PCT Certification Exam 2024: Practice Questions and Answers, Quizzes of Nursing

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PCT Certification Exam 2024 QUESTIONS AND

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A patient care technician is taking a patient's pulse oximetry reading. The technician cannot get the reading to appear on the monitor. Which of the following could be the cause? A. the patient is running a fever B. the patient has a blood pressure of 84/62 mm Hg with cold hands and fingers C. the patient was elevated in semi-fowlers

D. the patient's skin was flushed - ✔✔ B. the patient has a blood

pressure of 84/62 mm Hg with cold hands and fingers A PCT is caring for a patient whose daughter is visiting. The daughter asks about the health of the patient's roommate. Which of the following statements by the PCT is an appropriate response? A. I'll get the nurse B. You can ask the patient about his condition C. I'll send a request to the medical records department

D. I need you to fax over a written request - ✔✔ B. You can ask the

patient about his condition A PCT is providing instructions to a newly hired technician about transporting and handling blood specimens. Which of the following instructions should the technician include?

A. avoid inverting a specimen tube if it includes an additive B. ensure the blood in the specimen tub maintains contact with a tube stopper C. ensure the blood specimen transport bag has a liquid-tight closure D. avoid wearing gloves when carrying the specimens transport bag -

✔✔ C. ensure the blood specimen transport bag has a liquid-tight

closure A PCT is monitoring a patient who has severe hypertension. Which of the following findings is related to the patients condition should the PCT report to the nurse immediately? A. the patient reports stiffness in his hands and feet B. the patient needs help lifting his legs onto his bed C. the patient's lower limbs show pitting edema

D. the patient's fingers are thick and fat - ✔✔ C. the patient's lower

limbs show pitting edema A PCT is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes unresponsive. Which of the following actions should the technician take first? A. check the movement of the patient's chest for 10 seconds B. tap the patient's shoulders and ask if they're okay C. start chest compressions after placing the patient flat

D. notify the emergency response team - ✔✔ B. tap the patient's

shoulders and ask if they're okay

Which of the following structures of the heart is immediately affected if the SA node fails? A. bundle of HIS B. purkinje fibers C. AV node

D. interventricular septum - ✔✔ C. AV node

A PCT is caring for a patient who has a stage 2 pressure ulcer. Which of the following findings should the PCT expect? A. skin that is intact and nonblanchable B. tissue loss with exposed bone C. visible subcutaneous fat

D. blister-like appearance - ✔✔ D. blister-like appearance

A PCT is assisting with the physical examination of an older patient. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates a risk factor for elder abuse? A. i sometimes forget where i put my cell phone B. i am not able to see quite as well as i used to C. i am able to walk well using a cane

D. i live alone and i don't get many visitors - ✔✔ D. i live alone and i

don't get many visitors

A PCT is preparing to transport a patient via a stretcher. Which of the following actions should the technician take when transferring the patient from a bed to the stretcher? A. roll the sheets away from the patient B. remove the patient's IV and indwelling catheter C. instruct the patient to put their hands by their side

D. raise the patient's bed to the same level as the stretcher - ✔✔ D.

raise the patient's bed to the same level as the stretcher A PCT should identify that which of the following is the most commonly used paper speed for an EKG monitor? A. 10 mm/sec B. 50 mm/sec C. 25 mm/sec

D. 5 mm/sec - ✔✔ C. 25 mm/sec

A PCT has just collected a blood specimen from a patient. For which of the following reasons should the technician invert the collection tubes that contain anticoagulant immediately following a blood collection? A. to encourage the mixing of hemoglobin and plasma B. to prevent clotting of the blood C. to prevent blood from mixing with the additives

D. to encourage sedimentation within the collection tubes - ✔✔ B. to

prevent clotting of the blood A PCT should recognize that chain of custody is used for which of the following reasons? A. to follow methods of collection with samples and data B. to guarantee the identification and integrity of samples C. to ensure that samples are being disposed of using correct operating procedures

D. to track the location of samples and date - ✔✔ B. to guarantee the

identification and integrity of samples A PCT is caring for a patient who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The patient asks the technician to demonstrate how to give an insulin injection. Which of the following statements should the technician make? A. I will inform the nurse about your request regarding the injection B. we should wait for your family because they should also learn about how to give the injection C. the best time to get the injection is before breakfast, so we can do it at that time D. i think you should look for information online about how to

administer the injection - ✔✔ A. I will inform the nurse about your

request regarding the injection

A patient presents alert and oriented, but a PCT finds that all the waveforms are negative in lead 1. The PCT should check the cable connections for which of the following limb electrodes? A. left leg and right leg B. left arm and leg C. right arm and left leg

D. right arm and left arm - ✔✔ D. right arm and left arm

A PCT is preparing to transport a patient using a wheelchair. Which of the following actions should the technician take when assisting that patient out of bed? A. have the patient push off the bed using his hands when prompted B. place the wheelchair 1m from the patient's bed C. place the wheelchair on the patient's weaker side D. instruct the patient to place his arms around her neck for support -

✔✔ A. have the patient push off the bed using his hands when

prompted A PCT is caring for a patient who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The PCT notes that the patient's pulse oximetry level is 91%. which of the following actions should the PCT take? A. report the pulse oximetry level to a nurse B. turn the pulse oximetry machine off C. instruct the patient to take deep breaths

D. increase the patient's oxygen level to 3L/min - ✔✔ A. report the

pulse oximetry level to a nurse A PCT is assisting a nurse to perform an aseptic wound dressing change for a patient who has a stage 4 pressure ulcer. Which of the following actions should the technician take? A. don new gloves after removing the soiled dressing B. place the new dressing on the patient's wound C. dispose of the soiled dressing in a trash can

D. use sterile gloves to remove soiled dressing - ✔✔ A. don new gloves

after removing the soiled dressing A PCT is assisting with the admission of a patient who has hearing loss. Which of the following actions should the technician take when communicating with the patient? A. speak to the patient in a raised voice B. sit next to the patient when speaking C. write questions and instructions on a notepad for the patient

D. overenunciate words when speaking to the patient - ✔✔ C. write

questions and instructions on a notepad for the patient which of the following actions should the PCT take when preparing to transfer a patient from a bed to a stretcher? A. elevate the bed to a position equal to the stretcher

B. elevate the bed lower than the stretcher C. reaching across the stretcher to assist the patient

D. elevate the bed higher than the stretcher - ✔✔ A. elevate the bed to

a position equal to the stretcher During a stress test, a PCT notices the patient appears to be hyperventilating. which of the following is an appropriate course of

action for the technician? - ✔✔ Check the respiratory rate

A PCT is assisting a patient to take self-administered medications. The PCT should recognize that which of the following medications should not be crushed? A. scored tablet B. enteric-coated C. intradermal

D. parental - ✔✔ B. enteric-coated

A PCT receives orders to draw an infant screening card, O2 levels, bilirubin, and DNA. which of the following should be drawn first? A. O2 levels B. bilirubin C. DNA

D. screening card - ✔✔ A. O2 levels

A patient loses consciousness. The EKG tracing reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which of the following should the PCT do first? A. notify the physician of the arrest B. call for help and begin CPR C. go get the automated external defibrillator

D. administer oxygen - ✔✔ B. call for help and begin CPR

A CPCT is collecting a stool specimen from a newly admitted patient. The CPCT should recognize that which of the following findings could be a sign of an upper gastrointestinal disorder? A. Green Stool B. Red Stool C. Black, tarry stool

D. Yellow, runny stool - ✔✔ C. Black, tarry stool

A CPCT is providing palliative care to a patient. The patient's family expresses feelings of anger and hopelessness. Which of the following actions should the CPCT take? A. Explain that anger is the first coping mechanism everyone experiences during grief. B. Refer the family to the charge nurse C. Recommend that the patient talk to social service.

D. Listen when the Family is ready to talk. - ✔✔ D. Listen when the

family is ready to talk. A CPCT is caring for a patient who has anxiety during venipuncture. Which of the following should the CPCT recognize as an appropriate response? A. Perform venipuncture as quickly as possible. B. Explain the procedure before beginning the venipuncture. C. Show the patient the equipment in detail and perform the venipuncture. D. Give the patient an informational brochure and perform the

venipuncture. - ✔✔ B. Explain the procedure before beginning the

venipuncture. A technician is performing an EKG in a hospital setting. The patient becomes unresponsive, stops breathing, and does not have a pulse. Which of the following would be the first appropriate step? A. Place the patient in the recovery position. B. Start chest compressions. C. Perform rescue breathing.

