NHA CPCT/A Certification Sample Questions

The NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant Certification Sample Question Set on this page is designed to familiarize you with the actual NHA CPCT/A exam format and question types. These sample questions help you understand how questions are structured and what to expect on test day. While they provide a useful starting point, they represent only a limited preview of the real exam experience.

These sample questions are intended for evaluation and familiarization only. To understand exam style, pacing, and reasoning patterns more clearly, we recommend trying our online sample practice environment. If you are preparing for the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) and want to assess your readiness more rigorously, structured, timed, scenario-based practice is recommended. This approach aligns with the cognitive demands and professional expectations typically associated with patient care technicians, nursing assistants, patient care assistants and related roles working in settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health and related settings.

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The demo introduces core concepts, while full-length premium simulations provide deeper, scenario-based coverage that more closely reflects the actual cognitive demands of the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam, particularly in areas such as basic patient care, phlebotomy, EKG monitoring. You can use these sample questions as a starting point, then progress to the NHA CPCT/A Certification Practice Exam for stronger readiness. Our premium simulations are designed to mirror real exam conditions, helping you refine reasoning, pacing, and decision-making before your official exam attempt.

NHA CPCT/A Sample Questions:

01. A Patient Care Technician (PCT) is analyzing a regular EKG rhythm strip. There are exactly 20 small boxes between two consecutive R waves (the R-R interval). Using the 1500 method, what is the patient's heart rate?
a) 60 bpm
b) 150 bpm
c) 100 bpm
d) 75 bpm

02. A patient recovering from abdominal surgery has an order to use an incentive spirometer every hour while awake. How should the PCT instruct the patient to use the device?
a) "Inhale deeply and slowly through the mouthpiece, holding your breath for a few seconds."
b) "Take rapid, shallow breaths into the device until you feel dizzy."
c) "Blow forcefully into the mouthpiece to raise the piston."
d) "Cough vigorously directly into the tube to clear your airway."

03. A PCT enters a patient’s room to take oral vital signs and observes the patient finishing a cup of hot coffee. Which of the following actions should the PCT take?
a) Take the temperature axillary (under the arm) instead of orally.
b) Proceed with the oral temperature but add 1° F to the final reading.
c) Wait 15 to 20 minutes before measuring the oral temperature.
d) Take the temperature immediately but document that the patient just drank coffee.

04. A PCT is transporting a patient in a wheelchair to the radiology department. Which of the following actions is essential for patient safety during the transport?
a) Leave the wheels unlocked while the patient is waiting in the hallway.
b) Always back the wheelchair into an elevator so the patient faces the doors.
c) Allow the patient to hold their own IV pole while moving.
d) Position the patient's feet so they dangle just above the footrests.

05. A PCT is transporting a patient in a wheelchair to the radiology department. Which of the following actions is essential for patient safety during the transport?
a) Leave the wheels unlocked while the patient is waiting in the hallway.
b) Allow the patient to hold their own IV pole while moving.
c) Always back the wheelchair into an elevator so the patient faces the doors.
d) Position the patient's feet so they dangle just above the footrests.

06. To maintain proper body mechanics when lifting a heavy object, the PCT should:
a) Bend at the waist and keep the knees straight.
b) Keep the feet close together to maintain a narrow base of support.
c) Bend the knees and use the large muscles of the legs to lift.
d) Hold the object at arm's length away from the body.

07. Which of the following factors can cause an inaccurate (falsely low) pulse oximetry reading?
a) The probe is placed on the patient's earlobe.
b) The patient is resting quietly.
c) The patient's hands are warm and pink.
d) The patient is wearing dark-colored fingernail polish.

08. Who is legally responsible for obtaining informed consent from a patient before a surgical procedure?
a) The Registered Nurse
b) The Hospital Administrator
c) The Physician or Surgeon performing the procedure
d) The Patient Care Technician

09. While assisting a patient with diabetes to the chair, the PCT notices the patient is suddenly diaphoretic (sweaty), shaky, and appears confused. Which of the following should the PCT suspect first?
a) Hypertension (High blood pressure)
b) Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
c) Hyperglycemia (High blood sugar)
d) Myocardial Infarction (Heart attack)

10. A PCT is assisting a patient who is recovering from a left-side stroke and has right-sided weakness. The patient is using a single-point cane for ambulation. Which of the following is the correct instruction for the PCT to provide?
a) "Hold the cane in your left hand and move it forward with your right leg."
b) "Hold the cane in your right hand and move it forward with your right leg."
c) "Hold the cane in your right hand and move it forward with your left leg."
d) "Hold the cane in your left hand and move it forward with your left leg."

Answers:

For full-length, timed, scenario-based practice aligned with the official exam framework - and to build pacing, consistency, and confidence - explore our Premium NHA CPCT/A Certification Practice Exam.

Note: These sample questions are not official exam questions and are intended only for familiarization and study purposes. If you find any typos or data entry errors in these NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) sample questions, please let us know by emailing us at feedback@medicoexam.com