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NCCT NCPCT study materials
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NCCT NCPCT practice questions

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Question 1Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When should a patient care technician perform hand hygiene?

  1. Once at the beginning of each shift
  2. Before and after every patient contact Correct answer.
  3. Only when the hands are visibly soiled
  4. Only after removing gloves

Explanation

Hand hygiene is performed before and after contact with each patient, after contact with body fluids, and before aseptic tasks. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, and visibly soiled hands require soap and water.

Question 2Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which personal protective equipment is worn to protect the eyes from splashes of blood or body fluids?

  1. Shoe covers
  2. Clean gloves
  3. A fluid-resistant gown
  4. Goggles or a face shield Correct answer.

Explanation

Goggles or a face shield protect the mucous membranes of the eyes from splashes during care. Gloves, gowns, and shoe covers protect other areas of the body.

Question 3Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Before performing a procedure, the technician verifies patient identity using which two identifiers?

  1. Full name and date of birth Correct answer.
  2. Diagnosis and age
  3. Physician name and medical record number
  4. Room number and bed position

Explanation

The two patient identifiers must be independent and specific to the patient, such as full name and date of birth. Room or bed location is not an acceptable identifier.

Question 4Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

How long should the technician wait before taking an oral temperature after the patient has consumed a hot beverage?

  1. 2 hours
  2. 1 to 2 minutes
  3. No waiting period is needed
  4. 15 to 30 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

Hot or cold food and drink change the temperature inside the mouth. Waiting 15 to 30 minutes gives the oral cavity time to return to baseline.

Question 5Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

The normal resting respiratory rate for an adult is:

  1. 6 to 10 breaths per minute
  2. 12 to 20 breaths per minute Correct answer.
  3. 24 to 30 breaths per minute
  4. 10 to 12 breaths per minute

Explanation

An adult at rest normally breathes 12 to 20 times per minute. Rates below 12 or above 20 are outside the usual adult range and should be reported.

Question 6Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which position best promotes breathing for a patient who is short of breath?

  1. Prone position
  2. Trendelenburg position
  3. Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position Correct answer.
  4. Flat supine position

Explanation

An upright or semi-upright position allows the chest to expand and lets gravity help lower the diaphragm. This improves ventilation for a patient with shortness of breath.

Question 7Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which action best reduces a patient's risk of falling when getting out of bed?

  1. Apply a vest restraint during waking hours
  2. Keep both side rails up at all times
  3. Place the bed in the lowest position and keep the call light within reach Correct answer.
  4. Require a wheelchair for all mobility

Explanation

A low bed and an accessible call light reduce the chance of falling and allow the patient to call for help. Side rails and restraints do not replace safe positioning and supervision.

Question 8Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When washing hands with soap and water, the technician should scrub for at least:

  1. 20 seconds Correct answer.
  2. 15 seconds
  3. 10 seconds
  4. 5 seconds

Explanation

Soap and water handwashing should last at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and wrists. This contact time helps remove transient microorganisms.

Question 9Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

To logroll a patient, the technician should:

  1. Pull the patient by the arms toward the side of the bed
  2. Raise the head of the bed to 90 degrees before turning
  3. Keep the patient's body aligned and use a draw sheet with enough helpers Correct answer.
  4. Turn the patient's head first and then the rest of the body

Explanation

Logrolling keeps the head, neck, and spine in a straight line while the patient is turned as a unit. A draw sheet and adequate staff help maintain alignment and prevent injury.

Question 10Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Before transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, the technician should:

  1. Place the wheelchair at the foot of the bed facing away
  2. Have the patient wrap both arms around the technician's neck
  3. Remove the wheelchair footrests after the transfer
  4. Lock the wheelchair wheels and lower the bed to chair height Correct answer.

Explanation

Locking the wheels prevents the chair from moving, and lowering the bed reduces the distance the patient must move. The patient should be positioned safely before standing.

Question 11Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Range of motion in which the patient performs the movement without assistance is called:

  1. Passive range of motion
  2. Isometric range of motion
  3. Resistive range of motion
  4. Active range of motion Correct answer.