D. Retrieve the automated external defibrillator. - ✔✔ B. Start chest

compressions. A CPCT should recognize that a patient must avoid deep-breathing and coughing exercises after which of the following surgeries?

A. Heart surgery B. Knee-replacement C. Ileostomy surgery

D. Eye surgery - ✔✔ D. Eye surgery

A CPCT is caring for a patient who has an order for tobramycin (Tobrex) level to be drawn 1 hr after dose. The medication has been ordered for

1100. Which of the following actions should the CPCT take? A. Draw the blood at 1100. B. Check with the nurse. C. Contact the laboratory.

D. Ask the patient. - ✔✔ D. Ask the patient.

A CPCT is caring for four patients. Which of the following findings should the CPCT report to the nurse? A. A patient is identified with polyuria and a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL. B. A patient is identified with vertigo and a blood glucose of 90 mg/dL. C. A patient is identified with tinnitus and a blood glucose of 70 mg/dL. D. A patient is identified with fatigue and a blood glucose of 120 mg/dL.

• ✔✔ A. A patient is identified with polyuria and a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL.

A CPCT is caring for a patient who is to receive continuous tube feedings. the CPCT should place the patient into which of the following positions? A. Semi-Fowler's B. High-Fowler's C. Supine

D. Prone - ✔✔ A. Semi-Fowler's

A CPCT is working in a facility when the fire alarm goes off. Which of the following actions should the CPCT take first? A. Contain the fire by closing all the doors. B. Consult the fire safety routes. C. Announce a code over the intercom system.

D. Extinguish the fire. - ✔✔ A. Contain the fire by closing all the doors.

A CPCT is drawing five blood collection tubes. At which of the following times should the technician release the tourniquet? A. After the draw is complete. B. While the last tube if filling with blood. C. Within 1 minute of application.

D. Between 2 and 3 minutes of application. - ✔✔ C. Within 1 minute of

application.

Which of the following procedural steps for a finger stick should the CPCT do first? A. Cleanse the site with an antiseptic wipe. B. Select the appropriate part of the third or fourth finger. C. Position the blade of the lancet across the lines of the fingertip

D. Confirm the correct identity of the patient. - ✔✔ D. Confirm the

correct identity of the patient. Which of the following findings should a PCT report to a nurse? A. a 1-year-old patient who has a pulse rate of 50 B. A 12-year-old patient who has a pulse rate of 76 C. A 40-year-old patient who has a pulse rate of 88

D. An 89-year-old patient who has a pulse rate of 85 - ✔✔ A. a 1-year-

old patient who has a pulse rate of 50 A PCT is assisting with the care of a patient who is receiving a blood tranfusion. which of the following vital signs should the PCT report first? A. a drop in blood pressure B. an elevated blood pressure C. an elevated temperature

D. a drop in temperature - ✔✔ C. an elevated temperature

A PCT should recognize that which of the following agencies ensures safe work environments? A. CDC B. FDA C. OSHA

D. DOH - ✔✔ C. OSHA

A PCT is caring for a patient who has an ostomy. Which of the following actions should the technician take when providing ostomy care? A. use toilet paper to wipe around the stoma B. wipe the area around the stoma vigorously when cleaning C. Use hot water to clean around the stoma

D. apply a bag that is 3.8 cm - ✔✔ A. use toilet paper to wipe around

the stoma A PCT is caring for a patient who requires oral suctioning. Which of the following actions should the technician take? A. wearing sterile gloves while suctioning the patient B. wait 30 seconds between suctioning attempts C. limit suctioning to no more than 15 seconds at a time

D. insert the suction catheter into the patient's throat - ✔✔ C. limit

suctioning to no more than 15 seconds at a time

A PCT enters the room of a patient who is receiving oxygen and finds the patient's nasal canal on the floor. Which of the following actions should the technician take? A. obtain a new cannula, connect it, and place it on the patient B. clean the cannula with soap and water and assist the patient to put it back on C. check the cannula for damage and if there is none, place it back on the patient D. check that the cannula's tubing is long enough and assist the patient

to put it back on - ✔✔ A. obtain a new cannula, connect it, and place it

on the patient A PCT is preparing to determine the pulse rate of a patient who has atrial fibrillation. Which of the following methods should the technician use? A. manually, using the apical area B. manually, using the radial area C. electronically, using a pulse oximeter

