PCT Safety Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's IV line has become disconnected and blood is flowing back. What is the FIRST action a PCT should take?
- Call the nurse immediately
- Apply pressure to the IV site
- Clamp the IV tubing (Correct answer)
- Reconnect the IV line
Correct answer: Clamp the IV tubing
Clamping the IV tubing immediately stops blood loss and prevents air embolism until a nurse can properly address the disconnection.
Question 2: Which color-coded sharps container should be used for chemotherapy needles?
- Red
- Yellow
- Purple (Correct answer)
- Black
Correct answer: Purple
Purple (or yellow with a purple lid) sharps containers are designated for chemotherapy and cytotoxic waste per OSHA and EPA guidelines.
Question 3: A patient on fall precautions needs to use the bathroom. The PCT should:
- Allow the patient to go alone since it's a short distance
- Assist the patient and remain with them throughout (Correct answer)
- Have the patient use a bedpan to avoid ambulation
- Notify the nurse and wait until the nurse assists
Correct answer: Assist the patient and remain with them throughout
A PCT must accompany and assist fall-precaution patients during all ambulation, including bathroom trips, to prevent falls.
Question 4: When using a gait belt to assist a patient who begins to fall, the PCT should:
- Try to hold the patient upright at all costs
- Step away to avoid being injured
- Guide the patient to a controlled descent to the floor (Correct answer)
- Pull the patient backward toward a wall
Correct answer: Guide the patient to a controlled descent to the floor
Guiding the patient into a controlled descent prevents injury to both the patient and the PCT, as trying to stop the fall entirely can cause musculoskeletal injury.
Question 5: Which type of fire extinguisher is safe to use on an electrical fire in a patient care area?
- Type A
- Type B
- Type C (Correct answer)
- Type D
Correct answer: Type C
Type C fire extinguishers use non-conductive agents and are specifically rated for electrical fires, making them safe around energized equipment.
Question 6: A PCT notices a patient's restraint has caused the skin to appear red and irritated. The correct action is to:
- Tighten the restraint to prevent further movement
- Remove the restraint, assess the skin, and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Apply lotion and continue using the restraint
- Document the finding and reassess in 4 hours
Correct answer: Remove the restraint, assess the skin, and notify the nurse
Signs of skin breakdown require immediate removal of the restraint, skin assessment, and nursing notification to prevent further injury.
Question 7: What does the acronym PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Prepare, Activate, Spray, Stop
- Pull, Alert, Secure, Sweep
- Point, Aim, Squeeze, Spray
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side — the standard technique for extinguisher use.
PCT Safety Procedures 2
A patient's IV line has become disconnected and blood is flowing back.
What is the FIRST action a PCT should take?