Annual PCT Exam
Questions & Answers
You have been asked by the charge nurse to cannulate the new AV fistula of a patient, but the
patient comes into treatment 15 min late and it's time to take your break. Can you ask a fellow
PCT to cannulate the patient? - ANSWERSNo. A task delegated by the licensed nurse to a non-
licensed teammate cannot be redelegated by this teammate.
Poor or incomplete documentation: - ANSWERSwill open an attack on your care in the event of
an adverse patient outcome.
What is the purpose of professional boundaries? - ANSWERSThey keep the relationship
between you and your patient appropriate and safe.
Discussing personal problems with your patients: - ANSWERSis considered unprofessional
behavior.
Attempting to remove a large amount of fluid weight gain from the patient: - ANSWERScan lead
to hypovolemia during the treatment which is associated with an increased mortality rate.
When sodium loading occurs during the dialysis treatment: - ANSWERSIt leads to an increase in
thirst and larger fluid weight gains with hypertension between treatments and can contribute to
headaches after the treatment.
During data collection, a patient mentions her bowel movements have been looking quite dark
the last two days and asks if this could be caused by something she ate. You: - ANSWERSinform
the nurse to assess the patient prior to treatment initiation.
, How long prior to initiating the hemodialysis treatment should the initial loading dose of
heparin be administered through the venous fistula needle or venous port of the central venous
catheter (CVC) to anticoagulated the patient? - ANSWERSAt least 3 to 5 minutes prior to
treatment initiation.
Are patients allowed to take over the counter medications? - ANSWERSThey do not require a
physician order but should be approved by the nephrologist.
Prior to each medication preparation, the medication preparation surface should be disinfected
with what? - ANSWERS1:100 Bleach solution or approved disinfectant
An opened multidose vial may be kept for how many days? - ANSWERS28
What is NOT an acceptable assignment for a PCT working in a facility that cares for patients with
Hepatitis B infection (HBV+)? - ANSWERSCaring for HBV+ and susceptible patients at the same
time
What is the standard on fingernails? - ANSWERSFingernail length should not exceed more than
1/4 inch and traditional nail polish that is not chipped may be worn.
To make a 1:10 bleach solution for cleaning gross blood spills, you would combine: - ANSWERS1
part bleach with 9 parts water
Cleaning blood pressure cuffs between patients: - ANSWERSRemoves microorganisms such as
MRSA or VRE that may be colonized in a patient's axillary area.
Cleaning and disinfecting priming buckets after each treatment is needed for what reason? -
ANSWERSIt is required to decrease gram-negative bacterial growth which may occur in
solutions such as water.
Questions & Answers
You have been asked by the charge nurse to cannulate the new AV fistula of a patient, but the
patient comes into treatment 15 min late and it's time to take your break. Can you ask a fellow
PCT to cannulate the patient? - ANSWERSNo. A task delegated by the licensed nurse to a non-
licensed teammate cannot be redelegated by this teammate.
Poor or incomplete documentation: - ANSWERSwill open an attack on your care in the event of
an adverse patient outcome.
What is the purpose of professional boundaries? - ANSWERSThey keep the relationship
between you and your patient appropriate and safe.
Discussing personal problems with your patients: - ANSWERSis considered unprofessional
behavior.
Attempting to remove a large amount of fluid weight gain from the patient: - ANSWERScan lead
to hypovolemia during the treatment which is associated with an increased mortality rate.
When sodium loading occurs during the dialysis treatment: - ANSWERSIt leads to an increase in
thirst and larger fluid weight gains with hypertension between treatments and can contribute to
headaches after the treatment.
During data collection, a patient mentions her bowel movements have been looking quite dark
the last two days and asks if this could be caused by something she ate. You: - ANSWERSinform
the nurse to assess the patient prior to treatment initiation.
, How long prior to initiating the hemodialysis treatment should the initial loading dose of
heparin be administered through the venous fistula needle or venous port of the central venous
catheter (CVC) to anticoagulated the patient? - ANSWERSAt least 3 to 5 minutes prior to
treatment initiation.
Are patients allowed to take over the counter medications? - ANSWERSThey do not require a
physician order but should be approved by the nephrologist.
Prior to each medication preparation, the medication preparation surface should be disinfected
with what? - ANSWERS1:100 Bleach solution or approved disinfectant
An opened multidose vial may be kept for how many days? - ANSWERS28
What is NOT an acceptable assignment for a PCT working in a facility that cares for patients with
Hepatitis B infection (HBV+)? - ANSWERSCaring for HBV+ and susceptible patients at the same
time
What is the standard on fingernails? - ANSWERSFingernail length should not exceed more than
1/4 inch and traditional nail polish that is not chipped may be worn.
To make a 1:10 bleach solution for cleaning gross blood spills, you would combine: - ANSWERS1
part bleach with 9 parts water
Cleaning blood pressure cuffs between patients: - ANSWERSRemoves microorganisms such as
MRSA or VRE that may be colonized in a patient's axillary area.
Cleaning and disinfecting priming buckets after each treatment is needed for what reason? -
ANSWERSIt is required to decrease gram-negative bacterial growth which may occur in
solutions such as water.
