Page 1 of 133
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT/CPCT/A)
PRACTICE TEST BANK
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | ALIGNED WITH
NHA CPCT/A EXAM BLUEPRINT
itsjereguides
# DOMAIN 1: PATIENT CARE (45%)
## 1.1 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Hygiene
**Question 1**
A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a partial bath. The patient has right-sided
weakness following a stroke. Which action should the technician take to promote patient
independence and safety?
A) Complete the entire bath for the patient to prevent fatigue
B) Allow the patient to wash the left side independently and assist with the right side
C) Instruct the patient to use only the right hand to wash both sides
D) Defer the bath until the patient has regained full strength
**Correct Answer: B**
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**Rationale:** Allowing the patient to wash the unaffected side (left) independently promotes
autonomy and preserves dignity, while the technician assists with the affected (right) side to
ensure thorough cleaning and safety. Completing the entire bath for the patient (A) promotes
dependence and does not support rehabilitation. Instructing the patient to use only the right hand
(C) is unrealistic and unsafe given the weakness. Deferring the bath (D) neglects the patient's
hygiene needs and does not address the underlying issue of how to provide care with functional
limitations.
---
**Question 2**
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, which of the following is the most important
safety consideration?
A) Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
B) Positioning the patient in a side-lying position
C) Applying suction to prevent aspiration
D) Using mouthwash instead of toothpaste
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Applying suction during oral care is critical to prevent aspiration of fluids or
debris into the airway, which is the greatest risk for an unconscious patient who lacks a
protective gag reflex. While using a soft-bristled toothbrush (A) and side-lying positioning (B)
are appropriate, they do not address the immediate risk of aspiration as directly as suction does.
Mouthwash instead of toothpaste (D) is not an appropriate substitute and may still pose
aspiration risk.
---
**Question 3**
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A patient care technician is preparing to assist a patient with a bed bath. The water temperature
should be:
A) 90°F to 95°F (32°C to 35°C)
B) 100°F to 105°F (38°C to 41°C)
C) 110°F to 115°F (43°C to 46°C)
D) 120°F to 125°F (49°C to 52°C)
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The recommended water temperature for a bed bath is 100°F to 105°F (38°C to
41°C), which is warm enough for patient comfort without causing burns or discomfort. Water
that is too cool (A) may cause chilling and muscle tension. Water that is too hot (C, D) increases
the risk of thermal injury, especially in patients with decreased sensation or impaired circulation.
---
**Question 4**
When providing perineal care (pericare) to a female patient, the technician should cleanse:
A) From the rectum toward the urethra
B) From the urethra toward the rectum
C) In a circular motion starting at the rectum
D) Using a back-and-forth scrubbing motion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Perineal care should always be performed from the urethra toward the rectum
(front to back) to prevent introducing fecal bacteria into the urethra, which could cause a urinary
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tract infection. Cleansing from rectum toward urethra (A) increases infection risk. Circular
motions starting at the rectum (C) and back-and-forth scrubbing (D) are not appropriate
techniques and may spread contamination.
---
**Question 5**
A patient care technician observes that a patient's dentures are cracked. What is the appropriate
action?
A) Continue to use the dentures as they are
B) Repair the dentures with household glue
C) Notify the nurse and place the dentures in a labeled container
D) Discard the dentures immediately
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Damaged dentures should be reported to the nurse, and the dentures should be
stored safely in a labeled container to prevent further damage or loss. Continuing to use cracked
dentures (A) may cause oral injury or discomfort. Household glue (B) is not safe for medical
devices and may contain toxic substances. Discarding the dentures (D) is inappropriate as
dentures are expensive and the patient may have no replacement.
---
**Question 6**
When assisting a patient with hair care, which finding should the technician report to the nurse
immediately?
A) Dandruff
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT/CPCT/A)
PRACTICE TEST BANK
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | ALIGNED WITH
NHA CPCT/A EXAM BLUEPRINT
itsjereguides
# DOMAIN 1: PATIENT CARE (45%)
## 1.1 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Hygiene
**Question 1**
A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a partial bath. The patient has right-sided
weakness following a stroke. Which action should the technician take to promote patient
independence and safety?
A) Complete the entire bath for the patient to prevent fatigue
B) Allow the patient to wash the left side independently and assist with the right side
C) Instruct the patient to use only the right hand to wash both sides
D) Defer the bath until the patient has regained full strength
**Correct Answer: B**
,Page 2 of 133
**Rationale:** Allowing the patient to wash the unaffected side (left) independently promotes
autonomy and preserves dignity, while the technician assists with the affected (right) side to
ensure thorough cleaning and safety. Completing the entire bath for the patient (A) promotes
dependence and does not support rehabilitation. Instructing the patient to use only the right hand
(C) is unrealistic and unsafe given the weakness. Deferring the bath (D) neglects the patient's
hygiene needs and does not address the underlying issue of how to provide care with functional
limitations.
---
**Question 2**
When providing oral care to an unconscious patient, which of the following is the most important
safety consideration?
A) Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
B) Positioning the patient in a side-lying position
C) Applying suction to prevent aspiration
D) Using mouthwash instead of toothpaste
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Applying suction during oral care is critical to prevent aspiration of fluids or
debris into the airway, which is the greatest risk for an unconscious patient who lacks a
protective gag reflex. While using a soft-bristled toothbrush (A) and side-lying positioning (B)
are appropriate, they do not address the immediate risk of aspiration as directly as suction does.
Mouthwash instead of toothpaste (D) is not an appropriate substitute and may still pose
aspiration risk.
---
**Question 3**
,Page 3 of 133
A patient care technician is preparing to assist a patient with a bed bath. The water temperature
should be:
A) 90°F to 95°F (32°C to 35°C)
B) 100°F to 105°F (38°C to 41°C)
C) 110°F to 115°F (43°C to 46°C)
D) 120°F to 125°F (49°C to 52°C)
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The recommended water temperature for a bed bath is 100°F to 105°F (38°C to
41°C), which is warm enough for patient comfort without causing burns or discomfort. Water
that is too cool (A) may cause chilling and muscle tension. Water that is too hot (C, D) increases
the risk of thermal injury, especially in patients with decreased sensation or impaired circulation.
---
**Question 4**
When providing perineal care (pericare) to a female patient, the technician should cleanse:
A) From the rectum toward the urethra
B) From the urethra toward the rectum
C) In a circular motion starting at the rectum
D) Using a back-and-forth scrubbing motion
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Perineal care should always be performed from the urethra toward the rectum
(front to back) to prevent introducing fecal bacteria into the urethra, which could cause a urinary
, Page 4 of 133
tract infection. Cleansing from rectum toward urethra (A) increases infection risk. Circular
motions starting at the rectum (C) and back-and-forth scrubbing (D) are not appropriate
techniques and may spread contamination.
---
**Question 5**
A patient care technician observes that a patient's dentures are cracked. What is the appropriate
action?
A) Continue to use the dentures as they are
B) Repair the dentures with household glue
C) Notify the nurse and place the dentures in a labeled container
D) Discard the dentures immediately
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Damaged dentures should be reported to the nurse, and the dentures should be
stored safely in a labeled container to prevent further damage or loss. Continuing to use cracked
dentures (A) may cause oral injury or discomfort. Household glue (B) is not safe for medical
devices and may contain toxic substances. Discarding the dentures (D) is inappropriate as
dentures are expensive and the patient may have no replacement.
---
**Question 6**
When assisting a patient with hair care, which finding should the technician report to the nurse
immediately?
A) Dandruff