D. electronically, using an EKG machine - ✔✔ A. manually, using the

apical area Which of the following assistive devices should a PCT use to improve vertebral alignment in a patient who is immobile? A. trapeze bar B. side rail

C. bed board

D. wedge pillow - ✔✔ C. bed board

A PCT is assisting during mealtime with a patient who is at risk for dysphagia. The PCT should identify that which of the following foods should be calculated as fluid intake and output record? A. sliced banana B. scrambled eggs C. mashed potatoes

D. chocolate pudding - ✔✔ D. chocolate pudding

A PCT is reinforcing teaching about using an incentive spirometer with a patient. Which of the following instructions should the PCT include? A. you should be in the prone position when using the incentive spirometer B. the goal is to get the ball to rise in the chamber of the incentive spirometer C. blow into the incentive spirometer to make the ball move

D. you should use the incentive spirometer every 12 hours - ✔✔ B. the

goal is to get the ball to rise in the chamber of the incentive spirometer A PCT is preparing to assist a patient to ambulate using a gate belt. Which of the following statements should the PCT make?

A. i will apply the gait belt under your arms B. you can support yourself by holding onto my arms C. you should walk slightly behind me

D. I will support you by walking on your stronger side - ✔✔ B. you can

support yourself by holding onto my arms A PCT has a conflict with another technician. Which of the following actions should the technician take first? A. discuss these concerns with the other technicians in private B. inform a supervisor about the conflict C. inform the human resources department about the conflict

D. discuss these concerns with the nurse manager - ✔✔ A. discuss these

concerns with the other technicians in private A nurse instructs a PCT to perform a procedure. The PCT then considers whether the procedure is within their scope of practice. Which of the following the rights of delegation is the technician following? A. the right task B. the right circumstance C. the right direction

D. the right supervision - ✔✔ A. the right task

A PCT should identify that patients benefit from the use of electronic health record systems in which of the following ways?

A. the patient can review real-time charting about their medical care B. the patient receives improved coordination of care C. these systems are similar enough that special training is not required across facilities D. these systems provide documentation for patients who might be

involved in medical malpractice lawsuits - ✔✔ B. the patient receives

improved coordination of care A PCT should identify that which of the following represents the first link in the chain of infection? A. infectious agent B. portal of entry C. mode of transmission

D. susceptible agent - ✔✔ A. infectious agent

A PCT is assisting in the care of patient who has a wound left to heal by way of granulation. How often should this wound be redressed? A. every 4 hr B. every 8 hr C. every 12 hr

D. every 24 hr - ✔✔ D. every 24 hr

A PCT is manually transferring a patient who has right-side weakness from the bed to the wheelchair. Which of the following methods should the technician use to promote proper body mechanics? A. have the patient wrap her arms around his neck, bend at the waist, and lift using his back muscles B. have the patient hold his hands, stand using weak side first, while he supports the patient's strong side C. ask the patient to lean backwards in the bed, grasp the front of the transfer belt, pull up, and transfer into the wheelchair D. grasp the back of the transfer belt and have the patient stand using

stronger side while lifting with legs and keeping back straight - ✔✔ D.

grasp the back of the transfer belt and have the patient stand using stronger side while lifting with legs and keeping back straight A PCT is changing a patient's bedding and receives a needlestick. Which of the following actions should the PCT take first? A. visit the occupational health facility B. complete an incident report C. wash the affected area with antimicrobial soap

D. report the incident to supervisor - ✔✔ C. wash the affected area

with antimicrobial soap A PCT is caring for a patient who is in the acceptance stage of the grieving process. Which of the following actions should the PCT take? A. stay with the patient and allow them to talk or remain silent

B. ask the patient about their family to divert their attention C. teach the patient stress management techniques to avoid feelings of anger

D. reassure the patient that they still have good times ahead - ✔✔ A.

stay with the patient and allow them to talk or remain silent A PCT must invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent which of the following? A. hemolysis B. clotting C. hemconcentration

D. reflux - ✔✔ B. clotting

A PCT is caring for a patient who is 8 hr postoperative following repair of a fractured femor. Which of the following vital signs should the technician reports to a nurse? A. temperature 36.6 C (97.8 F) B. pulse rate 72/min C. Blood pressure 180/101 mm Hg

