Free PCT Non-Blood Specimen Collection Questions and Answers

Question 1

When instructing a female patient on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, the PCT should tell her to:

Accepted Answer

Begin urinating into the toilet, then collect the specimen

Answer

A clean-catch midstream specimen requires careful technique to prevent contamination. The patient should first clean the perineal area, then begin urinating into the toilet, stop the stream, collect the specimen in the cup, and finally finish urinating in the toilet. This ensures the sample is from the middle of the urine stream, which is least likely to be contaminated.

Question 2

A PCT is collecting a 24-hour urine specimen. The patient voids at 8:00 AM. What should the PCT do with this first specimen?

Accepted Answer

Discard the specimen and start the collection

Answer

A 24-hour urine collection begins with an empty bladder. Therefore, the first voided specimen at the start time (e.g., 8:00 AM) is discarded. All subsequent urine for the next 24 hours, including the final void at the end of the period (8:00 AM the next day), is collected.

Question 3

When collecting a stool specimen for ova and parasites (O&P), what is a critical step?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the specimen is not contaminated with urine

Answer

A stool specimen for O&P must be taken to the laboratory immediately while it is still warm. This is because parasites have a limited lifespan outside the body, and a delay can lead to their disintegration, resulting in a false-negative test.

Question 4

What is the best time of day to collect a sputum specimen?

Accepted Answer

In the early morning upon waking

Answer

The best time to collect a sputum specimen is first thing in the morning. Secretions pool in the airways overnight, making the morning specimen more concentrated and more likely to contain the microorganisms needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Question 5

A PCT needs to collect a sputum specimen for culture. The patient is having difficulty producing a sample. The PCT should instruct the patient to:

Accepted Answer

Take a few deep breaths and then cough deeply

Answer

To obtain a good sputum sample, the patient must cough deeply from the lungs, not just clear their throat. Taking several deep breaths first can help mobilize secretions and trigger a productive cough to bring up sputum from deep within the respiratory tract.

Patient Care Technician Test Practice Test

Patient Care Technician Test Practice Test

Free PCT Non-Blood Specimen Collection Questions and Answers