NCCT PCT EXAM QUESTIONS &
DETAILED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
PASSED 100% UPDATED VERSION
Which of the following should the patient care technician do when initiating first aid for a
patient with a second-degree burn? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
Apply moisturizing cream to the affected area.
Soak the affected area in Epsom salt.
Run cool water over affected area of intact skin.
Protect the burn from pressure or injury.
Drain large, intact blisters. - Correct Answer ✔✔ Run cool water over affected area of
intact skin., Protect the burn from pressure or injury.
Rationale: Cool water should be ran over the affected area of intact skin, and the burn
should be protected from pressure injury. Oil or ointment application increases the risk
of breaking blisters and increases the potential for infection. Intact skin is a first line of
defense in preventing infection, therefore the blisters should not be broken or drained,
and Epsom salt would not be used.
During a routine visit, a patient becomes very upset while discussing the recent death of
a spouse and suddenly faints. Which of the following actions should the patient care
technician take NEXT?
Protect the patient from injury.
Activate EMS.
Notify the physician.
Draw blood for laboratory tests. - Correct Answer ✔✔ Protect the patient from injury.
Rationale: Protecting the patient is the ultimate priority here. Quickly and carefully lay
the patient flat (in the supine position) with her head lower than her feet. Once you have
tended to the patient, stay with her to eliminate the potential for any injuries. Then call
the physician or other medical personnel to alert them to your situation. Fainting itself
does not constitute a reason for activating EMS (that would be necessary if the patient's
heart and/or breathing stopped). Phlebotomy is the last consideration; blood work is not
the main concern at this time.
Which of the following actions by the patient care technician is correct when
administering medication to a patient sublingually?
Placing the medication between the gum and cheek
Asking the patient to swallow the medication
Applying the medication directly to the skin
Placing the medication under the tongue - Correct Answer ✔✔ Placing the medication
under the tongue
,Rationale: Sublingual medication is absorbed systemically through intact mucous
membranes. Instruct the patient to place the medication under the tongue, sit upright
and swallow frequently until the medication dissolves. Ex. Nitroglycerin tablets.
The medical abbreviation meaning both ears is
AU.
Bilat.
AD.
AS. - Correct Answer ✔✔ AU.
Rationale: AU=both ears, AD=right ear, AS=left ear, Bilat=bilateral
The term oliguria is used to describe which of the following conditions?
Cystitis
Frequent urination
Low urine output
Renal calculi - Correct Answer ✔✔ Low urine output
Rationale: The kidneys make more or less urine, depending on what the body needs to
keep things in balance. If a patient urinates too much or not enough, it can sometimes
be a sign that something is wrong. Oliguria is when someone urinates less than usual.
For adults, that means less than 400 milliliters of urine a day.
An adult patient presents with fever, muscular pain, and congestion. Which of the
following is the appropriate response for the patient care technician following the
physician's orders?
Perform a rapid flu test
Place the patient in an exam room and provide a mask
Apply 10 liters of oxygen via non-rebreather
Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg po - Correct Answer ✔✔ Administer
acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg po
Rationale: Acetaminophen is known to relieve pain (an analgesic), reduce fever, and aid
in relieving nasal congestion. The patient care technician should administer 650 mg
orally of acetaminophen (Tylenol) since the patient is presenting with those three
symptoms. A rapid flu test would not be the appropriate action to take at this time
because the patient needs relief of the current symptoms before they worsen. The
patient does not need to be placed in an exam room with a mask, nor does he/she need
a non-rebreather mask. He/she is not showing any signs of hypoxia or respiratory
distress.
The patient care technician is obtaining a blood pressure measurement on a patient
with a right-sided mastectomy. At which of the following sites should the technician take
the blood pressure?
Right lower leg
Left lower leg
Right upper arm
Left upper arm - Correct Answer ✔✔ Left upper arm
,Rationale: After axillary lymph node clearance in patients with breast cancer, some
women experience lymphoedema and recurrent infections. To obtain accuracy of blood
pressure, it is recommended to use the opposite arm of surgery site.
Which of the following terms describes a wound that is pus-producing?
Parietal
Percutaneous
Pyogenic
Parenteral - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pyogenic
Rationale: The prefix pyo refers to pus, and the suffix -genic refers to the formation of,
therefore pyogenic means pus-producing. The term parietal refers to something that is
attached to or is touching a wall or cavity, and percutaneous means the skin was
punctured. When something is delivered through the parenteral route, it means it is not
given through the intestinal tract, and is delivered somewhere else in the body, like
through a feeding tube.
A pulse oximetry monitor measures which of the following?
Pulse pressure
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
Oxygen flow rate - Correct Answer ✔✔ Oxygen saturation
Rationale: A pulse oximetry monitor is a noninvasive measurement of the oxygen
saturation of a patient's arterial blood. Pulse pressure is the difference between the
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate is measured by counting the
patient's breaths, and oxygen flow rate is the set amount of oxygen that a patient is
receiving while wearing a nasal cannula or oxygen mask.
An adult patient with vital signs of T 37.0 C, P 72, R 18, B/P 192/102 mm Hg indicates
which of the following conditions?
Orthostatic hypotension
Hypoxia
Tachycardia
Hypertension - Correct Answer ✔✔ Hypertension
Rationale: These vital signs align with a patient experiencing hypertension (a.k.a. high
blood pressure). Both the systolic an asystolic readings are high. Postural hypotension
(orthostatic hypotension) is low blood pressure resulting when a patient stands after
sitting or lying down. Tachycardia refers to a high heart rate. A normal adult resting
pulse rate is 60-100 beats per minute, so this patient is within normal limits at 72.
Hypoxia translates to low oxygen levels and that was not indicated in these vitals.
Metoprolol (Lopressor) 40mg tab po bid is prescribed for a patient with hypertension.
The patient care technician should help the patient take the medication
twice per day.
daily.
every other day.
after meals. - Correct Answer ✔✔ twice per day.
, Rationale: bid=twice a day pc= after meals For patient safety reasons, daily and every
other day should be written out on the prescription.
How should the stoma be cleaned when performing ostomy care?
From the stoma outward
Toward the stoma
Slow, concentric circles
Inside the stoma - Correct Answer ✔✔ From the stoma outward
Rationale: To clean the area of skin around a stoma, it is best to use warm water, mild
soap, and a washcloth. Soaps and cleansers with oils, perfumes, and deodorants
should be avoided since they can sometimes cause skin problems and prevent the skin
barrier from sticking.
An adult patient presents for a follow-up visit one week after a ruptured appendectomy.
The patient care technician obtains the following measurements: T 36.9C (98.5F), P
110, R 28, B/P 88/56, O2 Sat 96%. Which of the following findings should be reported to
the provider? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Temperature
Pulse
Respirations
Blood pressure
O2 sat - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pulse, Respirations, Blood pressure
Rationale: The provider should be notified about the pulse, respirations, and blood
pressure. A normal pulse range is 60-100, a normal respiratory rate is 12-20, and a
normal blood pressure is 120/80. Therefore, all of these demonstrate abnormal,
reportable findings. The temperature is normal, and the oxygen saturation is also
normal.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should the patient care technician anticipate
using when taking a patient's blood pressure?
Sphygmomanometer
Otoscope
Speculum
Pulse oximeter - Correct Answer ✔✔ Sphygmomanometer
Rationale: A sphygmomanometer is used to auscultate and measure blood pressure
readings. An otoscope is used to examine the ear, a speculum is used to examine body
cavities, and a pulse oximeter is used to see what a person's oxygen saturation is in the
body.
The patient exhibits signs of anaphylaxis following an allergy injection. The patient care
technician should anticipate administration of
epinephrine.
diazepam.
insulin.
dextrose. - Correct Answer ✔✔ epinephrine.
