Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certification Exam
Comprehensive Practice Question a well
Bank
detailed one written and graded A+
upgraded
Title: Master the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care
Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) Examination with this Comprehensive 150-Question Practice Bank
Covering Patient Care, Infection Control, Phlebotomy, EKG, Safety, Compliance, and Professional
Responsibility Domains.
Domain 1: Patient Care (Questions 1–65)
Basic Patient Care & ADLs
1. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a bed bath. Which action demonstrates
proper infection control practice?
• A) Using the same washcloth for the entire body to minimize linen use
• B) Washing from the cleanest area to the dirtiest area
• C) Using circular motions from the distal to proximal areas
• D) Allowing the patient to remain in wet linens to promote independence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Washing from the cleanest to the dirtiest area prevents the spread of
microorganisms from contaminated to clean body surfaces. Using the same washcloth spreads
bacteria, circular motions are not standard for bathing, and wet linens promote skin breakdown.
,2. A PCT is preparing to make an unoccupied bed. Which step should the technician perform
first?
• A) Place the fitted sheet on the mattress
• B) Apply the drawsheet
• C) Perform hand hygiene and don gloves
• D) Remove soiled linens from the bed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene and gloving must be performed first to prevent the transmission of
microorganisms. Soiled linens should be removed before applying clean linens.
3. A patient has been incontinent of stool. Which action should the PCT take when providing
perineal care?
• A) Wipe from the rectum toward the urethra
• B) Use a back-and-forth motion to ensure thorough cleaning
• C) Wipe from front to back (urethra to rectum)
• D) Apply powder generously to the perineal area after cleaning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Perineal care should always be performed from front to back (urethra to rectum) to
prevent introducing fecal bacteria into the urethra, which can cause urinary tract infections.
4. A PCT is assisting a patient with denture care. Which action is correct?
• A) Clean dentures with hot water to kill bacteria
• B) Store dentures in a dry container when not in use
• C) Line the sink with a washcloth before cleaning dentures
• D) Use abrasive cleaners to remove stubborn stains
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lining the sink with a washcloth prevents damage if dentures are accidentally
dropped. Hot water can warp dentures, they should be stored in water or denture solution, and
abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface.
,5. A patient who is 24 hours post-surgery requires assistance with oral care. Which action
should the PCT take?
• A) Use a firm-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque effectively
• B) Assist the patient with brushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush
• C) Skip oral care to prevent disturbing the patient
• D) Use lemon-glycerin swabs for frequent oral care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A soft-bristled toothbrush is appropriate for postoperative patients to prevent gum
trauma. Firm bristles can cause bleeding, oral care should not be skipped, and lemon-glycerin
swabs can dry oral mucosa.
6. A PCT is preparing to assist a patient with a partial bath. The patient is ambulatory but
requires minimal assistance. What is the most appropriate approach?
• A) Complete the entire bath for the patient to save time
• B) Assist with hard-to-reach areas and allow the patient to perform independent care
• C) Delegate the bath to another staff member
• D) Provide a complete bed bath to ensure thoroughness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging independence while assisting with difficult areas promotes patient
autonomy and preserves dignity. Performing the entire bath undermines independence.
7. A patient with right-sided weakness is being transferred from the bed to a wheelchair.
Which technique should the PCT use to promote proper body mechanics?
• A) Have the patient wrap arms around the technician's neck and lift
• B) Position the wheelchair on the patient's strong side
• C) Position the wheelchair on the patient's weak side
• D) Transfer the patient without using a gait belt
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the patient's strong (left) side allows the patient to use
their stronger side for weight-bearing during the transfer. The gait belt should always be used
for safety.
8. A PCT is using a mechanical lift to transfer a patient. Which action is essential for patient
safety?
• A) Use the lift without a second staff member present
• B) Ensure the sling is properly positioned and attached before lifting
• C) Lift the patient as quickly as possible to minimize discomfort
• D) Allow the patient's arms to hang freely outside the sling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper sling positioning and attachment prevent falls and injury during mechanical
lift transfers. A second staff member is typically required, lifts should be slow and controlled,
and arms should be secured within the sling.
9. A PCT is assisting a patient with ambulation using a gait belt. Where should the gait belt be
positioned?
• A) Around the patient's chest
• B) Around the patient's waist, over clothing
• C) Around the patient's hips, under clothing
• D) Around the patient's neck for support
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The gait belt should be placed around the patient's waist over clothing, snug but not
too tight, to provide a secure grip for the caregiver during ambulation.
10. A patient has fallen and is lying on the floor. The PCT enters the room and finds the
patient on the floor next to the bed. What is the technician's priority action?
