Patient Care
A PCT is caring for a patient who has heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the tech expect?
A. Edema in the legs
B. Left-sided weakness
C. Sudden onset of severe headaches
D. Sputum that is green
What is "edema in the legs"
Which of the following tasks should a PCT identify as outside the technician's scope of practice?
A. Assisting with range of motion exercises
B. Performing catheter care
C. Changing the sterile dressing on an incision
D. Feeding a patient who has dementia.
What is "changing the sterile dressing on an incision"?
A PCT should identify that which of the following actions is most effective in preventing the transmission of infections?
A. Performing proper hand hygiene
B. wearing gloves
C. keeping the hands moisturized
D. limiting direct contact with patients
What is "performing proper hand hygiene"?
A PCT should identify that which of the following indicates proper use of an evacuated tube system (ETS) for blood collections?
A. used once per patient
B. used if the package is damaged
C. used if past the expiration date
D. used if the package is open
What is "used once per patient"?
A PCT should identify that which of the following is the standard paper speed for a 12 lead EKG?
A. 5 mm/sec
B. 10 mm/sec
C. 25 mm/sec
D. 50 mm/sec
What is "25 mm/sec"?
A PCT is performing hourly checks for several patients. To help anticipate and prevent falls, which of the following questions should the technician routinely include?
A. "Do you need pain medication?"
B. "Do you need to use the restroom?"
C. "Can I assist you into a more comfortable position?"
D. "Are you feeling any better since the last time I checked on you?"
What is "Do you need to use the restroom?"
A PCT is experiencing an ethical dilemma concerning a patient. The tech should visit the website of which of the following organizations to find information about codes and ethics?
A. The Joint Commission
B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems
What is "The Joint Commission"?
A PCT is disinfecting equipment following a procedure. Which of the following should the tech identify as a method of disinfection?
A. Chemical Solutions
B. Gas
C. Radiation
D. Moist heat
What is "chemical solutions"?
Which of the following actions should the tech take when processing a 24 hour urine specimen?
A. Note the time and date the specimen collection began
B. transport the specimen at room temperature
C. take the specimen to the lab in an unsealed container
D. collect a urine sample immediately following a bowel movement
What is "note the time and date that the specimen collection began"?
A PCT is preparing to perform a 12 lead for a pregnant patient. Into which of the following positions should the tech assist the patient?
A. slightly on the left side
B. supine
C. lithotomy
D. slightly on the right side
What is "slightly on the left side"?
A PCT is performing postmortem care for a patient. Which of the following actions should the tech take to prepare the body for viewing by the family?
A. Place the patient's arms across the abdomen, with one hand on top of the other
B. Cover the patient's entire body with a sheet.
C. Keep the patient's body supine with the head flat.
D. Close the patient's eyes and mouth.
What is "Close the patient's eyes and mouth"
A PCT is attempting to extinguish a small fire in a patient's room using a fire extinguisher. Which of the following actions should the tech take?
A. Point the hose at the top of the fire
B. Pull the pin out of the extinguisher
C. Pull the handles apart to release the contents of the extinguisher
D. Spray the contents of the extinguisher in an up and down motion
What is "pull the pin out of the extinguisher"?
A PCT is exposed to a chemical while sterilizing equipment. Which of the following documents should the tech use to look up information about the chemical?
A. Minimum data set report
B. Safety data sheets
C. Care plan
D. Incident report
What is "Safety data sheets"?
A PCT is placing a label on an evacuated tube. Which of the following actions should the tech take?
A. Write the date of collection on the label before performing the venipuncture
B. apply the label immediately following the venipuncture
C. verify the patient's room number with the tube label following the procedure
D. write the initials of the provider who requested the draw on the label
What is "apply the label immediately following the procedure"?
A PCT is caring for a patient who is experiencing cardiopulmonary compromise. The tech should identify that which of the following structures of the cardiac conduction system initiates the heartbeat?
A. Bundle of his
B. Sinoatrial node (SA Node)
C. Atrioventricular node (AV Node)
D. Purkinje fibers
What is "Sinoatrial node (SA node)"?
A. Instruct the patient to lay in supine position
B. Place the pillow over the patient's incision site
C. Ask the patient to inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose
D. Explain to the patient that the diaphragm will move upward during inhalation
What is "Place a pillow over the patient's incision site"
A PCT is caring for a patient who has a history of falls. Which of the following actions should the technician take?
A. Ensure the patient has a red identification band applied to their wrist
B. Place large objects in walkways for the patient to use for stability
C. Make sure the patient uses a wheelchair when out of bed
D. Have the patient wear nonskid slippers when out of bed
What is "Have the patient wear nonskid slippers when out of bed"?
A PCT is caring for a patient with tuberculosis. At which of the following times should the tech disinfect the equipment used in the treatment of this patient?
A. each time the tech enters and leaves the patient's room
B. At least once during an 8 hour shift
C. When it will be removed from the patient's room to use on another patient.
D. At the beginning and end of a 12 hour shift
What is "when it will be removed from a patient's room to use on another patient"?
A PCT is performing a blood collection with a winged infusion set through the dorsal hand vein. At which of the following angles should the tech insert the needle?
A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 30%
What is "10%"?
A PCT is performing a 12 lead EKG. Which of the following should the tech identify as a dysrhythmia?
A. P waves are upright and deflection
B. Three different P wave configurations in one lead
C. P waves appear before QRS complexes
D. Intervals between two P waves occur in a uniform pattern
What is "three different P wave configurations in one lead"?
A PCT is replacing a colostomy appliance for a patient. Which of the following actions should the tech take?
A. Peel off the used ostomy appliance from the bottom
B. Wipe away any feces around the stoma with an antiseptic wipe
C. Press the wafer against the patient's skin for 30 seconds
D. Wash the skin around the stoma with warm water
What is "Wash the skin around the stoma with warm water"?
A PCT observes a patient injure their hand while reaching for a book on the bedside table. The tech should identify that which of the following forms must be completed as a result of this situation?
A. Incident Report
B. Informed consent
C. Safety Data Sheet
D. Health Insurance claim
What is "incident report"?
A PCT is preparing to dispose of blood-soiled linens. Which of the following actions should the tech take?
A. Place the linens in a linen container
B. Place the linens in a biohazardous waste bag
C. Place the linens in a clear linen bag
D. Double bag the linens and place them in a linen container
What is "place the linens in a biohazardous waste bag"?
A PCT is collecting specimens for multiple tests via capillary puncture. Which of the following tubes should the tech collect first?
A. red
B. gray
C. gold
D. lavender
What is "lavender"?
A PCT is obtaining an EKG from a patient who reports chest pain. Which of the following changes in a waveform should the tech recognize as an indication of a myocardial infarction and report to the nurse immediately?
A. Upright T waves
B. Q waves less than one-third the height of the R wave
C. P wave inversion
D. ST segment elevation
What is "ST segment elevation"?