DETAILED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
PASSED 100% UPDATED VERSION
Which of the following should the patient care technician do when initiating first aid for a
patient with a second-degree burn? (Select the two (2) correct answers.)
Apply moisturizing cream to the affected area.
Soak the affected area in Epsom salt.
Run cool water over affected area of intact skin.
Protect the burn from pressure or injury.
Drain large, intact blisters. - Correct Answer ✔✔ Run cool water over affected area of
intact skin., Protect the burn from pressure or injury.
Rationale: Cool water should be ran over the affected area of intact skin, and the burn
should be protected from pressure injury. Oil or ointment application increases the risk
of breaking blisters and increases the potential for infection. Intact skin is a first line of
defense in preventing infection, therefore the blisters should not be broken or drained,
and Epsom salt would not be used.
During a routine visit, a patient becomes very upset while discussing the recent death of
a spouse and suddenly faints. Which of the following actions should the patient care
technician take NEXT?
Protect the patient from injury.
Activate EMS.
Notify the physician.
Draw blood for laboratory tests. - Correct Answer ✔✔ Protect the patient from injury.
Rationale: Protecting the patient is the ultimate priority here. Quickly and carefully lay
the patient flat (in the supine position) with her head lower than her feet. Once you have
tended to the patient, stay with her to eliminate the potential for any injuries. Then call
the physician or other medical personnel to alert them to your situation. Fainting itself
does not constitute a reason for activating EMS (that would be necessary if the patient's
heart and/or breathing stopped). Phlebotomy is the last consideration; blood work is not
the main concern at this time.
Which of the following actions by the patient care technician is correct when
administering medication to a patient sublingually?
Placing the medication between the gum and cheek
Asking the patient to swallow the medication
Applying the medication directly to the skin
Placing the medication under the tongue - Correct Answer ✔✔ Placing the medication
under the tongue
,Rationale: Sublingual medication is absorbed systemically through intact mucous
membranes. Instruct the patient to place the medication under the tongue, sit upright
and swallow frequently until the medication dissolves. Ex. Nitroglycerin tablets.
The medical abbreviation meaning both ears is
AU.
Bilat.
AD.
AS. - Correct Answer ✔✔ AU.
Rationale: AU=both ears, AD=right ear, AS=left ear, Bilat=bilateral
The term oliguria is used to describe which of the following conditions?
Cystitis
Frequent urination
Low urine output
Renal calculi - Correct Answer ✔✔ Low urine output
Rationale: The kidneys make more or less urine, depending on what the body needs to
keep things in balance. If a patient urinates too much or not enough, it can sometimes
be a sign that something is wrong. Oliguria is when someone urinates less than usual.
For adults, that means less than 400 milliliters of urine a day.
An adult patient presents with fever, muscular pain, and congestion. Which of the
following is the appropriate response for the patient care technician following the
physician's orders?
Perform a rapid flu test
Place the patient in an exam room and provide a mask
Apply 10 liters of oxygen via non-rebreather
Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg po - Correct Answer ✔✔ Administer
acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg po
Rationale: Acetaminophen is known to relieve pain (an analgesic), reduce fever, and aid
in relieving nasal congestion. The patient care technician should administer 650 mg
orally of acetaminophen (Tylenol) since the patient is presenting with those three
symptoms. A rapid flu test would not be the appropriate action to take at this time
because the patient needs relief of the current symptoms before they worsen. The
patient does not need to be placed in an exam room with a mask, nor does he/she need
a non-rebreather mask. He/she is not showing any signs of hypoxia or respiratory
distress.
The patient care technician is obtaining a blood pressure measurement on a patient
with a right-sided mastectomy. At which of the following sites should the technician take
the blood pressure?
Right lower leg
Left lower leg
Right upper arm
Left upper arm - Correct Answer ✔✔ Left upper arm
,Rationale: After axillary lymph node clearance in patients with breast cancer, some
women experience lymphoedema and recurrent infections. To obtain accuracy of blood
pressure, it is recommended to use the opposite arm of surgery site.
