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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

CPCT Practice Test: Check Your CPCT/A Knowledge

Quick, free quiz with CPCT exam questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Aldair FiljaUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for CPCT practice test quiz on a sky blue background

This CPCT practice test helps you check core patient care skills and CPCT/A exam topics. Get instant results with clear answers, then build confidence with more practice: try our pct practice test, brush up with the ccma practice test, or review fundamentals in the pca practice test.

Which PPE must be removed first to reduce self-contamination after routine patient care with visible splashes on gloves and gown only?
Face shield
Gloves
Gown
N95 respirator
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Which artery is most commonly used to assess an adult radial pulse?
Femoral artery at the groin on both sides simultaneously
Carotid artery in the neck on both sides simultaneously
Ulnar artery at the wrist on the little finger side
Radial artery at the wrist on the thumb side
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What is the best angle of needle insertion for routine venipuncture using a straight needle on an antecubital vein?
35 to 45 degrees
45 to 60 degrees
15 to 30 degrees
5 to 10 degrees
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Which position is used to improve breathing in a patient with shortness of breath?
Prone position
High Fowler position
Trendelenburg position
Lithotomy position
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Which tube color is appropriate first in the standard order of draw for blood cultures?
Yellow (SPS) or blood culture bottles
Lavender (EDTA)
Red (serum, no additive)
Light blue (citrate)
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Which isolation precaution is appropriate for a patient with C. difficile-associated diarrhea?
Droplet precautions only
Contact precautions with soap-and-water hand hygiene
Standard precautions are sufficient; no gown or gloves
Airborne precautions only
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When measuring an adult blood pressure with a manual cuff, the cuff bladder should cover approximately what percent of the arm circumference?
20% width and 60% length of arm circumference
100% width and 40% length of arm circumference
40% width and 80% length of arm circumference
60% width and 100% length of arm circumference
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Which ECG lead is a ground reference in a standard 5-lead cardiac monitoring setup?
V1 precordial electrode
Right arm (RA) electrode
Right leg (RL) electrode
Left arm (LA) electrode
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Which action prevents hemolysis during venipuncture?
Vigorously shake tubes for 30 seconds
Allow antiseptic to dry completely before puncture
Draw through a hematoma if veins are prominent
Use a small bore needle for all patients
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Which urine collection method is best for detecting a urinary tract infection in an alert adult?
Catheterization without sterile technique
24-hour pooled collection
Clean-catch midstream specimen
First-catch initial stream only
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Which ECG artifact is most likely caused by loose electrodes or poor skin prep?
Somatic tremor
Wandering baseline
Sinus arrhythmia
60-cycle interference
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For capillary puncture in adults, which site is recommended?
Center of the thumb pad
Earlobe
Radial artery
Lateral or medial sides of the fingertip (third or fourth finger)
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Which specimen should be protected from light after collection?
Bilirubin
Sodium
Chloride
BUN
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Which action is correct when using an AED on an adult patient?
Delay AED use until advanced providers arrive
Ensure no one is touching the patient during shock delivery
Place pads directly over implanted pacemaker bump
Apply oxygen at 15 L/min during shock
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Which order of draw is correct for routine venipuncture following CLSI guidelines?
Blood cultures, light blue, red/gold, green, lavender, gray
Light blue, blood cultures, red/gold, gray, green, lavender
Lavender, light blue, red/gold, green, gray, blood cultures
Red/gold, light blue, blood cultures, green, lavender, gray
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During nasopharyngeal specimen collection, which is the correct technique?
Insert swab parallel to the palate until resistance is met
Use the same swab for both nostrils without reinsertion
Insert upward toward the bridge of the nose at a steep angle
Rotate swab just inside the nostril
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Which ECG lead placement is correct for V1 in a 12-lead ECG?
Second intercostal space at the left sternal border
Fourth intercostal space at the left anterior axillary line
Fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line
Fourth intercostal space at the right sternal border
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Which measure ensures accuracy when performing point-of-care blood glucose testing?
Run quality control with controls per manufacturer schedule and after strip lot change
Use strips past expiration if stored closed
Use any patient's code settings; all meters are identical
Wipe away the first and second drops before testing
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A patient with suspected TB requires which transmission-based precautions?
Contact precautions with gown and gloves only
Droplet precautions with surgical mask
Standard precautions only
Airborne precautions with N95 respirator and negative pressure room
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Which statement about hemostasis after venipuncture is correct?
Replace gauze with cotton ball immediately
Apply clean gauze and direct pressure for 2 to 3 minutes or longer if needed
Bend the elbow tightly to stop bleeding
Remove bandage within 10 seconds
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand CPCT Practice Test Framework -

    Review the cpct practice test structure, including question types, content domains, and timing strategies to optimize your exam approach.

  2. Apply Clinical Skills for CPCT/A Scenarios -

    Apply cpct/a clinical skills to real-world scenarios by practicing patient assessments, vital signs measurement, and specimen collection within test-style questions.

  3. Demonstrate Key Patient Care Procedures -

    Demonstrate essential patient care procedures such as sterile technique, wound care, and mobility assistance through targeted practice questions modeled on the cpct exam.

  4. Analyze Special Patient Population Considerations -

    Analyze special patient groups - pediatrics, geriatrics, and bariatrics - to ensure safe and effective care across diverse clinical settings.

  5. Evaluate Infection Control and Safety Standards -

    Evaluate infection control protocols, safety regulations, and emergency procedures to maintain compliance with healthcare standards during patient interactions.

  6. Recall Professional Communication and Ethical Guidelines -

    Recall professional communication strategies and ethical guidelines essential for the nha patient care technician practice exam and real-world patient care roles.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Vital Signs Mastery -

    Mastering temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure is crucial for the cpct/a exam, with normal adult ranges of 97°F - 99°F, 60 - 100 bpm, 12 - 20 breaths/min, and 120/80 mmHg (American Heart Association). Use the formula °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9 for temperature conversions and log practice readings to reinforce accuracy. Consistent practice on your cpct practice test will build the confidence you need on exam day.

  2. Infection Control & Patient Safety -

    Adhere to CDC Standard Precautions and the WHO "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene" to break the chain of infection - Infectious agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, Host. Always perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact, and don PPE correctly to protect both you and your patient. These protocols form the backbone of safe practice on the nha patient care technician practice exam.

  3. Core Anatomy & Physiology Review -

    Use the mnemonic "MURDERS LINC" to recall the 11 body systems: Muscular, Urinary, Respiratory, Digestive, Endocrine, Reproductive, Skeletal, Lymphatic, Integumentary, Nervous, Cardiovascular (NIH). Understanding how these systems interact helps you respond to patient needs and interpret clinical signs. Link each system to common CPCT procedures - like integumentary checks during vital signs - to reinforce the concept.

  4. Essential Clinical Procedures -

    Master the "Six Rights" of medication administration - right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation - by running through scenario drills using your cpct test materials. Practice safe transfers with a gait belt step-by-step: assess patient ability, secure belt at waist, pivot smoothly, and communicate throughout. These hands-on skills are frequently tested on both the cpct exam and nha patient care technician practice exam.

  5. Caring for Special Patient Groups -

    Adapt communication and care for pediatric, geriatric, and disabled patients: use "Tell-Show-Do" for children and clear, respectful language for older adults (NIH geriatrics guidelines). Be mindful of sensory deficits - ensure glasses or hearing aids are in place - and check for fall risks. Tailoring your approach not only boosts patient comfort but also reflects the compassionate professionalism tested on your cpct practice test.

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