CPCT Random 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The normal resting respiratory rate for an adult is:
- 6–10 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 22–28 breaths per minute
- 30–36 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate at rest is 12–20 breaths per minute; values outside this range require prompt nursing notification.
Question 2: A patient receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and back pain shortly after the infusion begins. The PCT should first:
- Slow the infusion rate and continue monitoring
- Stop the transfusion and notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply warm blankets and reassess in 15 minutes
- Increase the IV flow rate to dilute the blood product
Correct answer: Stop the transfusion and notify the nurse immediately
These symptoms indicate a potential transfusion reaction; stopping the infusion immediately and notifying the nurse is the priority action.
Question 3: When collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen from a female patient, the correct sequence is:
- Cleanse once front to back, void a small amount, collect mid-stream
- Cleanse back to front three times, collect the first void
- Cleanse front to back three times, void a small amount, collect mid-stream (Correct answer)
- Collect any voided urine directly into the container
Correct answer: Cleanse front to back three times, void a small amount, collect mid-stream
Three front-to-back cleansing strokes minimize contamination, and discarding the initial stream flushes urethral bacteria before the specimen is collected.
Question 4: Which of the following is the safest method to identify a patient before a procedure?
- Ask the patient their room number
- Check the name on the door outside the room
- Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth and match to the armband (Correct answer)
- Verify with a family member present in the room
Correct answer: Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth and match to the armband
Using at least two patient identifiers—name and date of birth matched to the armband—is the Joint Commission–required standard for safe patient identification.
Question 5: An elderly patient is confused and trying to climb out of bed. The PCT's first action should be to:
- Apply soft wrist restraints immediately
- Reorient the patient, lower the bed, raise side rails, and stay with them while notifying the nurse (Correct answer)
- Ask security to remain at the bedside
- Administer PRN sedation as ordered
Correct answer: Reorient the patient, lower the bed, raise side rails, and stay with them while notifying the nurse
The least-restrictive intervention—reorientation, lowering the bed for safety, and notifying the nurse—should be attempted before considering restraints.
Question 6: When assisting a patient who has had a stroke with left-sided weakness, the PCT should dress the patient by:
- Dressing the right (strong) side first, then the left
- Dressing the left (weak) side first, then the right (Correct answer)
- Having the patient perform all dressing independently
- Dressing starting with the torso before any extremity
Correct answer: Dressing the left (weak) side first, then the right
Dressing the affected (weaker) side first reduces joint stress and makes it easier to maneuver clothing over the limb with limited range of motion.
Question 7: The purpose of the SBAR communication tool is to:
- Document nursing assessments in the chart
- Provide a structured format for reporting patient status to the care team (Correct answer)
- Schedule procedures in the correct order
- Track medication administration times
Correct answer: Provide a structured format for reporting patient status to the care team
SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) standardizes clinical communication to reduce errors during handoffs and urgent reports.
CPCT Random 4
The normal resting respiratory rate for an adult is: