Complete Test Bank with Answer Guide – NHA PCT Exam Updated 2026/2027

COMPLETE TEST BANK WITH ANSWER GUIDE = = = = = =




– NHA PCT EXAM UPDATED 2026/2027
= = = =




=




Unit 1: Patient Care and Safety (Questions 1-40)
= = = = = = = =




=



Question 1: The normal adult oral temperature range is:
= = = = = = = = =




A. 96.8°F – 98.6°F = = =



B. 97.6°F – 99.6°F = = =



C. 98.6°F – 100.6°F = = =



D. 95.0°F – 97.0°F = = =




Correct Answer: B. 97.6°F – 99.6°F
= = = = = =




Rationale: Normal oral temperature averages 98.6°F with an
= = = = = = = =



acceptable range of 97.6°F to 99.6°F. Variations occur based on
= = = = = = = = = =



time of day, activity level, and individual differences. Temperatur
= = = = = = = =



es outside this range should be reported and evaluated .
= = = = = = = = = =




=

Question 2: A PCT should obtain an apical pulse for which
= = = = = = = = = = =



patients? (Select All That Apply)
= = = = =

,A. Infant =



B. Patient with irregular heart rhythm
= = = = =



C. Ambulatory adult without cardiac history
= = = = =



D. Patient taking cardiac medications (digoxin)
= = = = =



E. Patient with a weak radial pulse
= = = = = =




Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
= = = = = =




Rationale: Apical pulse is more accurate for irregular heart rhyth
= = = = = = = = =



ms, weak peripheral pulses, pediatric patients (infants), and patie
= = = = = = = =



nts on cardiac medications such as digoxin. Ambulatory adults with
= = = = = = = = =



out cardiac history can have radial pulse assessed .
= = = = = = = = =




=



Question 3: A patient's blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg on initial
= = = = = = = = = = =



measurement. The PCT should: = = = =




A. Report immediately to the nurse
= = = = =



B. Repeat after 5 minutes of rest using correct technique
= = = = = = = = =



C. Ignore and document as normal
= = = = =



D. Apply a smaller cuff
= = = =

,Correct Answer: B. Repeat after 5 minutes of rest using correct te
= = = = = = = = = = =



chnique =




Rationale: Elevated blood pressure readings should be verified wi
= = = = = = = =



th a repeat measurement after 5 minutes of rest using proper techn
= = = = = = = = = = =



ique (appropriate cuff size, arm at heart level). If still elevated, re
= = = = = = = = = = =



port to the nurse. Applying smaller cuff gives falsely high readings
= = = = = = = = = =



.
= =




=



Question 4: The normal adult respiratory rate is:
= = = = = = = =




A. 8-12 breaths per minute = = = =



B. 12-20 breaths per minute = = = =



C. 20-28 breaths per minute = = = =



D. 28-36 breaths per minute = = = =




Correct Answer: B. 12-20 breaths per minute
= = = = = = =




Rationale: Normal resting respiratory rate for adults is 12-
= = = = = = = =



20 breaths per minute. Rates outside this range may indicate respi
= = = = = = = = = =



ratory distress or underlying pathology and should be reported.
= = = = = = = = =




=



Question 5: The normal resting heart rate for an adult is:
= = = = = = = = = = =



A. 60-100 beats per minute = = = =

, B. 40-60 beats per minute = = = =



C. 100-120 beats per minute = = = =



D. 120-160 beats per minute = = = =




Correct Answer: A. 60-100 beats per minute
= = = = = = =




Rationale: Normal adult resting heart rate ranges from 60-
= = = = = = = =



100 beats per minute. Bradycardia is below 60 bpm, tachycardia
= = = = = = = = =



is above 100 bpm. Athletes may have resting heart rates below 6
= = = = = = = = = = = =



0. = =




=



Question 6: The normal SpO2 (oxygen saturation) range for a he
= = = = = = = = = =



althy adult is:
= = =




A. 85-90% =



B. 90-95% =



C. 95-100% =



D. 80-85% =




Correct Answer: C. 95-100%
= = = =




Rationale: Normal oxygen saturation is 95-
= = = = =



100%. Values below 95% should be reported; values below 90%
= = = = = = = = =



indicate significant hypoxia requiring immediate intervention .
= = = = = = = =




=