PATIENT CARE
A patient care technician 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, “Are you okay?”
c) Start chest compressions after placing the patient flat.
d) Notify the emergency response team.
B. Tap the patient’s shoulders and ask, “Are you okay?”
Which of the following actions is outside the scope of practice for a patient care technician?
a) Collecting a blood sample
b) Receiving a medication prescription
c) Providing catheter care
d) Preparing a sterile tray
B) Receiving a medication prescription.
Which of the following terms refers to the complete destruction of all forms of microorganisms?
a) Sterilization
b) Sanitization
c) Disinfection
d) Medical asepsis
A) Sterilization.
A patient care technician is preparing to label a patient’s specimen tube following blood collection. Which action should the technician take?
a) Face the patient while labeling the specimen tube
b) Use a pencil
c) Avoid computer-generated labels
d) Initial the label prior to blood collection
A) Face the patient while labeling the specimen tube.
A patient care technician is performing a 12-lead EKG. Which heart rate indicates bradycardia?
a) 50/min
b) 100/min
c) 110/min
d) 75/min
A) 50/min.
A patient care technician is applying antiembolism stockings to a patient. The technician should identify that the provider has prescribed antiembolism stockings for which of the following reasons?
a) To reduce the risk for deep-vein thrombosis
b) To protect the skin from injury
c) To prevent air embolisms from circulating to the legs
d) To dislodge existing embolisms
A.) To reduce the risk for deep-vein thrombosis.
A patient care technician is caring for a patient whose roommate asks about her diagnosis. Disclosing this information would violate which of the following?
a) Standards of care
b) Informed consent
c) Patient Self-Determination Act
d) Patient’s Bill of Rights
D) Patient’s Bill of Rights.
For which of the following procedures should a patient care technician use sterile technique?
a) Performing a venipuncture
b) Inserting a straight catheter
c) Collecting a stool specimen
d) Discontinuing peripheral IV access
B) Inserting a straight catheter.
Which action should a patient care technician take to verify venipuncture supply quality?
a) Determine tourniquet size
b) Check tube vacuum
c) Inspect the needle seal
d) Verify adapter color
C) Inspect the integrity of the needle’s seal.
What is the standard paper speed for an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)?
a) 50 mm/sec
b) 10 mm/sec
c) 25 mm/sec
d) 5 mm/sec
c) 25 mm/sec
A patient care technician is caring for several adult patients. Which of the following findings should the technician report to the nurse first?
a) Blood pressure 139/88 mm Hg
b) Apical pulse 108/min
c) Respiratory rate 22/min
d) Temperature 38.5°C (100.5°F)
D.) 38.5°C (100.5°F).
A patient care technician is using a new disinfectant to clean a soiled mattress. The technician notes a skull and crossbones symbol on the label of the disinfectant. Which hazard does this symbol indicate?
a) Explosive
b) Flammable
c) Skin irritant
d) Acute toxicity
D) Acute toxicity.
A patient care technician is changing linens for a patient on contact precautions for Clostridium difficile. A disposable underpad is heavily soiled with blood and feces. Where should it be disposed?
a) Biohazard waste container
b) Biohazard sharps container
c) Linen container
d) Trash container
A) Biohazard waste container.
a) Wear extra layers of personal protective equipment and only perform the procedure in a negative-pressure room.
b) Perform the venipuncture.
c) Label the specimen with the patient’s HIV status before sending it to the laboratory.
d) Delay the procedure until a physician confirms the patient’s HIV diagnosis.
b) Perform the venipuncture.
A patient care technician should identify which of the following parts of the EKG machine regulates the height of the waveforms on the tracing?
a) Speed control
b) Gain control
c) Lead selector
d) Filter
b) Gain control
A patient care technician is assisting a patient with bowel elimination. Which of the following actions should the technician take to promote relaxation and emotional support?
a) Check on the patient frequently
b) Play soft music at the patient's bedside
c) Place the patient's bed in the supine position
d) Insist that the patient use a bed pan
C.) Play soft music at the patient’s bedside.
A patient care technician is preparing to perform passive range-of-motion exercise for a patient. Which of the following motions should the technician perform on the patient's elbows?
a) Flexion
b) Abduction
c) Adduction
d) Dorsiflexion
A) Flexion
Which of the following actions by a patient care technician (PCT) indicates an understanding of transmission-based precautions?
a) Wears an N-95 respirator when caring for a patient who has measles.
b) Wears a surgical mask and eye protection when entering the room of a patient who has measles.
c) Uses gloves and a gown and ensures the patient wears a mask when being transported outside the room.
d) Places the patient in a private room with the door closed and performs hand hygiene before and after care.
a) Wears an N-95 respirator when caring for a patient who has measles.
A phlebotomy technician is selecting a site for a blood draw from a patient. From which of the following veins should the technician attempt to draw first?
a) Basilic vein
b) Cephalic vein
c) Median cubital vein
d) Dorsal hand vein
c) Median cubital vein
Which action should the pct perform before starting an ekg?
a) Interpret previous ekg results
b) Position the patient supine
c) Adjust oxygen flow rate
d) Administer medication
b) Position the patient supine
A patient care technician is monitoring a patient who has severe hypertension. Which of the following findings related to the patient's condition should the technician report to the nurse immediately?
a) The patient reports stiffness in his hands and feet
b) The patient needs help lifting his legs onto the bed
c) The patient's lower limbs show pitting edema
d) The patient's fingers are thick and flat
C.) The patient’s lower limbs show pitting edema.
A patient care technician is documenting in a patient’s electronic health record. Which of the following abbreviations should the technician avoid using?
a) TID
b) U
c) NPO
d) L
B) U.
A PCT is removing personal protective equipment after providing care for a patient. Which of the following pieces of PPE should the technician remove first?
A. Gown
B. Gloves
C. Mask
D. Goggles
B) Gloves
A phlebotomy technician should ensure that which of the following specimens is protected from light?
a) Glucose
b) Potassium
c) Complete blood count (CBC)
d) Bilirubin
d) Bilirubin
Why is proper skin preparation important before placing electrodes?
a) Improves patient comfort
b)Prevents infection
c)Reduces electrical interference
d)Speeds up the test
c)Reduces electrical interference