Patient Care Technician National Test

Failure to complete tasks given to the PCT by a supervising nurse or physician is called________________.
A. Insubordination
B. Malpractice
C. Bad professional behavior
D. None of the above

B. Malpractice

Patient Care Technicians have contact with patients______________.
A. When the nurse tells them to
B. Weekly
C. When they have time
D. On a daily basis

D. On a daily basis

Patient confidentiality refers to the right of a patient to have their personal and medical information to be kept_________.
A. Private
B. On file
C. Online
D. At their home

B. Private

Which of the following is NOT one of the three major goals of the Patients Bill of Rights?
A. Point out the importance of a strong relationship between patients and providers
B. Point out the key role patients play in staying healthy
C. Promoting a socialized healthcare system
D. Help patients feel more confident in the U.S. healthcare system

C. Promoting a socialized healthcare system

When performing CPR, the patient should be lying_____________.
A. With head and shoulders elevated
B. Flat on a hard surface
C. With the head and feet raised slightly
D. None of the above

B. Flat on a hard surface

Patients who have difficulty chewing will need what type of diet?
A. Clear liquids
B. Low residue
C. Bland
D. Mechanical Soft

D. Mechanical Soft

Patients have the right to choose____________________as they wish.
A. Healthcare providers
B. Drugs prescribed
C. Treatments received
D. Appointment dates

A. Healthcare providers

Patients have the right to respectful care by providers without_______________________.
A. A long wait
B. Discrimination
C. A high cost
D. Treatment

B. Discrimination

Patients have the right to ____________________their own medical records.
A. Alter
B. Destroy
C. Publish
D. Read

D. Read

True or False: Patients are also responsible for protecting their own rights

True

If the sink or faucet is accidentally touched during hand washing, what should you do?
A. It's okay to stop washing
B. turn off the faucet with a paper towel
C. Repeat the wash from the beginning
D. Report the incident to your supervisor

C. Repeat the wash from the beginning

Which of the following is NOT one of the aims of first aid?
A. Preserve life
B. Prevent future or further harm
C. Finding out the patient's medical history
D. Promote recovery

C. Finding out the patient's medical history

All of the following are possible effects of the incorrect application of the Heimlich maneuver EXCEPT:
A. Damage of the internal organs
B. Brain damage
C. Damage of ribs
D. Chest damage

B. Brain damage

If you notice a person not breathing, what is the first thing you should do?
A. Lie the person down
B. Call 911
C. Begin performing the Heimlich maneuver
D. Call your supervisor

B. Call 911

Which of the following is a reason that normal vital signs can change?
A. Exercise
B. Health conditions
C. Sex
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

The sphygmomanometer is used to measure what?
A. Temperature
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Pulse

C. Blood pressure

The production of heat (fever) is controlled in the hypothalamus and ________________.
A. Brain stem
B. Heart
C. Epidermis
D. Liver

A. Brain stem

True or False: An oral temperature can be affected by smoking.

True

The body uses the skin as a mechanism to regulate which of the vital bodily functions?
A. Pulse
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Blood pressure

B. Temperature

In general, temperatures _____________________throughout the night.
A. Rise
B. Spike
C. Can reach a dangerous low point
D. Drop

D. Drop

Blood pressure varies between a _____________________________pressure and a diastolic pressure.
A. High
B. Systolic
C. Low
D. Diastole

B. Systolic

Blood pressure ____________________as the circulating blood moves away from the heart.
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Stops
D. Is at its highest

B. Decreases

Normal blood pressure for a healthy adult is ____________________.
A. 120/80 mmHg
B. 20/180 mmHg
C. 80/120 mmHg
D. 180/20 mmHg

120/80 mmHg

Without specification, blood pressure is measured where?
A. Behind the knee
B. Inside of the elbow
C. On the bicep
D. At the jugular vein

B. Inside of the elbow

The systolic blood pressure is heard during _____________arterial pressure.
A. Fatal
B. Minimum
C. All forms of
D. Maximum

D. Maximum

The diastolic blood pressure is heard when the heart is in a ________________period.
A. Contraction
B. Systole
C. Relaxation
D. Crash

C. Relaxation

The low blood pressure that occurs when a person goes from a sitting or lying position to a standing position is called _________________.
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. A head rush
C. Lightheadedness
D. Dizziness

A. Orthostatic hypotension

Which of the following is a possible result of low blood pressure?
A. Cancer
B. Leukemia
C. Stroke
D. Anemia

C. Stroke

True or False: Medications for high blood pressure may lead to low blood pressure.

