PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM
Patient Care Technician
Comprehensive Practice Questions
Clinical Skills & Patient Safety
Study Guide with Answers
PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM | Patient Care Technician Study Guide
,PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 1
Question 1
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-Fowler's
D. The patient's skin was flushed
ANSWER: B. The patient has a blood pressure of 84/62 mm Hg with cold hands and fingers
Question 2
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
ANSWER: B. You can ask the patient about his condition
Question 3
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 tube 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 specimen transport bag
ANSWER: C. Ensure the blood specimen transport bag has a liquid-tight closure
,PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 2
Question 4
A PCT is monitoring a patient who has severe hypertension. Which of the following findings
related to the patient's 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
ANSWER: C. The patient's lower limbs show pitting edema
Question 5
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
ANSWER: B. Tap the patient's shoulders and ask if they're okay
Question 6
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
ANSWER: C. AV node
, PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 3
Question 7
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
ANSWER: D. Blister-like appearance
Question 8
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
ANSWER: D. I live alone and I don't get many visitors
Question 9
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
ANSWER: D. Raise the patient's bed to the same level as the stretcher
Patient Care Technician
Comprehensive Practice Questions
Clinical Skills & Patient Safety
Study Guide with Answers
PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM | Patient Care Technician Study Guide
,PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 1
Question 1
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-Fowler's
D. The patient's skin was flushed
ANSWER: B. The patient has a blood pressure of 84/62 mm Hg with cold hands and fingers
Question 2
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
ANSWER: B. You can ask the patient about his condition
Question 3
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 tube 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 specimen transport bag
ANSWER: C. Ensure the blood specimen transport bag has a liquid-tight closure
,PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 2
Question 4
A PCT is monitoring a patient who has severe hypertension. Which of the following findings
related to the patient's 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
ANSWER: C. The patient's lower limbs show pitting edema
Question 5
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
ANSWER: B. Tap the patient's shoulders and ask if they're okay
Question 6
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
ANSWER: C. AV node
, PCT CERTIFICATION EXAM Page 3
Question 7
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
ANSWER: D. Blister-like appearance
Question 8
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
ANSWER: D. I live alone and I don't get many visitors
Question 9
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
ANSWER: D. Raise the patient's bed to the same level as the stretcher
