodes for V4 and V5 105. A patient care technician is assisting a nurse to bathe a patient who has a colostomy. Which of the following cleansing agents should the technician use to clean the skin around the stoma? 106. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is receiving an enteral feeding via an NG tube. In which of the following positions should the technician place the patient 107. A patient care technician is transporting a blood specimen that is wrapped in aluminum foil. The technician should identify that the specimen is wrapped in aluminum foil for which of the following reasons? 108. A patient care technician is preparing to label a patient's specimen tube following a blood collection. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 109. A patent care technician is removing soiled gloves. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 110. A patient care technician is responding to an adult patient who is experiencing ventricular tachycardia and has become unresponsive. The technician should palpate the patient's pulse using which of the following sites? 111. A patient care technician is applying antiembolism stockings to a patient. The technician should identify that the provider has prescribed antiembolism stocking for which of the following reasons? 112. a patient care technician is performing a 12-lead EKG for a patient. The technician should identify that which of the following heart rates indicates bradycardia 113. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has a large wound on the upper thigh that is draining purulent fluid. The technician should identify that this wound will most likely heal by which of the following processes. 114. A patient care technician is applying a sequential compression decive (SCD) to a patient. The technician should plan to remove the SCD at which of the following times? 115. A patient care technician is caring for a patient whose roommate asks about her diagnosis. The technician should identify that disclosing this information would violate which of the following? 116. A patient care technician is preparing to collect a stool specimen from a patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 117. A patient care technician is measuring intake for a patient who has consumed 2 oz of iced tea, 6 oz of chicken broth and 4 oz of flavored gelatin. Which of the following amounts is the patient's total intake? 118. A patient care technician is obtaining a blood specimen from a patient. The technician should identify that which of the following errors should cause specimen hemolysis? 119. A patient care technician is documenting in a patients electronic health record. Which of the following abbreviations should the technician avoid using? 120. A patient care technician is reviewing quality improvement tools. Which of the following tools attempts to improve patient safety and the quality of health care by eliminating unnecessary processes and redirecting resources to patient needs? 121. A patient care technician is preparing to perform passive range-of-motion exercises for a patient. Which of the following motions should the technician perform on the patients elbows? 122. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is at risk for falls. At which of the following times should the technician check and document on this patient? 123. A patient care technician is preparing to perform an antecubital venipuncture and has cleansed the site. The technician palpates the vein again with a gloved finger. Which of the following actions should the technician take next 124. A patient care technician informs a nurse about swelling at a patient's peripheral IV site. The technician should recognize that which of the following is the most likely cause of this finding? 125. A patient care technician is assisting a patient who is recovering from abdominal surgery with deep-breathing and coughing exercises. Which of the following finding should the technician expect to observe in the patient? 126. A patient care technician is preparing to weigh a patient who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should the technician take when using a mechanical scale to weigh the patient? 127. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is to begin wearing a Holter monitor. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates an understanding of the device? 128. A patient care technician is performing a venipuncture to collect a blood specimen from a patient. which of the following actions should the technician take to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens? 129. A patient care technician is assisting a patient to perform passive range-of-motion exercises. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 130. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is to receive continuous tube feedings. The technician should place the patient into which of the following positions? 131. Two patient care technicians are transferring a patient who is deceased from a bed to a morgue gurney. To avoid injury, the technicians should use which of the following body mechanics? 132. A patient care technician is about to perform a venipuncture for a patient. Which of the following equipment should the technician use to prevent hemolysis of the blood sample? 133. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who has an ostomy. The technician should expect the fecal material to be more solid and less irritating to the skin if the stoma is place in which of the following locations 134. A patient care technician is teaching a newly hired technician about percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. Which of the following statements should the technician make? 135. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who had a cerebrovascular accident and is nonambulatory. Which of the following findings should the technician report to the nurse immediately? 136. A patient care technician is preparing to perform urinary catheter care for a female patient. Which of the following actions should the technician plan to take 137. A patient care technician is performing a routine venipuncture for a patient who becomes pallid and diaphoretic. Which of the following conditions is this patient most likely to experience? 138. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is receiving oxygen at 2L/min via nasal cannula. The technician notes that the patient's pulse oximetry level is 91%. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 139. A patient care technician in a clinic is receiving a urine specimen from a patient who completed a 34-hr urine collection. The technician should ensure that which of the following requirements have been met for this test? 140. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is experiencing moderate epistaxis. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 141. A patients presents alert and oriented, but a patient care technician finds hat all the waveforms are negative in Lead 1. The technician should check the cable connections for which of the following lim electrodes? 142. A patient care technician has obtained a specimen that must remain at body temperature when transported to the lab for processing. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 143. A patient care technician is providing postoperative care for a patient who has been prescribed antiembolism stockings. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 144. A patient care technician is assisting a nurse to perform an aseptic wound dressing for a patient who has stage IV pressure ulcer. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 145. A patient care technician is preparing to perform documentation in a patient's electronic health record. Which of the following is an example of appropriate documentation by the technician? 146. A patient care technician is performing CPR for an adult patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 147. A patient technician should identify that which of the following provides residents in long-term care facilities with the right to be free of physical or psychological abuse 148. A patient care technician is providing instructions to a newly hired technician about transporting and handling blood specimens. Which of the following instructions should the technician include? 149. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who requires oral suctioning. Which of the following actions should the technician take? 150. A patient care technician is assisting in the care of a patient who has a wound left to heal by way of granulation. How often should this wound be redressed? 151. A patient care technician is taking a patient's pulse oximetry reading. The technician cannot get the reading to appear on the monitor. which of the following could be the cause?