True

Which of the following is NOT a disease that may put a person at a higher risk for developing hypotension?
A. Stomach cancer
B. Some heart conditions
C. Diabetes
D. Parkinson's Disease

A. Stomach cancer

_______________________ is a sudden drop in blood pressure after eating.
A. Hypoglycemia
B. High Blood pressure
C. Low Blood pressure
D. Postprandial hypotension

D. Postprandial hypotension

In most people with high blood pressure, there are ____________signs or symptoms.
A. Deadly
B. No
C. Underlying
D. Severe

B. No

True or False: Signs or symptoms of high blood pressure occur very early in the condition.

False

What is the cause of primary hypertension?
A. Stroke
B. There is no identifiable cause
C. Heart attack
D. Heart disease

B. There is no identifiable cause

True or False: Secondary hypertension causes a high blood pressure than primary hypertension.

True

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can lead to secondary hypertension?
A. Illegal drug use
B. Adrenal gland tumors
C. Kidney problems
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Women tend to develop hypertension after _____________.
A. They turn 30
B. Marriage
C. Menopause
D. Having a child

C. Menopause

True or False: High blood pressure tends to run in families.

True

A normal respiration rate for a healthy adult is _____________.
A. 1 - 3 Breaths per minute
B. 5 - 9 Breaths per minute
C. 16 - 20 Breaths per minute
D. 50 - 60 Breaths per minute

C. 16 - 20 Breaths per minute

Smaller children breathe much ______________than adults.
A. Faster
B. Slower
C. Raggedly
D. Intermittently

A. Faster

Abnormally fast respiration rates are known as ____________________.
A. Allergies
B. Bradypnea
C. Panic attacks
D. Tachypnea

D. Tachypnea

A person is considered to have abnormally low respiration rates when the respiration rate falls below _______________breaths per minute.
A. 5
B. 12
C. 35
D. 50

B. 12

Apnea occurs when breathing _________________________.
A. Increases
B. Decreases
C. Completely stops
D. Becomes critically high

C. Completely stops

Apnea takes place when a person is ________________.
A. Sleeping
B. Exercising
C. Dying
D. Eating

A. Sleeping

A person's pulse can be felt at any place on the body that will allow an artery to be compressed against _____________________.
A. A muscle
B. The skin
C. A bone
D. Itself

C. A bone

Symptoms of bradycardia don't usually occur until the heart rate falls below ____________________.
A. 50 beats per minute
B. 80 beats per minute
C. 110 beats per minute
D. 130 beats per minute

A. 50 beats per minute

Some arrhythmias can result in ___________________.
A. Cancer
B. Brain damage
C. Sudden death
D. Kidney damage

C. Sudden death

There are several benefits to giving ____________ to your patients, such as relaxing the patient and increasing direct interaction between the patients and the Patient Care Technician.
A. Backrubs
B. Alcohol
C. Drugs
D. Extra snacks

A. Backrubs

_________________ are not considered to be mobility devices.
A. Walkers
B. Wheelchairs
C. Prosthetic devices
D. Crutches

C. Prosthetic devices

The _____________________ is considered to be the most stable walking aid.
A. Cane
B. Walker
C. Crutches
D. Wheelchair

B. Walker

When using crutches, the patient's weight should rest on ___________________.
A. Arm rests
B. Hand rests
C. The patient's armpits
D. The patient's unaffected/stronger leg

B. Hand rests

When assisting patients into a wheelchair, it is important to check ___________________.
A. That the wheels are locked
B. The patient's medical history
C. That is doesn't go against the patient's religion
D. The patient's family history

