This is the free PCT Practice Test 5 in our series of six Practice Tests. It comprises 40 multiple-choice questions covers all the domain that include Direct Patient Care , Professional Responsibilities , Safety and Infection Control , Phlebotomy and ECG/EKG with in-depth explanations.
These free PCT Practice questions are designed to assist you in preparing for Your Patient Care Technician certification examination.
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Test Instructions
No. of Questions: 40
Questions: Multiple choice with 4 options (A, B, C, D)
Passing Score: 70% or higher
Review: You can flag questions for review and return to them
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- Question 1 of 40
1. Question
Patient complains of severe pain after surgery but refuses pain medication. You should:
CorrectRespect patient autonomy while exploring reasons for refusal and offering non-pharmacological comfort measures. Document refusal and notify nurse.
IncorrectRespect patient autonomy while exploring reasons for refusal and offering non-pharmacological comfort measures. Document refusal and notify nurse.
- Question 2 of 40
2. Question
You accidentally see celebrity patient’s medical information. Your obligation is:
CorrectCelebrity patients have same privacy rights as all patients. Confidentiality breaches involving public figures often receive extra scrutiny and penalties.
IncorrectCelebrity patients have same privacy rights as all patients. Confidentiality breaches involving public figures often receive extra scrutiny and penalties.
- Question 3 of 40
3. Question
Patient becomes combative during blood draw. You should:
CorrectPatient safety comes first. Try de-escalation but stop procedure if patient becomes agitated or combative. Get help rather than risking injury.
IncorrectPatient safety comes first. Try de-escalation but stop procedure if patient becomes agitated or combative. Get help rather than risking injury.
- Question 4 of 40
4. Question
Patient vomits blood during procedure. Your first concern should be:
CorrectHematemesis (bloody vomit) poses aspiration risk. Priority is maintaining airway and breathing while getting immediate medical help.
IncorrectHematemesis (bloody vomit) poses aspiration risk. Priority is maintaining airway and breathing while getting immediate medical help.
- Question 5 of 40
5. Question
During stress test patient reports severe chest pain and shortness of breath. You should:
CorrectSevere symptoms during stress testing suggest cardiac emergency. Stop test immediately and get emergency help – cardiac events can be triggered by exercise stress.
IncorrectSevere symptoms during stress testing suggest cardiac emergency. Stop test immediately and get emergency help – cardiac events can be triggered by exercise stress.
- Question 6 of 40
6. Question
Family member offers you money for providing ‘extra special care’ to their relative. You should:
CorrectGifts and tips create conflicts of interest. Politely decline and explain that excellent care is provided to all patients as part of professional responsibilities.
IncorrectGifts and tips create conflicts of interest. Politely decline and explain that excellent care is provided to all patients as part of professional responsibilities.
- Question 7 of 40
7. Question
Patient has visible track marks on arms and admits to IV drug use. You should:
CorrectIV drug users have higher risk of bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis). Use standard precautions strictly and consider this risk when selecting sites.
IncorrectIV drug users have higher risk of bloodborne pathogens (HIV, Hepatitis). Use standard precautions strictly and consider this risk when selecting sites.
- Question 8 of 40
8. Question
Patient with tracheostomy has thick secretions blocking the tube. You should:
CorrectTracheostomy obstruction is emergency requiring immediate nursing or respiratory therapy intervention. Don’t attempt suctioning if not trained and authorized.
IncorrectTracheostomy obstruction is emergency requiring immediate nursing or respiratory therapy intervention. Don’t attempt suctioning if not trained and authorized.
- Question 9 of 40
9. Question
Elderly patient is found on floor beside bed. First priority is:
CorrectFalls require immediate help to properly assess for injuries and provide appropriate care. Don’t move patient until injury assessment completed.
IncorrectFalls require immediate help to properly assess for injuries and provide appropriate care. Don’t move patient until injury assessment completed.
- Question 10 of 40
10. Question
Patient receiving oxygen therapy has nasal cannula but mouth-breathes constantly. You should:
CorrectMouth-breathing with nasal cannula reduces oxygen effectiveness. Nurse needs to assess if different oxygen delivery method is needed.
IncorrectMouth-breathing with nasal cannula reduces oxygen effectiveness. Nurse needs to assess if different oxygen delivery method is needed.
- Question 11 of 40
11. Question
Patient with dementia doesn’t recognize you and becomes frightened. You should:
CorrectDementia patients need calm, gentle approach with repeated introductions. Don’t argue with their perception but provide reassurance and orientation.
IncorrectDementia patients need calm, gentle approach with repeated introductions. Don’t argue with their perception but provide reassurance and orientation.