• A) Immediately help the patient back into bed
Comprehensive Practice Question a well
Bank
detailed one written and graded A+
upgraded
Title: Master the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Patient Care
Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) Examination with this Comprehensive 150-Question Practice Bank
Covering Patient Care, Infection Control, Phlebotomy, EKG, Safety, Compliance, and Professional
Responsibility Domains.
Domain 1: Patient Care (Questions 1–65)
Basic Patient Care & ADLs
1. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a bed bath. Which action demonstrates
proper infection control practice?
• A) Using the same washcloth for the entire body to minimize linen use
• B) Washing from the cleanest area to the dirtiest area
• C) Using circular motions from the distal to proximal areas
• D) Allowing the patient to remain in wet linens to promote independence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Washing from the cleanest to the dirtiest area prevents the spread of
microorganisms from contaminated to clean body surfaces. Using the same washcloth spreads
bacteria, circular motions are not standard for bathing, and wet linens promote skin breakdown.
,2. A PCT is preparing to make an unoccupied bed. Which step should the technician perform
first?
• A) Place the fitted sheet on the mattress
• B) Apply the drawsheet
• C) Perform hand hygiene and don gloves
• D) Remove soiled linens from the bed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene and gloving must be performed first to prevent the transmission of
microorganisms. Soiled linens should be removed before applying clean linens.
3. A patient has been incontinent of stool. Which action should the PCT take when providing
perineal care?
• A) Wipe from the rectum toward the urethra
• B) Use a back-and-forth motion to ensure thorough cleaning
• C) Wipe from front to back (urethra to rectum)
• D) Apply powder generously to the perineal area after cleaning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Perineal care should always be performed from front to back (urethra to rectum) to
prevent introducing fecal bacteria into the urethra, which can cause urinary tract infections.
4. A PCT is assisting a patient with denture care. Which action is correct?
• A) Clean dentures with hot water to kill bacteria
• B) Store dentures in a dry container when not in use
• C) Line the sink with a washcloth before cleaning dentures
• D) Use abrasive cleaners to remove stubborn stains
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lining the sink with a washcloth prevents damage if dentures are accidentally
dropped. Hot water can warp dentures, they should be stored in water or denture solution, and
abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface.
,5. A patient who is 24 hours post-surgery requires assistance with oral care. Which action
should the PCT take?
• A) Use a firm-bristled toothbrush to remove plaque effectively
• B) Assist the patient with brushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush
• C) Skip oral care to prevent disturbing the patient
• D) Use lemon-glycerin swabs for frequent oral care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A soft-bristled toothbrush is appropriate for postoperative patients to prevent gum
trauma. Firm bristles can cause bleeding, oral care should not be skipped, and lemon-glycerin
swabs can dry oral mucosa.
6. A PCT is preparing to assist a patient with a partial bath. The patient is ambulatory but
requires minimal assistance. What is the most appropriate approach?
• A) Complete the entire bath for the patient to save time
• B) Assist with hard-to-reach areas and allow the patient to perform independent care
• C) Delegate the bath to another staff member
• D) Provide a complete bed bath to ensure thoroughness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging independence while assisting with difficult areas promotes patient
autonomy and preserves dignity. Performing the entire bath undermines independence.
7. A patient with right-sided weakness is being transferred from the bed to a wheelchair.
Which technique should the PCT use to promote proper body mechanics?
• A) Have the patient wrap arms around the technician's neck and lift
• B) Position the wheelchair on the patient's strong side
• C) Position the wheelchair on the patient's weak side
• D) Transfer the patient without using a gait belt
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the patient's strong (left) side allows the patient to use
their stronger side for weight-bearing during the transfer. The gait belt should always be used
for safety.
8. A PCT is using a mechanical lift to transfer a patient. Which action is essential for patient
safety?
• A) Use the lift without a second staff member present
• B) Ensure the sling is properly positioned and attached before lifting
• C) Lift the patient as quickly as possible to minimize discomfort
• D) Allow the patient's arms to hang freely outside the sling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper sling positioning and attachment prevent falls and injury during mechanical
lift transfers. A second staff member is typically required, lifts should be slow and controlled,
and arms should be secured within the sling.
9. A PCT is assisting a patient with ambulation using a gait belt. Where should the gait belt be
positioned?
• A) Around the patient's chest
• B) Around the patient's waist, over clothing
• C) Around the patient's hips, under clothing
• D) Around the patient's neck for support
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The gait belt should be placed around the patient's waist over clothing, snug but not
too tight, to provide a secure grip for the caregiver during ambulation.
10. A patient has fallen and is lying on the floor. The PCT enters the room and finds the
patient on the floor next to the bed. What is the technician's priority action?
• A) Immediately help the patient back into bed