A. That the wheels are locked

Which of the following is NOT something you should check on before assisting patients with feeding?
A. Medical conditions such as diabetes
B. Food allergies
C. Religious reasons that a patient may not want a particular food
D. None of the above

D. None of the above

If a food tray contains a snack such as cake, and the patient is diabetic what should you do?
A. Report it to the head nurse, but let the patient have the snack
B. Do not serve the snack, then report it to the head nurse in charge
C. Personally find out who on the kitchen staff put the snack on the tray
D. Assume that the mistake is yours and let the patient have the snack

B. Do not serve the snack, then report it to the head nurse in charge

Which of the following is NOT a good option for patients who do not have teeth?
A. Fish
B. Spinach
C. Cookies
D. Pudding

C. Cookies

When feeding patients that are unable to get out of bed, it is best to assist the patient into the _________________, a semi-upright seated position.
A. Fowler's position
B. Supine position
C. Prone position
D. All of the above

A. Fowler's position

When lifting a heavy object, like when you assist patients with their personal care, you should lift with your ___________________.
A. Upper back
B. Arms
C. Knees
D. Lower back

C. Knees

Which of the following in NOT a urination assisting device?
A. Bedpan
B. Colostomy bag
C. Foley bag
D. Bedside commode

B. Colostomy bag

True or False: There are several special steps required when shaving a patient.

False

When putting patients to bed, the PCT MUST make sure that the patient knows where to find and how to use the _____________ before leaving the room.
A. Television remote
B. Toilet
C. Call light
D. Bed controls

C. Call light

If a patient turns on their call light repeatedly, what should you do?
A. Stop by the room more often to give them the extra attention they need
B. Ignore some of the calls; they're probably nothing important
C. Ask someone else to check on the patient for you
D. None of the above

A. Stop by the room more often to give them the extra attention they need

To make a functional, elderly patient feel independent, the PCT should let the patient _______________.
A. Go shopping on their own
B. Do light housekeeping
C. Wash their own clothes
D. Both B and C

D. Both B and C

Which of the following is NOT one of the key principles of palliative care?
A. Providing relief from other symptoms that cause distress
B. Integrating psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
C. Providing relief from pain
D. Preparing a patient for their impending death

D. Preparing a patient for their impending death

Which of the following is a member of the palliative care team?
A. Chaplains
B. Nurses
C. Social Workers
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

True or False: The goals of palliative care change depending on where the care is received.

False

The goal of hospice care is to give patients ____________________ while they are dying.
A. Dignity
B. Comfort
C. Peace
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

When caring for a patient who has not come to peace with the thought of dying, conversations about the approaching death should be carried out ______________________.
A. With the patient
B. Away from the patient
C. Between the patient and the social worker
D. In front of the patient

B. Away from the patient

SIG codes are commonly used in _______________ settings.
A. Pharmacy
B. Hospice
C. Nursing Home
D. Home care

A. Pharmacy

Edema appears most commonly in ________________________.
A. Fingers
B. Muscles
C. Feet and legs
D. Hair

C. Feet and legs

Causes of atherosclerosis include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Obesity
B. Anemia
C. High-fat diet
D. High blood pressure

B. Anemia

Constipation occurs when a patient experiences _____________________ bowel movements.
A. Infrequent
B. Normal
C. Frequent
D. Long

A. Infrequent

True or False: Crohn's disease may be caused by the immune system mistaking bacteria and food as "invaders" to the digestive system.

True

Which of the following is NOT a treatment for Crohn's disease?
A. Vitamin supplements
B. Radiation
C. Medication
D. Surgery

B. Radiation

Which of these is a type of arthritis?
A. Rheumatoid
B. Psoriatic
C. Septic
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

What is the cure for arthritis?
A. Medication
B. Surgery
C. Radiation
D. There is no cure for arthritis

D. There is no cure for arthritis

Which of the following is NOT a cause for the development of osteoporosis?
A. Caffeine intake
B. Hormonal disorders
C. Smoking
D. Medications

A. Caffeine intake

Treatment for Alzheimer's disease is aimed at ___________________.
A. Curing the patient of the disease
B. Regaining lost memories
C. Slowing down the rate at which symptoms worsen
D. Relearning forgotten information

C. Slowing down the rate at which symptoms worsen

Which of the following is a type of seizure associated with epilepsy?
A. Focal seizures
B. Limb seizures
C. Petit mal seizures
D. Both A and C

D. Both A and C

True or False: An EEG is done to diagnose epilepsy.

