NCCT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NCCT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Seven Rights' of medication administration? → Right Provider
2. The medical term for a slow heart rate is: → Bradycardia
3. When contact with bodily fluid is possible, the Patient Care Technician should wear: → All of the above
4. Which EKG finding is the hallmark of a third-degree (complete) heart block? → Complete dissociation between P waves and QRS complexes
5. The QT interval represents: → Total ventricular depolarization and repolarization
6. The suffix '-itis' means: → Inflammation
7. Which route of medication administration has the fastest absorption rate? → Intravenous
8. The most important step in the performance of a venipuncture is: → Positively identifying the patient
9. The term 'bilateral' means: → Pertaining to both sides
10. The medical term 'nocturia' refers to: → Frequent urination at night
11. Which disinfection level is required for semicritical items (e.g., respiratory therapy equipment)? → High-level disinfection
12. Genetic counseling and organ transplant decisions require consideration of: → Quality of life for the patient
13. Which of the following is the primary pacemaker of the heart? → SA node
14. A patient's EKG shows a rapid, wide-complex tachycardia with a regular rhythm. What is the most likely life-threatening arrhythmia? → Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)
15. Which vascular access site is considered the 'gold standard' for long-term hemodialysis? → Arteriovenous fistula
16. Which of the following is not a chest location? → Duodenum
17. ________________ laws allow physicians and Patient Care Technicians to render aid at the scene of an accident without fear of lawsuits. → Good Samaritan
18. What is the purpose of the primary layer of a dressing, which is in direct contact with the wound? → To be non-adherent and prevent trauma to the wound upon removal
19. The normal respiratory rate for a resting adult is: → 12–20 breaths/min
20. An EKG strip shows an irregularly irregular rhythm with no discernible P waves and a variable ventricular rate. What is the most likely interpretation? → Atrial Fibrillation
21. When cleansing the venipuncture site, it is good practice to: → Cleanse the site from the inside out and allow it to air dry
22. Ventricular fibrillation on ECG appears as: → Chaotic irregular waveform with no identifiable complexes
23. Autoclave sterilization uses which combination to destroy all microorganisms? → Steam under pressure and heat
24. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are used to report: → Medical services and procedures
25. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be removed in which order? → Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
26. A patient's insurance requires pre-authorization for an MRI. What is the primary purpose of this process? → To obtain approval from the insurance company for a service to be covered
27. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by which ECG finding? → Absent P waves with an irregularly irregular rhythm
28. Sterilization differs from disinfection in that sterilization: → Destroys all forms of microbial life including spores
29. Which of the following is a contraindication for applying heat therapy? → Acute injury within 48 hours
30. When performing a venipuncture, if you have the patient __________ the veins will become more prominent. → make a fist