Explanation

Active range of motion means the patient uses their own muscle power to move the joint. Passive range of motion is performed by the technician when the patient cannot move the joint.

Question 12Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient who is bedbound should be repositioned at least every:

  1. 1 hour
  2. 30 minutes
  3. 15 minutes
  4. 2 hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Repositioning at least every 2 hours helps relieve pressure over bony prominences and reduces the risk of pressure injury. More frequent turning may be needed for high-risk patients.

Question 13Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When a patient has an ordered restraint, the technician should:

  1. Keep the restraint tight to prevent all movement
  2. Check circulation and release and reposition at least every 2 hours Correct answer.
  3. Remove the restraint only at shift change
  4. Tie the restraint to the side rail

Explanation

Restraints require frequent monitoring for circulation, skin integrity, and basic needs. The restraint is released and the patient repositioned at least every 2 hours or according to policy.

Question 14Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient drinks 8 ounces of juice. How should the technician record this as intake?

  1. 60 mL
  2. 480 mL
  3. 240 mL Correct answer.
  4. 120 mL

Explanation

One ounce is approximately 30 mL, so 8 ounces is about 240 mL. Intake is recorded in milliliters according to facility policy.

Question 15Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

To collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, the technician should:

  1. Have the patient void directly into the container without cleansing
  2. Cleanse the perineal area and collect urine midstream Correct answer.
  3. Collect urine from the bedpan after the patient voids
  4. Collect the first few drops of urine

Explanation

Cleansing reduces contamination, and the midstream sample best represents urine in the bladder. The first portion is allowed to flow away before collection.

Question 16Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When feeding a patient who has difficulty swallowing, the technician should:

  1. Give large bites quickly
  2. Have the patient sit upright with the chin slightly tucked and offer small bites Correct answer.
  3. Place the patient flat in bed
  4. Encourage talking during the meal

Explanation

An upright position with a slight chin tuck helps protect the airway during swallowing. Small bites and a slow pace reduce the risk of choking.

Question 17Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When assisting a patient to use a bedpan, the technician should:

  1. Warm the bedpan, position it securely, and provide privacy Correct answer.
  2. Raise the head of the bed fully before placing the pan
  3. Leave the patient alone immediately after placement
  4. Place the bedpan while the side rails are down

Explanation

A warmed pan is more comfortable, secure positioning prevents spills, and privacy supports dignity. The head of the bed is raised after the pan is in place.

Question 18Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When performing perineal care for a female patient, the technician should cleanse:

  1. From back to front
  2. With cold water only
  3. In circular motions around the anus first
  4. From front to back Correct answer.

Explanation

Cleansing from front to back moves microorganisms away from the urethra and reduces the risk of urinary tract infection. Warm water and gentle cleansing are used.

Question 19Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Standard precautions should be used:

  1. Only for patients with bloodborne pathogens
  2. Only in the operating room
  3. For all patients regardless of diagnosis Correct answer.
  4. Only when the patient has a known infection

Explanation

Standard precautions apply to all patients because infection status may not be known. They include hand hygiene and appropriate use of gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.

Question 20Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which action is safe for a patient receiving supplemental oxygen?

  1. Secure the oxygen tubing and avoid kinks Correct answer.
  2. Use wool blankets for warmth
  3. Allow smoking only away from the bed
  4. Apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils

Explanation

Oxygen tubing should be secured so it does not pull or kink, which could reduce delivery. Oxygen supports combustion, so petroleum products and open flames must be avoided.

Question 21Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient becomes dizzy when standing. The technician should first:

  1. Encourage the patient to walk rapidly
  2. Give the patient a hot shower
  3. Leave the patient standing to adjust
  4. Assist the patient to sit or lie down and recheck the blood pressure Correct answer.

Explanation

Dizziness on standing may indicate orthostatic hypotension, and the patient is at risk of falling. Assisting the patient to a safe position and rechecking vital signs is the priority.

