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PCT CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM 2024
NEWEST 1 50 QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFID ANSWERS (100% CORRECT) /A+
GRADE ASSURED
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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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. to ensure that samples are being disposed of using correct operating procedures D. to track the location of samples and date - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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? - CORRECT ANSWER-Check the respiratory rate
A. Explain that anger os 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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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. - CORRECT ANSWER-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.
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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-B. you can support yourself by holding onto my arms
A. every 4 hr B. every 8 hr C. every 12 hr D. every 24 hr - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-B. keep the specimens collected and draw the PTT
How frequently should a PCT disinfect an EKG machine? A. after every shift B. once weekly C. after every use D. once monthly - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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 - CORRECT ANSWER-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
D. remove gloves by pulling on the end of the gloves near the finger tips - CORRECT ANSWER-B. grab the outside of one cuff with other gloved hand A PCT in a hospital is preparing to sterilize equipment that was soiled with blood. Which of the following methods should the PCT take? A. bleach B. dry heat C. boiling water D. autoclave - CORRECT ANSWER-D. autoclave Which of the following terms refers to the complete destruction of all forms of micro-organisms when providing patient care? A. sterilization B. sanitization C. disinfection D. medical asepsis - CORRECT ANSWER-A. sterilization If a patient who has the flu is coughing, a PCT should understand that the cough is which of the following links in the chain of infection? A. entrance B. reservoir C. host D. mode of transmission - CORRECT ANSWER-D. mode of transmission A PCT is using a new disinfectant to clean a soiled mattress. The PCT notes a skull and crossbones symbol on the label of the disinfectant. Which of the following hazards does this symbol indicate? A. explosive B. flammable C. skin irritant D. acute toxins - CORRECT ANSWER-D. acute toxins
A PCT is providing oral care to a patient who wears upper and lower dentures. Which of the following actions should the technician take when reinserting the dentures? A. dry the dentures well before reinserting them B. brush the gums after replacing the dentures C. remove gloves to facilitate reinsertion of dentures D. replace the upper denture before the lower denture - CORRECT ANSWER-D. replace the upper denture before the lower denture Which of the following actions should a PCT take to verify the quality of venipuncture supplies before beginning a blood draw? A. determine that the tourniquet is the proper size B. check the vacuum of the tube C. inspect the integrity of the needle's seal D. verify that the adapter is the correct color - CORRECT ANSWER-C. inspect the integrity of the needle's seal A PCT is caring for a group of four patients. The technician should immediately notify a nurse for which of the following patients? A. a patient who reports being hungry B. a patient who reports chest pain C. a patient who requires bathing D. A patient who requires toileting - CORRECT ANSWER-B. a patient who reports chest pain A PCT should identify that which of the following lab test requires chain of custody protocol? A. activated clotting time B. blood alcohol level C. prothrombin time D. Platelet function - CORRECT ANSWER-B. blood alcohol level
