Examination Practice Questions And

Illinois Patient Care Technician Licensing Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in patient care?
• To make hands smell clean
• To reduce visible dirt
• To impress patients
• To prevent the spread of infection

Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective way to reduce transmission

of microorganisms and prevent infections.

• What is the normal adult respiratory rate? 1 / 4

• 10–12 breaths/min
• 28–35 breaths/min
• 12–20 breaths/min
• 20–30 breaths/min

Rationale: Normal adult respiration falls between 12–20 breaths per

minute.

• A PCT should place a patient with shortness of breath in which position?
• Supine
• Prone
• Fowler’s or high Fowler’s
• Trendelenburg

Rationale: Upright positions ease lung expansion and improve breathing.

4. When identifying a patient before a procedure, the PCT should use:

• A room number only
• Clothing description
• Family member confirmation
• Two identifiers (name and DOB)

Rationale: National Patient Safety Goals require two verified identifiers.

• The best time to measure a patient's baseline vital signs is: 2 / 4

• After meals
• Upon admission
• Before sleep
• During a procedure

Rationale: Baseline vitals are taken at admission to compare future

readings.

• What should a PCT do if a patient begins to fall?
• Catch the patient fully
• Pull them upright
• Run for a nurse
• Guide them to the floor safely

Rationale: Guiding reduces injury risk to the patient and staff.

• Which PPE item is most important for preventing airborne infection?
• Gloves
• Gown
• N95 respirator
• Shoe covers

Rationale: Airborne pathogens require a fitted N95 mask.

• A heart rate of 48 bpm in an adult is considered: 3 / 4

• Normal
• Tachycardia
• Bradycardia
• Hypertensive

Rationale: Bradycardia is defined as HR <60 bpm.

9. When collecting a clean-catch urine specimen, the patient must:

• Urinate into any container
• Skip cleansing
• Fill container completely
• Cleanse the perineal area before voiding

Rationale: Cleaning reduces contamination of the sample.

• What should a PCT do when receiving a verbal request from a nurse?
• Ignore it
• Do something else first
• Repeat the instructions back
• Wait until later

Rationale: Read-back ensures accuracy and patient safety.

• What is the first step before transferring a patient from bed to

wheelchair?

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