- Question 12 of 40
12. Question
Patient in isolation asks if they’re ‘contagious.’ Your response should:
CorrectProvide basic factual information about their isolation precautions without diagnosing. Explain that precautions protect everyone while they recover.
IncorrectProvide basic factual information about their isolation precautions without diagnosing. Explain that precautions protect everyone while they recover.
- Question 13 of 40
13. Question
You realize you documented care on wrong patient’s chart. You should:
CorrectCorrect documentation errors with single line through mistake, write ‘error’ and initial. This maintains legal record integrity while showing correction was made.
IncorrectCorrect documentation errors with single line through mistake, write ‘error’ and initial. This maintains legal record integrity while showing correction was made.
- Question 14 of 40
14. Question
A patient complains their IV site is painful and swollen. You should:
CorrectIV site pain and swelling may indicate infiltration or phlebitis. Notify nurse for assessment – don’t remove IV without orders as it may be functioning properly.
IncorrectIV site pain and swelling may indicate infiltration or phlebitis. Notify nurse for assessment – don’t remove IV without orders as it may be functioning properly.
- Question 15 of 40
15. Question
Patient becomes agitated and pulls off several ECG leads during recording. You should:
CorrectRemain calm, reapply leads as tolerated and provide reassurance. Forced restraint could cause injury and worsen agitation.
IncorrectRemain calm, reapply leads as tolerated and provide reassurance. Forced restraint could cause injury and worsen agitation.
- Question 16 of 40
16. Question
You notice water on floor near electrical equipment. Your first action should be:
CorrectWater near electrical equipment creates electrocution hazard. Block area immediately and report to appropriate personnel for safe cleanup.
IncorrectWater near electrical equipment creates electrocution hazard. Block area immediately and report to appropriate personnel for safe cleanup.
- Question 17 of 40
17. Question
Cerebrospinal fluid specimens require:
CorrectCSF specimens require immediate transport and analysis as cellular elements deteriorate rapidly and bacterial counts can change affecting diagnosis.
IncorrectCSF specimens require immediate transport and analysis as cellular elements deteriorate rapidly and bacterial counts can change affecting diagnosis.
- Question 18 of 40
18. Question
Blood cultures should be drawn:
CorrectMultiple blood culture sets should be drawn from different venipuncture sites to differentiate true bacteremia from skin contamination.
IncorrectMultiple blood culture sets should be drawn from different venipuncture sites to differentiate true bacteremia from skin contamination.
- Question 19 of 40
19. Question
Used phlebotomy equipment should be:
CorrectContaminated phlebotomy equipment including needles, syringes and blood-soaked materials must be disposed in appropriate biohazard containers.
IncorrectContaminated phlebotomy equipment including needles, syringes and blood-soaked materials must be disposed in appropriate biohazard containers.
- Question 20 of 40
20. Question
Peak and trough drug levels require:
CorrectTherapeutic drug monitoring requires precise timing: trough levels just before next dose, peak levels at time of maximum drug concentration.
IncorrectTherapeutic drug monitoring requires precise timing: trough levels just before next dose, peak levels at time of maximum drug concentration.
- Question 21 of 40
21. Question
Arterial blood gas specimens must be:
CorrectABG specimens must be transported on ice and analyzed quickly as continued cellular metabolism can alter pH and gas values.
IncorrectABG specimens must be transported on ice and analyzed quickly as continued cellular metabolism can alter pH and gas values.
- Question 22 of 40
22. Question
Bandages after venipuncture should be:
CorrectBandages should be applied immediately after venipuncture with instructions to leave on for several hours to prevent bleeding and bruising.
IncorrectBandages should be applied immediately after venipuncture with instructions to leave on for several hours to prevent bleeding and bruising.
- Question 23 of 40
23. Question
Sharps disposal containers should be:
CorrectSharps containers should be replaced when 3/4 full to prevent overpacking that could cause injury during disposal or needle stick accidents.
IncorrectSharps containers should be replaced when 3/4 full to prevent overpacking that could cause injury during disposal or needle stick accidents.
- Question 24 of 40
24. Question
Serum separator tubes (SST) contain:
CorrectSST tubes contain clot activator to enhance clotting and gel barrier that separates serum from cells after centrifugation.
IncorrectSST tubes contain clot activator to enhance clotting and gel barrier that separates serum from cells after centrifugation.
- Question 25 of 40
25. Question
Electrolyte panels typically require:
CorrectElectrolyte testing (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2) uses serum or plasma from red top or green top tubes respectively.
IncorrectElectrolyte testing (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2) uses serum or plasma from red top or green top tubes respectively.
- Question 26 of 40
26. Question
Bundle branch blocks show:
CorrectBundle branch blocks cause wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds) due to delayed ventricular conduction through alternative pathways.
IncorrectBundle branch blocks cause wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds) due to delayed ventricular conduction through alternative pathways.