D. respiratory rate 18/min - ✔✔ C. Blood pressure 180/101 mm Hg

a PCT is caring for a patient who is at risk for pressure ulcers. Which of the following actions should the PCT take? A. reposition the patient every 2 hr

B. avoid using powders on the patients skin C. avoid providing massages for the patients

D. place the head of the patient's bed at a 45 angle - ✔✔ A. reposition

the patient every 2 hr A PCT has orders to collect blood cultures, CBC, PTT, and an iron panel. He forgets to draw for the PTT. Which of the following actions should the PCT take? A. discard the specimens and redraw B. keep the specimens collected and draw the PTT C. call another technician and notify the supervisor

D. draw a discard tube and redraw blood cultures and blue top - ✔✔ B.

keep the specimens collected and draw the PTT A provider requests that a PCT collect blood specimens from a patient for blood cultures, hematology, and coagulation studies. Which of the following should the technician fill first when performing the venipuncture? A. lavender tube B. red tube C. light blue tube

D. blood cultures - ✔✔ D. blood cultures

A PCT is assisting a nurse with the care for a patient who has recently given birth vaginally. Which of the following bathing techniques should the technician use? A. partial bed bath B. complete bed bath C. Cold water tub bath

D. Sitz bath - ✔✔ D. Sitz bath

A PCT should identify that which of the following provides residents in long-term care facilities with the right to be free of physical or psychological abuse? A. patients' bill of rights B. omnibus budget reconciliation act C. health insurance portability and accountability act

D. Occupational safety and health administration - ✔✔ B. omnibus

budget reconciliation act A PCT is to collect a 2 hr postprandial glucose by dermal puncture. Upon entering the room, she sees the patients pushing away the overbed table with the lunch tray still on it. Which of the following actions should the PCT make? A. ask the patient if he has ate anything in the past 2 hr B. mark the test as random instead of 2 hr postprandial C. contact the patient's provider

D. Perform the test and mark as 2 hr postprandial - ✔✔ A. ask the

patient if he has ate anything in the past 2 hr How frequently should a PCT disinfect an EKG machine? A. after every shift B. once weekly C. after every use

D. once monthly - ✔✔ C. after every use

A PCT is preparing to place electrodes for an EKG on a patient who has large breasts. In which of the following locations should the technician place the electrodes for V4 and V5? A. in the closest position possible to normal, on top of the breast B. in the closest position possible to normal, underneath the breast C. on the lateral surface of the breast

D. on the medial surface of the breast - ✔✔ B. in the closest position

possible to normal, underneath the breast A PCT is assisting a nurse to bath a patient who has a colostomy. Which of the following cleansing agent should the PCT use to clean the skin around the stoma? A. warm water B. 0.9% sodium chloride C. sterile water

D. hydrogen peroxide - ✔✔ A. warm water

A PCT is transporting a blood specimen that is wrapped in aluminum foil. The PCT should identify that the specimen is wrapped in aluminum foil for which of the following reasons? A. to keep the specimen warm B. to shield the patient information C. to protect the specimen from light

D. to insulate the specimen from ambient air - ✔✔ C. to protect the

specimen from light A PCT is caring for a patient who is receiving an enteral feeding via an NG tube. In which of the following positions should the PCT place the patient? A. supine B. semi-fowler's C. trendelenburg

D. orthopneic - ✔✔ B. semi-fowler's

A PCT should identify that a health care facility's infection control program is required by which of the following institutions? A. centers for disease control and prevention B. centers for medicare and medicaid services C. the joint commission

D. clinical and laboratory standards institute - ✔✔ C. the joint

commission A PCT is caring for a patient who is receiving hospice care. The patient states that she wants to stay alive long enough to see her first grandchild, who is due to be born in a few months. Which of the following stages of grief does this statement reflect? A. acceptance B. denial C. depression

D. bargaining - ✔✔ D. bargaining

A PCT is performing a venipuncture for a patient and observes a hematoma developing at the needle insertion site. Which of the following actions should the PCT take? A. observe the site for 3 min to see if the hematoma worsens B. remove the needle while keeping the tourniquet in place C. apply pressure to the site for a minimum of 5 min

D. continue the blood collection and send to the lab for analysis - ✔✔ C.

apply pressure to the site for a minimum of 5 min A PCT should identify that which of the following terms is used when referring to infections that can be spread to patients? A. hospital-attained infections