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 has an irregular heart rhythm. The PCT counts 8 complete QRS complexes within a 6-second interval on the EKG printout.
What is the estimated heart rate?
a) 120 bpm
b) 80 bpm
c) 60 bpm
d) 48 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 slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece and hold the breath.”
b) “Cough vigorously into the tube to clear the airway of secretions.”
c) “Take rapid, shallow breaths into the device until you feel lightheaded.”
d) “Blow forcefully into the mouthpiece to raise the piston as high as possible.”

03. A PCT has just withdrawn the needle from a patient's arm after a venipuncture.
What should the PCT do with the needle?
a) Slide the plastic cap back over the needle with both hands
b) Set the needle on the bedside table until the patient is bandaged
c) Drop the needle into the sharps container without engaging the safety
d) Engage the safety shield immediately using a one-handed technique

04. A PCT is reviewing a regular EKG rhythm strip and counts exactly 20 small boxes between two consecutive R waves.
Using the 1500 method, what is the heart rate?
a) 150 bpm
b) 75 bpm
c) 60 bpm
d) 100 bpm

05. A PCT must lift a heavy object from the floor.
Which technique maintains proper body mechanics?
a) Hold the object at arm's length away from the body
b) Keep the feet close together for a narrow base of support
c) Bend the knees and lift with the large leg muscles
d) Bend at the waist while keeping the knees straight

06. A provider suspects a right ventricular infarction and orders a right-sided 12-lead EKG.
Where should the PCT place the V4R electrode?
a) In the 5th intercostal space at the right midaxillary line
b) On the patient's right shoulder
c) In the 5th intercostal space at the right midclavicular line
d) In the 4th intercostal space at the left sternal border

07. What is the standard paper speed setting for a routine adult EKG?
a) 10 mm/sec
b) 100 mm/sec
c) 50 mm/sec
d) 25 mm/sec

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

09. While assisting an elderly patient with a bed bath, a PCT sees multiple bruises in different stages of healing on the torso and inner arms. The patient appears frightened and will not discuss how the injuries happened.
What is the PCT's professional responsibility?
a) Wait and mention the bruises during the end-of-shift report
b) Report the observations to the charge nurse or provider immediately
c) Document the bruises and ask the patient's family about them later
d) Call adult protective services directly from the patient's room

10. Why must a PCT gently invert an evacuated tube the recommended number of times immediately after collection?
a) To mix the blood thoroughly with the tube's additive
b) To determine whether the tube was filled to the correct volume
c) To speed up the clotting process in all of the tubes
d) To keep blood from leaking out of the needle hole in the stopper

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