PCT Patient Care Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, which action should the PCT perform FIRST?
- Lock the wheelchair brakes (Correct answer)
- Assist the patient to a sitting position
- Place the wheelchair parallel to the bed
- Remove the patient's footrests
Correct answer: Lock the wheelchair brakes
Locking the wheelchair brakes before transfer prevents the chair from rolling and ensures patient safety.
Question 2: A patient's oral temperature reads 99.2°F (37.3°C). This is best classified as:
- Hypothermia
- Normal temperature
- Low-grade fever (Correct answer)
- High-grade fever
Correct answer: Low-grade fever
A temperature between 99°F and 100.4°F (37.2–38°C) is considered a low-grade fever in adults.
Question 3: Which position is most appropriate for a patient who is experiencing difficulty breathing?
- Supine
- Prone
- Fowler's (Correct answer)
- Sims'
Correct answer: Fowler's
Fowler's position (head of bed elevated 45–90°) promotes lung expansion and eases breathing.
Question 4: The PCT notices a patient's IV site is swollen, cool, and pale. This assessment is consistent with:
- Phlebitis
- Infiltration (Correct answer)
- Infection
- Air embolism
Correct answer: Infiltration
Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, causing swelling, coolness, and pallor at the site.
Question 5: A patient on a 1,500 mL fluid restriction asks for extra juice. The PCT should:
- Provide extra juice since the patient asked nicely
- Explain the restriction and offer a small amount within the allowed limit (Correct answer)
- Ignore the restriction and give whatever the patient wants
- Ask the patient to wait until the restriction is lifted
Correct answer: Explain the restriction and offer a small amount within the allowed limit
The PCT should educate the patient about the restriction while working within the physician's orders to meet patient needs.
Question 6: When applying anti-embolism stockings, the PCT should:
- Apply them while the patient is standing
- Measure the leg and apply them before the patient gets out of bed (Correct answer)
- Apply them only after ambulation
- Leave them on continuously, including during sleep
Correct answer: Measure the leg and apply them before the patient gets out of bed
Anti-embolism stockings are most effective when applied in the morning before getting up, using proper measurements to ensure correct fit.
Question 7: Which observation must be reported to the nurse immediately?
- A patient requests an extra pillow
- A patient has not had a bowel movement in 2 days
- A patient's urine output drops to 20 mL over the past hour (Correct answer)
- A patient requests the TV volume be increased
Correct answer: A patient's urine output drops to 20 mL over the past hour
Urine output below 30 mL/hour indicates possible renal compromise or poor perfusion and requires immediate nursing evaluation.
PCT Patient Care Fundamentals 2
When transferring a patient from bed to wheelchair, which action should the PCT perform FIRST?