Question 22Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

To calculate a pulse deficit, the technician subtracts:

  1. The systolic pressure from the diastolic pressure
  2. The radial rate from the apical rate Correct answer.
  3. The apical rate from the radial rate
  4. The respiratory rate from the pulse rate

Explanation

A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial rates, calculated by subtracting the radial rate from the apical rate. It can occur when some heartbeats do not produce a peripheral pulse.

Question 23Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A blood pressure cuff that is too small for the patient's arm is most likely to produce a reading that is:

  1. Impossible to obtain
  2. Unaffected
  3. Falsely low
  4. Falsely high Correct answer.

Explanation

A cuff that is too small requires higher pressure to compress the artery, so the reading is falsely high. The cuff bladder should cover about 80% of the arm circumference.

Question 24Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

When collecting a laboratory specimen, the technician should label the container:

  1. Only if the patient requests it
  2. At the patient's bedside immediately after collection Correct answer.
  3. At the nurses' station after leaving the room
  4. Before entering the patient's room

Explanation

Bedside labeling immediately after collection prevents misidentification of specimens. The label must match the patient's identity and the requisition.

Question 25Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient who cannot bear weight must be transferred from bed to chair. The technician should:

  1. Pull the patient by the arms
  2. Have one coworker hold the patient under the arms
  3. Ask the patient to stand and pivot
  4. Use a mechanical lift with trained assistance Correct answer.

Explanation

A mechanical lift is the safe choice for a patient who cannot bear weight and reduces injury risk for both patient and staff. Trained assistance follows safe patient handling policy.

Question 26Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

An unresponsive patient needs oral care. How should the technician position the patient?

  1. Place the patient flat on the back with legs elevated
  2. Turn the patient into a prone position
  3. Raise the head of the bed fully upright
  4. Turn the head to the side Correct answer.

Explanation

An unresponsive patient cannot protect the airway, so fluid left in the mouth can be aspirated into the lungs. Turning the head to the side lets secretions and rinse water drain out, and suction equipment should be ready at the bedside.

Question 27Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient who is NPO for surgery asks for a sip of water. What should the technician do?

  1. Give a small amount of ice chips
  2. Give water only if the patient's mouth is dry
  3. Offer a few sips of water and document it
  4. Withhold the water and tell the nurse Correct answer.

Explanation

NPO means nothing by mouth, including water and ice chips, because even small amounts in the stomach raise the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. The technician explains the restriction, offers mouth care if allowed, and reports the request to the nurse.

Question 28Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

While giving a bed bath, how should the technician protect the patient's privacy?

  1. Keep the patient fully uncovered for the whole bath
  2. Ask the patient to hold the bath blanket
  3. Leave the room door open for quick help
  4. Expose only the body part being washed Correct answer.

Explanation

The bath blanket stays over the patient while only the area being cleaned is uncovered. This preserves dignity, keeps the patient warm, and reduces unnecessary exposure.

Question 29Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Before weighing a patient on a standing scale, the technician should make sure the scale:

  1. Reads zero with nothing on it Correct answer.
  2. Has the armrests raised
  3. Is set to kilograms
  4. Is pushed against the wall for stability

Explanation

The scale must be balanced at zero before the patient steps on so the reading reflects only the patient's weight. It should also sit on a hard, level surface, since carpet or an uneven floor distorts the measurement.

Question 30Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Where should the technician place a gait belt on a patient who is about to ambulate?

  1. Around the hips, over the bare skin
  2. Around the waist, over the clothing Correct answer.
  3. Loosely around the waist so it does not pinch
  4. Under the arms, around the upper chest

Explanation

A gait belt is worn snugly around the waist over clothing, giving the technician a secure grip close to the patient's center of gravity. Pulling on the arms or chest instead can injure the patient and does not control a fall.

Question 31Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient has orders for elastic compression stockings. When should the technician apply them?

  1. Only when the patient complains of leg swelling
  2. After the patient has walked to the bathroom
  3. Before the patient gets out of bed Correct answer.
  4. At bedtime, after the patient is settled

Explanation

Compression stockings are put on in the morning before the patient gets up, while venous pooling is minimal, and are worn as ordered. Applying them after the legs have swollen makes them hard to put on and less effective.

