NHA Patient Care Technician Pct Exam 2026/2027 | Practice
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 | Complete Questions And
Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive
Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A patient-care technician (PCT) enters a patient's room and notices that the patient is
unusually difficult to arouse. What should the PCT do FIRST?
A. Offer the patient a glass of water
B. Document the finding at the end of the shift
C. Attempt to stimulate the patient and immediately notify the nurse
D. Allow the patient to continue sleeping
Answer: C
A significant change in level of consciousness can indicate a serious condition. The PCT should
assess responsiveness within the scope of training and promptly report the change to the
nurse.
2. Before assisting a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, which action is MOST
important?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Raise the bed to its highest position
C. Remove the patient's nonskid footwear
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: A
Locking the wheelchair brakes helps prevent movement during the transfer and reduces the
risk of a fall.
3. A PCT is preparing to obtain a patient's oral temperature. Which action is appropriate?
A. Place the thermometer over the patient's tongue
B. Ask the patient to hold the thermometer between the teeth
C. Position the thermometer under the tongue toward the posterior sublingual pocket
D. Ask the patient to breathe through the mouth during measurement
Answer: C
For an oral temperature, the thermometer is positioned under the tongue in the posterior
sublingual area, where an accurate reading can be obtained.
4. A patient tells the PCT, "I am afraid I might fall when I walk to the bathroom." What is
the BEST response?
A. "You should not be worried because I am here."
,B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel unsafe."
C. "You should stay in bed for the rest of the day."
D. "Your family should help you instead."
Answer: B
An open-ended response encourages the patient to describe the concern and allows the PCT
to identify safety needs without dismissing the patient's feelings.
5. Which finding should a PCT report immediately to the nurse?
A. Patient requests a different television channel
B. Patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Patient says breakfast was cold
D. Patient asks when visiting hours begin
Answer: B
A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute is abnormally low for an adult and may indicate
respiratory compromise requiring prompt evaluation.
6. Which practice is MOST effective for preventing transmission of microorganisms
between patients?
A. Wearing the same gloves for several tasks
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
C. Keeping all patient doors closed
D. Using antibiotics before every patient encounter
Answer: B
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of
microorganisms in healthcare settings.
7. A PCT removes gloves after assisting with toileting. What should the PCT do NEXT?
A. Put on another pair of gloves
B. Adjust the patient's bed
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Record the patient's temperature
Answer: C
Gloves can become contaminated during patient care. Hand hygiene should be performed
immediately after glove removal.
8. A patient is on contact precautions. Which PPE would generally be required when
entering the patient's room for direct care?
A. Gloves and gown
,B. N95 respirator only
C. Sterile surgical gloves only
D. Shoe covers only
Answer: A
Contact precautions generally require gloves and a gown for direct patient contact or contact
with the patient's environment, according to facility policy.
9. A PCT notices that a patient's IV dressing is loose and the insertion site appears red.
What should the PCT do?
A. Remove the IV catheter
B. Apply antibiotic ointment
C. Report the finding to the nurse
D. Tighten the dressing independently
Answer: C
Redness and a loose dressing can indicate a potential IV-site complication. The PCT should not
independently manipulate or remove the IV unless specifically authorized by policy and
training.
10. When communicating with a patient who has hearing impairment, the PCT should
FIRST:
A. Shout from across the room
B. Speak while facing away from the patient
C. Face the patient and speak clearly at a normal pace
D. Speak rapidly so the conversation is shorter
Answer: C
Facing the patient allows the individual to use visual cues such as lip and facial movements
while clear speech improves communication.
11. Which position generally promotes maximum lung expansion for a patient experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Prone
B. High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Supine
Answer: B
High Fowler's position elevates the upper body and can facilitate chest expansion and
breathing.
, 12. A patient has been identified as having a high risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep the patient's personal items out of reach
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Encourage the patient to walk without assistance
D. Keep the bed in the highest position
Answer: B
Keeping the call light accessible allows the patient to request assistance and supports fall
prevention.
13. A PCT obtains a blood pressure reading that is significantly different from the patient's
previous readings. What is the BEST initial action?
A. Ignore the result if the patient feels well
B. Recheck the measurement using proper technique
C. Change the patient's medication
D. Delete the reading from the record
Answer: B
An unexpected reading should be verified using correct technique before being reported,
unless the patient's condition requires immediate intervention.
14. Which factor can cause an inaccurately high blood pressure reading?
A. Correct cuff size
B. Patient resting quietly
C. Cuff that is too small
D. Arm supported at heart level
Answer: C
A blood-pressure cuff that is too small can produce a falsely elevated reading.
15. When measuring a radial pulse, the PCT should use:
A. The thumb
B. The fingertips
C. The palm
D. The back of the hand
Answer: B
The fingertips are used to palpate the radial pulse because the thumb has its own pulse,
which can interfere with measurement.