True

Paralysis is usually caused by damage to the __________________.
A. Circulatory system
B. Nervous system
C. Renal system
D. Respiratory system

B. Nervous system

Paraplegia affects the ___________________ of the body.
A. Upper and lower parts
B. Upper parts
C. Lower parts
D. Left side

C. Lower parts

Causes for vision loss include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Hypertension
B. Multiple sclerosis
C. Diabetes
D. Epilepsy

D. Epilepsy

Risk factors for hearing loss include which of the following?
A. Paralysis
B. Occupational or recreational noise
C. Medications
D. Both B and C

D. Both B and C

True or False: Infertility may lead to depression.

True

Which of the following is a contributing factor to impotence?
A. Psychological disorders
B. Drugs
C. Infertility
D. Both A and B

D. Both A and D

Narrowing of the airways takes place in patients with ______________.
A. Crohn's disease
B. Bronchial asthma
C. Alzheimer's disease
D. Pneumonia

B. Bronchial asthma

What is the most common cause of pneumonia?
A. Drugs
B. Excessive drinking
C. Bacteria
D. Going out in the cold with wet hair

C. Bacteria

The highest incidence of tuberculosis occurs between the ages of ___________.
A. 1 and 5
B. 15 and 30
C. 50 and 60
D. 75 and 80

B. 15 and 30

The leading causes of kidney disease are _________________ and high blood pressure.
A. Infertility
B. Asthma
C. Low blood pressure
D. Diabetes

D. Diabetes

True or False: Men are more likely to have problems with incontinence that women.

False

Causes for urinary retention include which of the following?
A. Bladder stones
B. Leukemia
C. Glaucoma
D. Nerve damage

A. Bladder stones

Which of the following is the correct abbreviation for "before meals"?
A. p.c
B. b.i.d
C. a.c
D. t.i.d

C. a.c

When admitting a patient, which of the following should the PCT NOT observe and record?
A. Color of stool and amount of urine voided
B. How much the patient has eaten or drank
C. Bruises, marks, rashes, or broken skin
D. Insurance information

D. insurance information

A hot water bottle is an example of ____________________.
A. Local dry heat application
B. Generalized dry heat application
C. Local moist heat application
D. Generalized moist heat application

A. Local dry heat

When caring for a confused elderly patient, it is important to remember to ___________________.
A. Keep the bedrails up except when you are right at the bedside
B. Close the door to the room so other patients are not disturbed
C. Keep the room dark and quiet at all times to keep patients calm
D. Remind the patient each morning to shower and shave independently

A. Keep the bedrails up except when you are right at the bedside

H.S. care is care that is given ___________________.
A. Before meals
B. Before bedtime
C. After meals
D. Upon awakening

B. Before bedtime

Sexuality in long-term care patients may include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Needing private time with their partner
B. Caring about one's physical appearance
C. Engaging in public fondling
D. Desiring sexual interaction

C. Engaging in public fondling

When a patient must be turned every two hours during the night, the first action of the PCT when waking the patient should be to ____________________.
A. Turn on the light
B. Speak quietly and calmly
C. Touch the patient gently
D. Shout the patient's name

B. Speak quietly and calmly

Which of the following is NOT the PCT's responsiblility with catheterized patients?
A. Insertion of the catheter
B. Prevention of infection
C. Checking for proper drainage
D. Recording output

A. Insertion of the catheter

The first step in performing any procedure is to ______________.
A. Provide privacy
B. Explain the procedure to the patient
C. Gather needed equipment
D. Wash your hands

D. Wash your hands