PCT 1
Which of the following actions best demonstrates effective emotional support as a patient care technician?
A) Completing tasks quickly without speaking to the patient
B) Actively listening to the patient and showing empathy
C) Ignoring the patient’s feelings of frustration or anxiety
D) Using only medical terminology when communicating
Answer: B) Actively listening to patients and showing empathy
What is a patient's right according to The Patient Care Partnership?
Answer: Refusing treatment, including medications and procedures
What is the difference between sanitization and disinfection of medical equipment?
Answer: Disinfection destroys pathogens (not spores), while sanitization removes debris and reduces microbes.
What is the main purpose of the chain of custody when handling specimens?
A) Ensuring specimens are refrigerated
B) Maintaining control and accountability of specimens from collection to disposal
C) Allowing anyone to access the specimen
D) Speeding up laboratory analysis
Answer: B) Maintaining control and accountability of specimens from collection to disposal
Where should the red lead be placed for a 3-lead EKG?
A) Right shoulder or clavicle area
B) Left shoulder or clavicle area
C) Left lower abdominal area
D) Right lower abdominal area
Answer: C) Left lower abdominal area
What action is best to help prevent skin breakdown in patients?
Answer: Repositioning patients at least every 2 hours
Which of the following is an indication of possible abuse or neglect that a patient care technician should report?
Answer: Patient shows signs of malnourishment, such as unusual weight loss and muscle wasting
Which of the following is the first link in the chain of infection?
A) Portal of exit
B) Mode of transmission
C) Pathogen (infectious agent)
D) Susceptible host
Answer: C) Pathogen (infectious agent)
Which of the following situations requires strict chain-of-custody protocols?
Answer: Forensic analysis, workplace drug testing, or BAC testing
What should you do if a patient has a breast implant and you need to place V1 and V2 leads?
A) Place leads directly on the implant
B) Place leads higher, above the implant
C) Skip these leads
D) Place leads on the back
Answer: B) Place leads higher, above the implant
What should a patient care technician do immediately after removing a peripheral IV catheter?
Answer: Inspect the catheter tip for intactness
What is a legal duty for patient care technicians when abuse or neglect is suspected?
Answer: Report suspicions according to facility, state, and federal protocols
Which is an example of a reservoir in the chain of infection?
A) An open wound
B) A patient
C) Wearing gloves
D) A negative-pressure room
Answer: B) A patient
Which vein is usually the first choice for venipuncture?
Answer: Median cubital vein
In a standard 12-lead EKG, where is the V4 precordial lead placed?
A) Right side of the sternum, fourth intercostal space
B) Left side of the sternum, fourth intercostal space
C) Left fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
D) Left fifth intercostal space, anterior axillary line
Answer: C) Left fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
What is in included in a patient care technician’s responsibilities for measuring and documenting intake and output (I&O)?
Answer: Measuring all fluids taken in and excreted, and documenting stool consistency
What is the best way to protect patient privacy and confidentiality as required by HIPAA?
Answer: Sharing patient information only with authorized individuals involved in the patient’s care
What is the correct way to dispose of a used needle after drawing blood?
Answer: Place the needle directly into a labeled sharps container.
How long should a tourniquet be left on the patient’s arm during venipuncture?
A) 3 minutes
B) 2 minutes
C) 1 minute or less
D) 5 minutes
Answer: C) 1 minute or less
When interpreting a 6-second EKG rhythm strip, which of the following should you evaluate?
A) Rhythm regularity and rate
B) P wave morphology
C) QRS duration and morphology
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
As a Patient Care Technician what is the correct step when applying antiembolism stockings?
Answer: Apply the stockings smoothly without wrinkles or bunching
Which organization sets national patient safety goals and standards for improving quality and safety in health care facilities?
Answer: The Joint Commission
Which type of infection is described as having symptoms that appear suddenly and resolve within a few weeks?
A) Chronic
B) Opportunistic
C) Acute
D) Latent
Answer: C)Acute
What term describes a vein that is hard, inflexible, and narrow?
A) Phlebitic
B) Sclerotic
C) Tortuous
D) Edematous
Answer: B) Sclerotic
On EKG paper, what does 1 small box (1 mm wide) represent?
Answer: A) 0.1 mV and 0.04 seconds