Question 32Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

The technician notes a reddened area over a patient's sacrum that does not blanch when pressed. This finding is most consistent with:

  1. A stage 1 pressure injury Correct answer.
  2. A superficial skin tear from friction
  3. A healing surgical incision
  4. A normal reaction to sitting

Explanation

Nonblanchable redness over a bony prominence with intact skin is the defining sign of a stage 1 pressure injury. It must be reported promptly so off-loading and skin care can begin before the injury deepens.

Question 33Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A cold pack is applied to a patient's ankle. How often should the technician check the skin?

  1. Once, when the pack is removed
  2. Every 5 minutes Correct answer.
  3. Every 15 minutes
  4. Every 30 minutes

Explanation

Cold therapy can damage tissue, so the skin under and around the pack is assessed at least every 5 minutes. The pack is removed at once if the skin turns pale, white, gray, or numb.

Question 34Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

Which instruction should the technician give a patient with diabetes about daily foot care?

  1. Soak your feet in hot water for 20 minutes each night
  2. Walk barefoot at home to let your feet breathe
  3. Check your feet daily, including between the toes Correct answer.
  4. Cut corns and calluses off with a sharp blade

Explanation

Diabetes reduces sensation and circulation in the feet, so a daily inspection including between the toes catches blisters, cuts, and redness before they become serious. Hot soaks and self-cutting of corns can cause burns and infection.

Question 35Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient has an indwelling urinary catheter. How should the drainage bag be positioned?

  1. At the same height as the bladder for accurate readings
  2. Hanging from a side rail above the bed
  3. Below the level of the bladder at all times Correct answer.
  4. Resting on the floor beside the bed

Explanation

Keeping the bag below bladder level lets gravity drain urine and prevents backflow of contaminated urine into the bladder. The bag should also be kept off the floor, where it picks up bacteria.

Question 36Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

The technician is to collect a sputum specimen. Which action is correct?

  1. Ask for a deep cough from the chest Correct answer.
  2. Collect the specimen right after a meal
  3. Collect saliva from the mouth into the cup
  4. Have the patient spit after using mouthwash

Explanation

A sputum specimen must come from the lungs, so the patient rinses with water and then coughs deeply from the chest into the container. Saliva and mouthwash do not contain the organisms the lab needs and invalidate the sample.

Question 37Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient begins to have a seizure. What should the technician do first?

  1. Protect the head and lower to the floor Correct answer.
  2. Try to carry the patient to the bed
  3. Place a padded tongue blade in the mouth
  4. Hold the patient's arms and legs still

Explanation

The priority is preventing injury: ease the patient to the floor, cushion the head, and move furniture away. Restraining the limbs or putting anything in the mouth can cause fractures, choking, or broken teeth.

Question 38Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A 24-hour urine collection is ordered. What should the technician do with the first voided specimen?

  1. Save it in a separate container for the lab
  2. Send it to the lab as a random specimen
  3. Add it to the container and start the timer
  4. Discard it and record the start time Correct answer.

Explanation

Timed collection starts with an empty bladder, so the first voided urine is thrown away and the start time is documented. Every specimen after that is saved, including the final void at the end of the 24 hours.

Question 39Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

The technician is administering a cleansing enema. How high should the solution container be held above the rectum?

  1. As high as the pole will allow for faster flow
  2. About 24 inches above, then lower it
  3. About 6 inches above the rectum, to start slowly
  4. 12 to 18 inches above the rectum Correct answer.

Explanation

Holding the container 12 to 18 inches above the rectum produces a slow, steady flow the patient can retain. A higher container causes rapid filling, cramping, and immediate expulsion of the solution.

Question 40Patient Care and Activities of Daily Living

A patient has left-sided weakness from a stroke. When helping the patient put on a shirt, the technician should:

  1. Pull both sleeves on at the same time
  2. Dress the unaffected arm first, then the affected arm
  3. Dress the affected arm first Correct answer.
  4. Ask the patient to dress without any help

Explanation

Dressing begins with the affected limb so the weak arm is guided into the sleeve without reaching or straining. When undressing, the order reverses and the unaffected side is removed first.