- Question 27 of 40
27. Question
Wandering baseline is caused by:
CorrectWandering baseline results from patient movement, breathing, loose electrodes or electrical interference making rhythm interpretation difficult.
IncorrectWandering baseline results from patient movement, breathing, loose electrodes or electrical interference making rhythm interpretation difficult.
- Question 28 of 40
28. Question
Foley catheter drainage bags should be emptied:
CorrectCatheter bags should be emptied every 8 hours or when becoming full to prevent backflow and reduce infection risk.
IncorrectCatheter bags should be emptied every 8 hours or when becoming full to prevent backflow and reduce infection risk.
- Question 29 of 40
29. Question
Nasogastric tube placement is verified by:
CorrectNG tube placement must be verified by chest X-ray before use for feeding or medication to prevent aspiration from tube in lung.
IncorrectNG tube placement must be verified by chest X-ray before use for feeding or medication to prevent aspiration from tube in lung.
- Question 30 of 40
30. Question
Specimen collection timing for peak drug levels should be:
CorrectPeak drug levels are drawn at time of maximum drug concentration, usually just before next dose is due (trough level).
IncorrectPeak drug levels are drawn at time of maximum drug concentration, usually just before next dose is due (trough level).
- Question 31 of 40
31. Question
Artifact can be reduced by:
CorrectGood skin contact reduces artifact. Clean skin, remove hair if necessary and ensure electrodes adhere well to minimize electrical interference.
IncorrectGood skin contact reduces artifact. Clean skin, remove hair if necessary and ensure electrodes adhere well to minimize electrical interference.
- Question 32 of 40
32. Question
Icterus indicates possible:
CorrectIcterus (jaundice) causes yellow discoloration indicating liver dysfunction or excessive red blood cell breakdown affecting bilirubin levels.
IncorrectIcterus (jaundice) causes yellow discoloration indicating liver dysfunction or excessive red blood cell breakdown affecting bilirubin levels.
- Question 33 of 40
33. Question
Coagulation studies (PT/INR) require:
CorrectCoagulation studies require sodium citrate anticoagulant in light blue top tubes with specific blood-to-anticoagulant ratio for accurate results.
IncorrectCoagulation studies require sodium citrate anticoagulant in light blue top tubes with specific blood-to-anticoagulant ratio for accurate results.
- Question 34 of 40
34. Question
Pulse oximetry readings can be affected by:
CorrectPulse oximetry accuracy is affected by nail polish, cold extremities, poor circulation, movement and certain medical conditions affecting light transmission.
IncorrectPulse oximetry accuracy is affected by nail polish, cold extremities, poor circulation, movement and certain medical conditions affecting light transmission.
- Question 35 of 40
35. Question
Postural hypotension is checked by:
CorrectOrthostatic hypotension is assessed by measuring blood pressure lying down then after standing for 1-3 minutes. Drop >20/10 mmHg indicates positive result.
IncorrectOrthostatic hypotension is assessed by measuring blood pressure lying down then after standing for 1-3 minutes. Drop >20/10 mmHg indicates positive result.
- Question 36 of 40
36. Question
Ammonia specimens require:
CorrectAmmonia levels rise rapidly at room temperature so specimens must be placed on ice immediately and processed quickly for accurate results.
IncorrectAmmonia levels rise rapidly at room temperature so specimens must be placed on ice immediately and processed quickly for accurate results.
- Question 37 of 40
37. Question
Lithium levels should be drawn in:
CorrectLithium testing requires sodium heparin tubes, not lithium heparin as lithium in the anticoagulant would falsely elevate results.
IncorrectLithium testing requires sodium heparin tubes, not lithium heparin as lithium in the anticoagulant would falsely elevate results.
- Question 38 of 40
38. Question
Malpractice differs from negligence by including:
CorrectMalpractice implies intent or willful misconduct while negligence is failure to meet standard of care without intent to cause harm.
IncorrectMalpractice implies intent or willful misconduct while negligence is failure to meet standard of care without intent to cause harm.
- Question 39 of 40
39. Question
Ventricular tachycardia appears as:
CorrectV-tach shows wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds) at rate >150 BPM without clear P waves. This is life-threatening rhythm requiring immediate intervention.
IncorrectV-tach shows wide QRS complexes (>0.12 seconds) at rate >150 BPM without clear P waves. This is life-threatening rhythm requiring immediate intervention.
- Question 40 of 40
40. Question
Lead II shows electrical activity between:
CorrectLead II is a limb lead showing electrical activity from right arm (negative) to left leg (positive) providing inferior view of heart.
IncorrectLead II is a limb lead showing electrical activity from right arm (negative) to left leg (positive) providing inferior view of heart.
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