PCT Safety Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88% while you are in the room. After applying oxygen as directed, what is the next step?
- Wait 10 minutes and recheck
- Notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Increase the oxygen flow rate on your own
- Document the reading and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Notify the nurse immediately
Any significant change in a patient's condition, including oxygen saturation below normal, must be immediately reported to the nurse for clinical evaluation.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct order for donning (putting on) PPE?
- Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
- Gown, mask, goggles, gloves (Correct answer)
- Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
- Goggles, gown, mask, gloves
Correct answer: Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
The CDC-recommended order for donning PPE is gown first, then mask/respirator, then goggles/face shield, and finally gloves last.
Question 3: A PCT receives a verbal report that a patient has a latex allergy. The room should be prepared with:
- Standard latex gloves only
- Latex-free gloves and latex-free supplies throughout (Correct answer)
- Nitrile gloves for the PCT but latex supplies are acceptable
- Hypoallergenic latex gloves as a compromise
Correct answer: Latex-free gloves and latex-free supplies throughout
All latex-containing products — including gloves, tubing, and equipment — must be removed and replaced with latex-free alternatives for patients with latex allergy.
Question 4: When transporting a patient on airborne precautions, the patient must wear a:
- Surgical mask (Correct answer)
- N95 respirator
- Face shield
- No mask is needed if transport is brief
Correct answer: Surgical mask
During transport, a patient on airborne precautions wears a surgical mask to contain droplet nuclei, while the PCT wears an N95 respirator.
Question 5: A patient tells you they are feeling dizzy and their call light was not answered. They got up without assistance and are now standing at the bedside. You should:
- Have the patient sit on the bed edge and stay with them (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to walk back to bed independently
- Leave to get help immediately
- Help the patient back to bed by pulling their arm
Correct answer: Have the patient sit on the bed edge and stay with them
Keep the patient stable and supervised at the bedside; leaving them standing alone increases fall risk, and pulling their arm could cause injury.
Question 6: Which statement about electrical safety in patient care areas is correct?
- Extension cords are acceptable if rated for medical use
- Frayed electrical cords should be reported and taken out of service immediately (Correct answer)
- Personal electric blankets from home are permitted
- Three-prong adapters can be used when outlets are full
Correct answer: Frayed electrical cords should be reported and taken out of service immediately
Frayed or damaged electrical cords pose shock and fire hazards and must be immediately removed from service and reported to biomedical engineering.
Question 7: A confused patient attempts to pull out their urinary catheter. The PCT's best initial response is to:
- Apply wrist restraints without notifying anyone
- Physically hold the patient's hands down
- Redirect the patient and notify the nurse promptly (Correct answer)
- Remove the catheter to prevent further agitation
Correct answer: Redirect the patient and notify the nurse promptly
Redirecting the patient and notifying the nurse is the appropriate first response; restraints require a physician order and nurse assessment.
PCT Safety Procedures 3
A patient's oxygen saturation drops to 88% while you are in the room.
After applying oxygen as directed, what is the next step?