Which of the following terms describes a wound that is pus-producing?
Parietal
Percutaneous
Pyogenic
Parenteral - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pyogenic
Rationale: The prefix pyo refers to pus, and the suffix -genic refers to the formation of,
therefore pyogenic means pus-producing. The term parietal refers to something that is
attached to or is touching a wall or cavity, and percutaneous means the skin was
punctured. When something is delivered through the parenteral route, it means it is not
given through the intestinal tract, and is delivered somewhere else in the body, like
through a feeding tube.
A pulse oximetry monitor measures which of the following?
Pulse pressure
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
Oxygen flow rate - Correct Answer ✔✔ Oxygen saturation
Rationale: A pulse oximetry monitor is a noninvasive measurement of the oxygen
saturation of a patient's arterial blood. Pulse pressure is the difference between the
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate is measured by counting the
patient's breaths, and oxygen flow rate is the set amount of oxygen that a patient is
receiving while wearing a nasal cannula or oxygen mask.
An adult patient with vital signs of T 37.0 C, P 72, R 18, B/P 192/102 mm Hg indicates
which of the following conditions?
Orthostatic hypotension
Hypoxia
Tachycardia
Hypertension - Correct Answer ✔✔ Hypertension
Rationale: These vital signs align with a patient experiencing hypertension (a.k.a. high
blood pressure). Both the systolic an asystolic readings are high. Postural hypotension
(orthostatic hypotension) is low blood pressure resulting when a patient stands after
sitting or lying down. Tachycardia refers to a high heart rate. A normal adult resting
pulse rate is 60-100 beats per minute, so this patient is within normal limits at 72.
Hypoxia translates to low oxygen levels and that was not indicated in these vitals.
Metoprolol (Lopressor) 40mg tab po bid is prescribed for a patient with hypertension.
The patient care technician should help the patient take the medication
twice per day.
daily.
every other day.
after meals. - Correct Answer ✔✔ twice per day.
, Rationale: bid=twice a day pc= after meals For patient safety reasons, daily and every
other day should be written out on the prescription.
How should the stoma be cleaned when performing ostomy care?
From the stoma outward
Toward the stoma
Slow, concentric circles
Inside the stoma - Correct Answer ✔✔ From the stoma outward
Rationale: To clean the area of skin around a stoma, it is best to use warm water, mild
soap, and a washcloth. Soaps and cleansers with oils, perfumes, and deodorants
should be avoided since they can sometimes cause skin problems and prevent the skin
barrier from sticking.
An adult patient presents for a follow-up visit one week after a ruptured appendectomy.
The patient care technician obtains the following measurements: T 36.9C (98.5F), P
110, R 28, B/P 88/56, O2 Sat 96%. Which of the following findings should be reported to
the provider? (Select the three (3) correct answers.)
Temperature
Pulse
Respirations
Blood pressure
O2 sat - Correct Answer ✔✔ Pulse, Respirations, Blood pressure
Rationale: The provider should be notified about the pulse, respirations, and blood
pressure. A normal pulse range is 60-100, a normal respiratory rate is 12-20, and a
normal blood pressure is 120/80. Therefore, all of these demonstrate abnormal,
reportable findings. The temperature is normal, and the oxygen saturation is also
normal.
Which of the following pieces of equipment should the patient care technician anticipate
using when taking a patient's blood pressure?
Sphygmomanometer
Otoscope
Speculum
Pulse oximeter - Correct Answer ✔✔ Sphygmomanometer
Rationale: A sphygmomanometer is used to auscultate and measure blood pressure
readings. An otoscope is used to examine the ear, a speculum is used to examine body
cavities, and a pulse oximeter is used to see what a person's oxygen saturation is in the
body.
The patient exhibits signs of anaphylaxis following an allergy injection. The patient care
technician should anticipate administration of
epinephrine.
diazepam.
insulin.
dextrose. - Correct Answer ✔✔ epinephrine.