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 | Complete Questions And
Answers (Verified Answers) | Exam Prep | Comprehensive
Exam Guide 2026&2027
1. A patient-care technician (PCT) enters a patient's room and notices that the patient is
unusually difficult to arouse. What should the PCT do FIRST?
A. Offer the patient a glass of water
B. Document the finding at the end of the shift
C. Attempt to stimulate the patient and immediately notify the nurse
D. Allow the patient to continue sleeping
Answer: C
A significant change in level of consciousness can indicate a serious condition. The PCT should
assess responsiveness within the scope of training and promptly report the change to the
nurse.
2. Before assisting a patient from the bed to a wheelchair, which action is MOST
important?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Raise the bed to its highest position
C. Remove the patient's nonskid footwear
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: A
Locking the wheelchair brakes helps prevent movement during the transfer and reduces the
risk of a fall.
3. A PCT is preparing to obtain a patient's oral temperature. Which action is appropriate?
A. Place the thermometer over the patient's tongue
B. Ask the patient to hold the thermometer between the teeth
C. Position the thermometer under the tongue toward the posterior sublingual pocket
D. Ask the patient to breathe through the mouth during measurement
Answer: C
For an oral temperature, the thermometer is positioned under the tongue in the posterior
sublingual area, where an accurate reading can be obtained.
4. A patient tells the PCT, "I am afraid I might fall when I walk to the bathroom." What is
the BEST response?
A. "You should not be worried because I am here."
,B. "Tell me more about what makes you feel unsafe."
C. "You should stay in bed for the rest of the day."
D. "Your family should help you instead."
Answer: B
An open-ended response encourages the patient to describe the concern and allows the PCT
to identify safety needs without dismissing the patient's feelings.
5. Which finding should a PCT report immediately to the nurse?
A. Patient requests a different television channel
B. Patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
C. Patient says breakfast was cold
D. Patient asks when visiting hours begin
Answer: B
A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute is abnormally low for an adult and may indicate
respiratory compromise requiring prompt evaluation.
6. Which practice is MOST effective for preventing transmission of microorganisms
between patients?
A. Wearing the same gloves for several tasks
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
C. Keeping all patient doors closed
D. Using antibiotics before every patient encounter
Answer: B
Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of
microorganisms in healthcare settings.
7. A PCT removes gloves after assisting with toileting. What should the PCT do NEXT?
A. Put on another pair of gloves
B. Adjust the patient's bed
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Record the patient's temperature
Answer: C
Gloves can become contaminated during patient care. Hand hygiene should be performed
immediately after glove removal.
8. A patient is on contact precautions. Which PPE would generally be required when
entering the patient's room for direct care?
A. Gloves and gown
,B. N95 respirator only
C. Sterile surgical gloves only
D. Shoe covers only
Answer: A
Contact precautions generally require gloves and a gown for direct patient contact or contact
with the patient's environment, according to facility policy.
9. A PCT notices that a patient's IV dressing is loose and the insertion site appears red.
What should the PCT do?
A. Remove the IV catheter
B. Apply antibiotic ointment
C. Report the finding to the nurse
D. Tighten the dressing independently
Answer: C
Redness and a loose dressing can indicate a potential IV-site complication. The PCT should not
independently manipulate or remove the IV unless specifically authorized by policy and
training.
10. When communicating with a patient who has hearing impairment, the PCT should
FIRST:
A. Shout from across the room
B. Speak while facing away from the patient
C. Face the patient and speak clearly at a normal pace
D. Speak rapidly so the conversation is shorter
Answer: C
Facing the patient allows the individual to use visual cues such as lip and facial movements
while clear speech improves communication.
11. Which position generally promotes maximum lung expansion for a patient experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Prone
B. High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Supine
Answer: B
High Fowler's position elevates the upper body and can facilitate chest expansion and
breathing.
, 12. A patient has been identified as having a high risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep the patient's personal items out of reach
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Encourage the patient to walk without assistance
D. Keep the bed in the highest position
Answer: B
Keeping the call light accessible allows the patient to request assistance and supports fall
prevention.
13. A PCT obtains a blood pressure reading that is significantly different from the patient's
previous readings. What is the BEST initial action?
A. Ignore the result if the patient feels well
B. Recheck the measurement using proper technique
C. Change the patient's medication
D. Delete the reading from the record
Answer: B
An unexpected reading should be verified using correct technique before being reported,
unless the patient's condition requires immediate intervention.
14. Which factor can cause an inaccurately high blood pressure reading?
A. Correct cuff size
B. Patient resting quietly
C. Cuff that is too small
D. Arm supported at heart level
Answer: C
A blood-pressure cuff that is too small can produce a falsely elevated reading.
15. When measuring a radial pulse, the PCT should use:
A. The thumb
B. The fingertips
C. The palm
D. The back of the hand
Answer: B
The fingertips are used to palpate the radial pulse because the thumb has its own pulse,
which can interfere with measurement.
