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CPCT/A — CERTIFIED PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN
/ ASSISTANT EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
CPCT/A — CERTIFIED PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN/ASSISTANT EXAM — 250 Practice
Questions
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE (Questions 1-110)
1. A patient care technician is preparing to assist a patient with a bed bath. Which
of the following is the correct water temperature range for a patient bed bath?
A. 90°F to 95°F (32.2°C to 35°C).
B. 100°F to 105°F (37.8°C to 40.6°C).
C. 110°F to 115°F (43.3°C to 46.1°C).
D. 120°F to 125°F (48.9°C to 51.7°C).
Answer: B. Rationale: The water temperature for a bed bath should be between 100°F
and 105°F (37.8°C to 40.6°C). This temperature range is comfortable for the patient and
safe for skin. Temperatures above 110°F can cause burns.
2. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with ambulation using a gait belt.
Where should the gait belt be placed on the patient?
A. Around the patient's chest.
B. Around the patient's waist.
C. Around the patient's hips.
D. Around the patient's neck.
Answer: B. Rationale: A gait belt should be placed securely around the patient's waist.
It should be snug but not too tight, allowing the caregiver to assist with balance and
support during ambulation.
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3. When measuring a patient's blood pressure, the patient care technician notes
that the cuff is too small for the patient's arm. Which of the following will occur if
an incorrectly sized cuff is used?
A. A falsely low blood pressure reading.
B. A falsely high blood pressure reading.
C. An accurate blood pressure reading.
D. An inability to obtain a blood pressure reading.
Answer: B. Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small will result in a falsely
high reading. A cuff that is too large will result in a falsely low reading. Using the correct
cuff size is essential for accurate measurement.
4. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is on fall precautions. Which
of the following interventions is MOST important to include in the patient's care
plan?
A. Keeping the bed in the highest position.
B. Keeping the side rails up at all times.
C. Ensuring the call light is within reach.
D. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance.
Answer: C. Rationale: Ensuring the call light is within reach allows the patient to call for
assistance when needed, which is a key fall prevention strategy. The bed should be in
the lowest position, and patients should be encouraged to ask for help with ambulation.
5. A patient care technician is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which
of the following actions is MOST important to prevent aspiration?
A. Placing the patient in a supine position.
B. Positioning the patient in a side-lying position.
C. Using a firm-bristled toothbrush.
D. Applying petroleum-based lubricant to the lips.
Answer: B. Rationale: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position allows fluids to
drain from the mouth, preventing aspiration into the lungs. This is a critical safety
measure for unconscious patients.
6. When measuring a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter, which of
the following factors can cause a falsely low reading?
A. Nail polish on the finger.
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B. Warm fingers.
C. The patient is calm and resting.
D. Adequate peripheral perfusion.
Answer: A. Rationale: Nail polish, artificial nails, and poor peripheral circulation can
cause falsely low pulse oximetry readings. The technician should remove nail polish or
use an alternative site if needed.
7. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a sitz bath. What is the
primary purpose of a sitz bath?
A. To clean the perineal area.
B. To reduce pain and inflammation in the perineal area.
C. To promote wound healing in the abdominal area.
D. To prevent urinary tract infections.
Answer: B. Rationale: A sitz bath is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote
healing in the perineal area, often after childbirth, rectal surgery, or for hemorrhoids.
8. A patient care technician is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube.
Which of the following actions is correct when providing care for a patient with an
NG tube?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat.
B. Check the tube for proper placement.
C. Irrigate the tube with 100 mL of sterile water.
D. Clamp the tube at all times.
Answer: B. Rationale: The patient care technician should check the NG tube for proper
placement by verifying the external markings and observing for any signs of
dislodgement. The head of the bed should be elevated to prevent aspiration.
9. A patient care technician is measuring a patient's intake and output (I&O). Which
of the following should be included in the patient's intake?
A. IV fluids.
B. Liquid medications.
C. Water consumed with meals.
D. All of the above.
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Answer: D. Rationale: Intake includes all fluids consumed orally (water, juices, soups,
ice chips), liquid medications, and IV fluids. Accurate I&O monitoring is essential for
patients with fluid balance issues.
10. When assisting a patient with passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, the
patient care technician should perform which of the following actions?
A. Move the patient's joints through their full range of motion until resistance is met.
B. Move the patient's joints beyond their normal range of motion.
C. Avoid moving any joints that are painful.
D. Move the patient's joints quickly to complete the exercises.
Answer: A. Rationale: PROM exercises should move each joint through its full range of
motion until resistance is met, without forcing the joint beyond its normal range. Pain
should be reported to the nurse.
11. A patient care technician is preparing to weigh a patient using a bed scale.
Which of the following is the correct procedure?
A. Weigh the patient with all linens and blankets on the bed.
B. Weigh the patient at the same time each day.
C. Weigh the patient after meals.
D. Weigh the patient in street clothes.
Answer: B. Rationale: For accurate weight monitoring, patients should be weighed at
the same time each day, using the same scale, with similar clothing and conditions. Bed
scales should be zeroed before use.
12. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with perineal care. Which
direction should the technician wipe when cleaning the perineal area of a female
patient?
A. From the rectum toward the pubic area.
B. From the pubic area toward the rectum.
C. In a circular motion.
D. Back and forth.
Answer: B. Rationale: The perineal area should be cleansed from front to back (pubic
area toward the rectum) to prevent introducing bacteria from the rectum into the
urethra, which can cause urinary tract infections.
