Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certification Exam 2025–2026 | 200+ Real
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | CNA-to-
PCT Career Advancement Prep Covering Vital Signs, EKG Basics,
Phlebotomy, Patient Safety, Infection Control, ADLs & Clinical Skills
Review
Question 1:
What is the primary responsibility of a Patient Care Technician?
• A) Administering medications
• B) Assisting patients with daily activities
• C) Performing surgical procedures
• D) Conducting diagnostic tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assisting patients with daily activities
Rationale: Patient Care Technicians primarily assist patients with activities of daily
living, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Question 2:
Which vital sign is considered the most critical indicator of a patient's immediate
health status?
• A) Blood pressure
• B) Heart rate
• C) Temperature
• D) Respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure is a key indicator as it reflects the pressure exerted by the
blood on the walls of the arteries and can indicate potential medical emergencies.
Question 3:
What is the appropriate response if a patient falls while in your care?
• A) Immediately help them up
• B) Call for help and assess the patient
• C) Leave them alone until help arrives
• D) Ignore it; they will get up themselves
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call for help and assess the patient
Rationale: It is essential to assess the patient for injuries and call for assistance rather
than moving them immediately, which could cause further injury.
Question 4:
When can a Patient Care Technician administer medications?
• A) When ordered by a physician
• B) Only if they received training and certification
• C) Both A and B
• D) Never
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Both A and B
Rationale: A PCT may administer medications only if properly trained and under the
supervision of a licensed healthcare provider, as per physician orders.
Question 5:
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for maintaining patient
confidentiality?
• A) Accessing patient records only as needed
• B) Discussing patient details in public areas
• C) Storing patient records securely
• D) Following HIPAA regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Discussing patient details in public areas
Rationale: Discussing patient details in public areas is a breach of confidentiality and
violates HIPAA regulations.
Question 6:
What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare?
• A) To save time during patient care
• B) To prevent the spread of infections
• C) To comply with hospital protocols
• D) To reduce the use of gloves
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To prevent the spread of infections
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is critical in healthcare as it significantly reduces the
transmission of pathogens, thereby preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Question 7:
Which of the following actions is appropriate when measuring a patient’s weight?
• A) Weighing the patient in their clothing
• B) Using the same scale for consistency
• C) Weighing the patient after a meal
• D) Performing the measurement only once
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using the same scale for consistency
Rationale: Consistency is crucial in monitoring weight changes, and using the same
scale minimizes variation in readings.
Question 8:
What is the most effective way to communicate with a visually impaired patient?
• A) Speak loudly
• B) Use hand gestures
• C) Describe everything verbally
• D) Write information on paper
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Describe everything verbally
Rationale: Effective communication with visually impaired patients involves verbal
descriptions, as they rely on auditory cues for understanding.
Question 9:
Which of the following is considered a high-risk condition that requires special
attention during patient care?
• A) Pregnancy
• B) Diabetes
• C) Cold or flu
• D) Mild headache
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Diabetes
, Rationale: Diabetes requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and potential
complications, making it a high-risk condition in patient care.
Question 10:
When handling biohazard materials, what is the most appropriate action?
• A) Dispose of them in regular trash
• B) Store them in a closed container
• C) Rinse them before disposal
• D) Leave them for housekeeping to handle
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Store them in a closed container
Rationale: Proper disposal of biohazard materials in closed containers prevents
contamination and protects healthcare workers and the environment.
Question 11:
What is the recommended position for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
• A) Supine
• B) Prone
• C) Fowlers
• D) Lateral
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Fowlers
Rationale: The Fowlers position allows for easier lung expansion and reduces pressure
on the diaphragm, improving breathing.
Question 12:
What should a Patient Care Technician do first if a patient is unresponsive?
• A) Check the pulse
• B) Call for emergency help
• C) Administer CPR
• D) Shake the patient to wake them up
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call for emergency help
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | CNA-to-
PCT Career Advancement Prep Covering Vital Signs, EKG Basics,
Phlebotomy, Patient Safety, Infection Control, ADLs & Clinical Skills
Review
Question 1:
What is the primary responsibility of a Patient Care Technician?
• A) Administering medications
• B) Assisting patients with daily activities
• C) Performing surgical procedures
• D) Conducting diagnostic tests
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assisting patients with daily activities
Rationale: Patient Care Technicians primarily assist patients with activities of daily
living, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Question 2:
Which vital sign is considered the most critical indicator of a patient's immediate
health status?
• A) Blood pressure
• B) Heart rate
• C) Temperature
• D) Respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure is a key indicator as it reflects the pressure exerted by the
blood on the walls of the arteries and can indicate potential medical emergencies.
Question 3:
What is the appropriate response if a patient falls while in your care?
• A) Immediately help them up
• B) Call for help and assess the patient
• C) Leave them alone until help arrives
• D) Ignore it; they will get up themselves
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call for help and assess the patient
Rationale: It is essential to assess the patient for injuries and call for assistance rather
than moving them immediately, which could cause further injury.
Question 4:
When can a Patient Care Technician administer medications?
• A) When ordered by a physician
• B) Only if they received training and certification
• C) Both A and B
• D) Never
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Both A and B
Rationale: A PCT may administer medications only if properly trained and under the
supervision of a licensed healthcare provider, as per physician orders.
Question 5:
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for maintaining patient
confidentiality?
• A) Accessing patient records only as needed
• B) Discussing patient details in public areas
• C) Storing patient records securely
• D) Following HIPAA regulations
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Discussing patient details in public areas
Rationale: Discussing patient details in public areas is a breach of confidentiality and
violates HIPAA regulations.
Question 6:
What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare?
• A) To save time during patient care
• B) To prevent the spread of infections
• C) To comply with hospital protocols
• D) To reduce the use of gloves
CORRECT ANSWER: B) To prevent the spread of infections
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is critical in healthcare as it significantly reduces the
transmission of pathogens, thereby preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Question 7:
Which of the following actions is appropriate when measuring a patient’s weight?
• A) Weighing the patient in their clothing
• B) Using the same scale for consistency
• C) Weighing the patient after a meal
• D) Performing the measurement only once
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using the same scale for consistency
Rationale: Consistency is crucial in monitoring weight changes, and using the same
scale minimizes variation in readings.
Question 8:
What is the most effective way to communicate with a visually impaired patient?
• A) Speak loudly
• B) Use hand gestures
• C) Describe everything verbally
• D) Write information on paper
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Describe everything verbally
Rationale: Effective communication with visually impaired patients involves verbal
descriptions, as they rely on auditory cues for understanding.
Question 9:
Which of the following is considered a high-risk condition that requires special
attention during patient care?
• A) Pregnancy
• B) Diabetes
• C) Cold or flu
• D) Mild headache
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Diabetes
, Rationale: Diabetes requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and potential
complications, making it a high-risk condition in patient care.
Question 10:
When handling biohazard materials, what is the most appropriate action?
• A) Dispose of them in regular trash
• B) Store them in a closed container
• C) Rinse them before disposal
• D) Leave them for housekeeping to handle
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Store them in a closed container
Rationale: Proper disposal of biohazard materials in closed containers prevents
contamination and protects healthcare workers and the environment.
Question 11:
What is the recommended position for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
• A) Supine
• B) Prone
• C) Fowlers
• D) Lateral
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Fowlers
Rationale: The Fowlers position allows for easier lung expansion and reduces pressure
on the diaphragm, improving breathing.
Question 12:
What should a Patient Care Technician do first if a patient is unresponsive?
• A) Check the pulse
• B) Call for emergency help
• C) Administer CPR
• D) Shake the patient to wake them up
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Call for emergency help
