pct test study questions
& answers
A PCT is caring for a patient w COPD and is receiving oxygen therapy. The technician notes that
the patient appears restless and is short of breath. Which of the following actions should the
technician take? - ANSWERSnotify nurse immediately
The patient care technician attended an in-service about performing CPR on a patient. When
performing CPR, which of the following actions should the technician take? - ANSWERSApply 60
to 80 compressions per minute, followed by two short breaths
When collecting a venous sample, which of the following sites should the PCT attempt to draw
from first? - ANSWERSMedian cubital
A PCT is caring for a patient who has end-stage pancreatic cancer. The patient's family expresses
concern because the patient has refused admission to the hospice program and is seeking
additional medical treatment. Which of the following actions should the technician take? -
ANSWERSacknowledge the family's concern and notify the nurse
A PCT is preparing to obtain a 12-lead EKG for a patient who had a left arm amputation. In
which of the following locations should the technician attach the left arm lead? - ANSWERSLeft
deltoid
A PCT obtains a sputum specimen from a patient. The technician should expect the specimen to
have which of the following characteristics? - ANSWERSwatery consistency
A PCT should recognize that which of the following statements regarding preparation for blood
cultures is correct? - ANSWERSI will cleanse the area w/ chlorhexidine gluconate
, A PCT is performing an EKG for a patient who has a pacemaker. Which of the following controls
should be adjusted to ensure an accurate EKG tracing? - ANSWERSartifact filter
A PCT is performing ostomy care for a patient. Which of the following findings should the
technician report to the nurse? - ANSWERSthe stoma is leaking around the wafer
A CPT is preparing to obtain a 12-lead EKG for a patient who is being evaluated for chest pain in
the emergency department. Which of the following action should the technician take if the
patient expresses fear of the procedure? - ANSWERSadvise the patient that the test is painless
A PCT is reinforcing teaching w/ a patient who has a holter monitor. Which of the following
statements should the technician make? - ANSWERSavoid adjusting the electrodes during
monitoring period
A PCT is transporting a patient using a wheelchair. Which of the following actions should the
technician take? - ANSWERSensure the patients feet are placed on the footrests
A PCT is caring for a patient who is 24-hr postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty and
has a surgical wound. Which of the following should the technician identify as an indication of
potential wound infection? - ANSWERSincreased warmth around incision site
A PCt is preparing a patient for hospital discharge. The patient states "I am afraid to go back
home to my partner". Which of the following responses by the technician is appropriate? -
ANSWERScan you tell me if something happened that made you feel unsafe?
A PCT is preparing to ambulate a patient who requires the use of a gait belt. Which of the
following actions should the technician take? - ANSWERSapply the gait belt over the patient's
clothing at the waist
A PCT should identify that adjusting a patient's bed to be between 60 and 90 degrees will place
the patient in which of the following positions? - ANSWERSHigh Fowler's
& answers
A PCT is caring for a patient w COPD and is receiving oxygen therapy. The technician notes that
the patient appears restless and is short of breath. Which of the following actions should the
technician take? - ANSWERSnotify nurse immediately
The patient care technician attended an in-service about performing CPR on a patient. When
performing CPR, which of the following actions should the technician take? - ANSWERSApply 60
to 80 compressions per minute, followed by two short breaths
When collecting a venous sample, which of the following sites should the PCT attempt to draw
from first? - ANSWERSMedian cubital
A PCT is caring for a patient who has end-stage pancreatic cancer. The patient's family expresses
concern because the patient has refused admission to the hospice program and is seeking
additional medical treatment. Which of the following actions should the technician take? -
ANSWERSacknowledge the family's concern and notify the nurse
A PCT is preparing to obtain a 12-lead EKG for a patient who had a left arm amputation. In
which of the following locations should the technician attach the left arm lead? - ANSWERSLeft
deltoid
A PCT obtains a sputum specimen from a patient. The technician should expect the specimen to
have which of the following characteristics? - ANSWERSwatery consistency
A PCT should recognize that which of the following statements regarding preparation for blood
cultures is correct? - ANSWERSI will cleanse the area w/ chlorhexidine gluconate
, A PCT is performing an EKG for a patient who has a pacemaker. Which of the following controls
should be adjusted to ensure an accurate EKG tracing? - ANSWERSartifact filter
A PCT is performing ostomy care for a patient. Which of the following findings should the
technician report to the nurse? - ANSWERSthe stoma is leaking around the wafer
A CPT is preparing to obtain a 12-lead EKG for a patient who is being evaluated for chest pain in
the emergency department. Which of the following action should the technician take if the
patient expresses fear of the procedure? - ANSWERSadvise the patient that the test is painless
A PCT is reinforcing teaching w/ a patient who has a holter monitor. Which of the following
statements should the technician make? - ANSWERSavoid adjusting the electrodes during
monitoring period
A PCT is transporting a patient using a wheelchair. Which of the following actions should the
technician take? - ANSWERSensure the patients feet are placed on the footrests
A PCT is caring for a patient who is 24-hr postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty and
has a surgical wound. Which of the following should the technician identify as an indication of
potential wound infection? - ANSWERSincreased warmth around incision site
A PCt is preparing a patient for hospital discharge. The patient states "I am afraid to go back
home to my partner". Which of the following responses by the technician is appropriate? -
ANSWERScan you tell me if something happened that made you feel unsafe?
A PCT is preparing to ambulate a patient who requires the use of a gait belt. Which of the
following actions should the technician take? - ANSWERSapply the gait belt over the patient's
clothing at the waist
A PCT should identify that adjusting a patient's bed to be between 60 and 90 degrees will place
the patient in which of the following positions? - ANSWERSHigh Fowler's
