Patient Care Technician Exam Secrets Study Guide.Exam
Questions And Verified Solutions With Rationales.
Patient Care Technician – Practice Questions
1. Medical Terminology
Which prefix means “above” or “excessive”?
A. hypo-
B. hyper-
C. sub-
D. infra-
Answer: hyper-
Rationale: “Hyper-” means above or excessive (e.g., hyperglycemia = high blood sugar). “Hypo-”
means below/low. “Sub-” and “infra-” mean under or below.
2. Anatomy & Physiology
The smallest functional unit of the kidney that filters blood is the:
A. nephron
B. nephron
C. alveolus
D. villus
Answer: nephron
Rationale: The nephron is the basic structural/functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and
produces urine. Alveoli are in lungs; villi are in the intestines.
3. Infection Control
What is the most effective way to reduce transmission of pathogens in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Using antibiotics
C. Hand washing with soap and water
D. Disinfecting floors
Answer: Hand washing with soap and water
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single best way to prevent infection spread. Gloves and disinfectants
help but do not replace hand washing.
, 4. Phlebotomy
Which tube is commonly used for blood cultures to detect infection?
A. Lavender
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Gray
Answer: Yellow
Rationale: Yellow top tubes (often SPS) are used for blood cultures. Lavender is for CBCs; red is for
serum tests; gray is for glucose.
5. ECG Basics
On an ECG strip, the P wave represents:
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
Answer: Atrial depolarization
Rationale: The P wave shows atrial electrical activity (depolarization). QRS represents ventricular
depolarization; T wave represents ventricular repolarization.
6. Patient Care Skills
Which of the following is the correct position for a patient having difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: Fowler’s
Rationale: Fowler’s position (head of bed elevated) improves breathing. Supine and prone are flat
positions; Trendelenburg places feet elevated above head.
7. Legal & Ethical
Which term means a patient’s right to make decisions about their own healthcare?
A. Malpractice
B. Negligence
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the patient’s right to decide their care. Malpractice and negligence are types
of legal issues; beneficence is doing good.
Questions And Verified Solutions With Rationales.
Patient Care Technician – Practice Questions
1. Medical Terminology
Which prefix means “above” or “excessive”?
A. hypo-
B. hyper-
C. sub-
D. infra-
Answer: hyper-
Rationale: “Hyper-” means above or excessive (e.g., hyperglycemia = high blood sugar). “Hypo-”
means below/low. “Sub-” and “infra-” mean under or below.
2. Anatomy & Physiology
The smallest functional unit of the kidney that filters blood is the:
A. nephron
B. nephron
C. alveolus
D. villus
Answer: nephron
Rationale: The nephron is the basic structural/functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and
produces urine. Alveoli are in lungs; villi are in the intestines.
3. Infection Control
What is the most effective way to reduce transmission of pathogens in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Using antibiotics
C. Hand washing with soap and water
D. Disinfecting floors
Answer: Hand washing with soap and water
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single best way to prevent infection spread. Gloves and disinfectants
help but do not replace hand washing.
, 4. Phlebotomy
Which tube is commonly used for blood cultures to detect infection?
A. Lavender
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Gray
Answer: Yellow
Rationale: Yellow top tubes (often SPS) are used for blood cultures. Lavender is for CBCs; red is for
serum tests; gray is for glucose.
5. ECG Basics
On an ECG strip, the P wave represents:
A. Ventricular depolarization
B. Atrial depolarization
C. Ventricular repolarization
D. Atrial repolarization
Answer: Atrial depolarization
Rationale: The P wave shows atrial electrical activity (depolarization). QRS represents ventricular
depolarization; T wave represents ventricular repolarization.
6. Patient Care Skills
Which of the following is the correct position for a patient having difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: Fowler’s
Rationale: Fowler’s position (head of bed elevated) improves breathing. Supine and prone are flat
positions; Trendelenburg places feet elevated above head.
7. Legal & Ethical
Which term means a patient’s right to make decisions about their own healthcare?
A. Malpractice
B. Negligence
C. Autonomy
D. Beneficence
Answer: Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy is the patient’s right to decide their care. Malpractice and negligence are types
of legal issues; beneficence is doing good.