Question 41Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?

  1. 60 to 100 beats per minute Correct answer.
  2. 20 to 40 beats per minute
  3. 40 to 60 beats per minute
  4. 100 to 120 beats per minute

Explanation

A healthy adult at rest typically has a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Rates below 60 are called bradycardia and rates above 100 are called tachycardia in adults.

Question 42Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

What is the normal resting respiratory rate for a healthy adult?

  1. 20 to 28 breaths per minute
  2. 28 to 36 breaths per minute
  3. 8 to 12 breaths per minute
  4. 12 to 20 breaths per minute Correct answer.

Explanation

Normal adult resting respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. One breath is counted as one rise and fall of the chest.

Question 43Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

What oxygen saturation range is considered normal for a healthy adult breathing room air?

  1. 85% to 90%
  2. 100% to 105%
  3. 90% to 94%
  4. 95% to 100% Correct answer.

Explanation

Normal oxygen saturation on room air is 95% to 100%. Values below 90% indicate significant hypoxemia and require prompt evaluation.

Question 44Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

Which temperature range is normal for an adult oral temperature?

  1. 96.0°F to 97.5°F
  2. 97.7°F to 99.5°F Correct answer.
  3. 99.5°F to 100.4°F
  4. 100.4°F to 101.5°F

Explanation

Normal oral temperature is approximately 97.7°F to 99.5°F, or 36.5°C to 37.5°C. Rectal temperatures are slightly higher and axillary temperatures are slightly lower.

Question 45Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

Which site is most commonly used to check the pulse in an adult?

  1. Dorsalis pedis artery on the foot
  2. Popliteal artery behind the knee
  3. Brachial artery at the elbow
  4. Radial artery at the wrist Correct answer.

Explanation

The radial artery at the wrist is the most commonly used pulse site in adults because it is easy to access and does not require removing clothing. It is routinely used for counting the pulse rate.

Question 46Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

At what oral temperature is a patient generally considered to have a fever?

  1. 100.4°F (38.0°C) Correct answer.
  2. 99.0°F (37.2°C)
  3. 98.6°F (37.0°C)
  4. 101.0°F (38.3°C)

Explanation

Fever is generally defined as an oral temperature of 100.4°F, or 38.0°C, or higher. Lower elevations may be normal variation or mild temperature elevation.

Question 47Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

What does a blood pressure measurement directly assess?

  1. The force of blood against arterial walls Correct answer.
  2. The rate of oxygen delivery to tissues
  3. The resistance of blood flow in the veins
  4. The volume of blood in the ventricles

Explanation

Blood pressure measures the force exerted by blood against arterial walls. It is recorded as systolic pressure over diastolic pressure.

Question 48Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

How is the numeric rating scale for pain correctly interpreted?

  1. 0 means worst pain and 10 means no pain
  2. 0 means mild pain and 10 means moderate pain
  3. 0 means moderate pain and 10 means severe pain Correct answer.
  4. 0 means no pain and 10 means worst pain

Explanation

On the 0-to-10 numeric rating scale, 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. The patient selects the number that best describes current pain intensity.

Question 49Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

Which finding defines orthostatic hypotension when vital signs are rechecked after standing?

  1. A drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes Correct answer.
  2. A rise of at least 10 mm Hg systolic within 3 minutes
  3. A rise of at least 20 mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes
  4. A drop of at least 5 mm Hg systolic within 3 minutes

Explanation

Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a fall of at least 20 mm Hg in systolic pressure or at least 10 mm Hg in diastolic pressure within 3 minutes of standing. This reflects impaired postural blood pressure regulation.

Question 50Vital Signs and Patient Monitoring

What effect does a blood pressure cuff that is too small have on the reading?

  1. Falsely high reading Correct answer.
  2. Irregular pulse reading
  3. Falsely low reading
  4. No effect on the reading

Explanation

A cuff that is too small compresses the arm over a smaller area, requiring higher pressure to occlude the artery. This causes the blood pressure reading to be falsely high.