CPCT/A — CERTIFIED PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN
/ ASSISTANT EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
CPCT/A — CERTIFIED PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN/ASSISTANT EXAM — 250 Practice
Questions
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE (Questions 1-110)
1. A patient care technician is preparing to assist a patient with a bed bath. Which
of the following is the correct water temperature range for a patient bed bath?
A. 90°F to 95°F (32.2°C to 35°C).
B. 100°F to 105°F (37.8°C to 40.6°C).
C. 110°F to 115°F (43.3°C to 46.1°C).
D. 120°F to 125°F (48.9°C to 51.7°C).
Answer: B. Rationale: The water temperature for a bed bath should be between 100°F
and 105°F (37.8°C to 40.6°C). This temperature range is comfortable for the patient and
safe for skin. Temperatures above 110°F can cause burns.
2. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with ambulation using a gait belt.
Where should the gait belt be placed on the patient?
A. Around the patient's chest.
B. Around the patient's waist.
C. Around the patient's hips.
D. Around the patient's neck.
Answer: B. Rationale: A gait belt should be placed securely around the patient's waist.
It should be snug but not too tight, allowing the caregiver to assist with balance and
support during ambulation.
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3. When measuring a patient's blood pressure, the patient care technician notes
that the cuff is too small for the patient's arm. Which of the following will occur if
an incorrectly sized cuff is used?
A. A falsely low blood pressure reading.
B. A falsely high blood pressure reading.
C. An accurate blood pressure reading.
D. An inability to obtain a blood pressure reading.
Answer: B. Rationale: Using a blood pressure cuff that is too small will result in a falsely
high reading. A cuff that is too large will result in a falsely low reading. Using the correct
cuff size is essential for accurate measurement.
4. A patient care technician is caring for a patient who is on fall precautions. Which
of the following interventions is MOST important to include in the patient's care
plan?
A. Keeping the bed in the highest position.
B. Keeping the side rails up at all times.
C. Ensuring the call light is within reach.
D. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance.
Answer: C. Rationale: Ensuring the call light is within reach allows the patient to call for
assistance when needed, which is a key fall prevention strategy. The bed should be in
the lowest position, and patients should be encouraged to ask for help with ambulation.
5. A patient care technician is providing oral care to an unconscious patient. Which
of the following actions is MOST important to prevent aspiration?
A. Placing the patient in a supine position.
B. Positioning the patient in a side-lying position.
C. Using a firm-bristled toothbrush.
D. Applying petroleum-based lubricant to the lips.
Answer: B. Rationale: Positioning the patient in a side-lying position allows fluids to
drain from the mouth, preventing aspiration into the lungs. This is a critical safety
measure for unconscious patients.
6. When measuring a patient's oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter, which of
the following factors can cause a falsely low reading?
A. Nail polish on the finger.
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B. Warm fingers.
C. The patient is calm and resting.
D. Adequate peripheral perfusion.
Answer: A. Rationale: Nail polish, artificial nails, and poor peripheral circulation can
cause falsely low pulse oximetry readings. The technician should remove nail polish or
use an alternative site if needed.
7. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with a sitz bath. What is the
primary purpose of a sitz bath?
A. To clean the perineal area.
B. To reduce pain and inflammation in the perineal area.
C. To promote wound healing in the abdominal area.
D. To prevent urinary tract infections.
Answer: B. Rationale: A sitz bath is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and promote
healing in the perineal area, often after childbirth, rectal surgery, or for hemorrhoids.
8. A patient care technician is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube.
Which of the following actions is correct when providing care for a patient with an
NG tube?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat.
B. Check the tube for proper placement.
C. Irrigate the tube with 100 mL of sterile water.
D. Clamp the tube at all times.
Answer: B. Rationale: The patient care technician should check the NG tube for proper
placement by verifying the external markings and observing for any signs of
dislodgement. The head of the bed should be elevated to prevent aspiration.
9. A patient care technician is measuring a patient's intake and output (I&O). Which
of the following should be included in the patient's intake?
A. IV fluids.
B. Liquid medications.
C. Water consumed with meals.
D. All of the above.
, Page 4 of 71
Answer: D. Rationale: Intake includes all fluids consumed orally (water, juices, soups,
ice chips), liquid medications, and IV fluids. Accurate I&O monitoring is essential for
patients with fluid balance issues.
10. When assisting a patient with passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, the
patient care technician should perform which of the following actions?
A. Move the patient's joints through their full range of motion until resistance is met.
B. Move the patient's joints beyond their normal range of motion.
C. Avoid moving any joints that are painful.
D. Move the patient's joints quickly to complete the exercises.
Answer: A. Rationale: PROM exercises should move each joint through its full range of
motion until resistance is met, without forcing the joint beyond its normal range. Pain
should be reported to the nurse.
11. A patient care technician is preparing to weigh a patient using a bed scale.
Which of the following is the correct procedure?
A. Weigh the patient with all linens and blankets on the bed.
B. Weigh the patient at the same time each day.
C. Weigh the patient after meals.
D. Weigh the patient in street clothes.
Answer: B. Rationale: For accurate weight monitoring, patients should be weighed at
the same time each day, using the same scale, with similar clothing and conditions. Bed
scales should be zeroed before use.
12. A patient care technician is assisting a patient with perineal care. Which
direction should the technician wipe when cleaning the perineal area of a female
patient?
A. From the rectum toward the pubic area.
B. From the pubic area toward the rectum.
C. In a circular motion.
D. Back and forth.
Answer: B. Rationale: The perineal area should be cleansed from front to back (pubic
area toward the rectum) to prevent introducing bacteria from the rectum into the
urethra, which can cause urinary tract infections.
