If you need help studying for the National Patient Care Technician (NCPCT) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free Patient Care Technician practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 150 questions total, but only 125 question will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 25 unscored questions on the Patient Care Technician exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours. You can take a break any time you want, but the timer will not be stopped.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the Radiography exam.
1. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
24 scored questions
These are some of the specific topics covered in this section:
- Adhering to the Patient’s Bill of Rights (AHA)
- Explaining procedures within the regulated scope of practice
- Obtaining patient permission before performing procedures
- Adapting care to account for cultural diversity or spiritual beliefs
- Reporting sexual harassment involving staff or patients
- Complying with laws related to scope of employment
- Observing the chain of command in a healthcare environment
2. SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL
25 scored questions
These are some of the specific topics covered in this section:
- Using PPE
- Transferring patients using correct body mechanics
- Following the appropriate course of action for medical follow-up of a post-exposure incident
- Performing medical and surgical asepsis
- Monitoring and maintaining patients’ environment
- Instructing patients and family members regarding infection control
- Complying with OSHA standards for healthcare workers
3. DIRECT PATIENT CARE
37 scored questions
These are some of the specific topics covered in this section:
- Performing ostomy care
- Assisting patients with restorative rehab activities
- Identifying and reporting changes in skin integrity
- Adhering to the Five Rights of Delegation
- Repositioning a patient
- Observing dressings for wound condition changes
- Assisting with preoperative and postoperative care
- Performing catheter care
- Performing or assisting with enemas
- Preparing supplies and equipment to be used by the patient
- Performing a pulse oximetry measurement
4. PHLEBOTOMY
20 scored questions
These are some of the specific topics covered in this section:
- Identifying microsampling equipment typically found on a blood collection tray
- Selecting proper equipment for use with patients that have latex allergies
- Performing capillary punctures by fingerstick
- Responding to phlebotomy complications
- Calculating volume requirements to avoid causing iatrogenic anemia
- Differentiating among the uses of evacuated tubes
- Anticipating pre-analytical errors and complications
5. ECG
19 scored questions
These are some of the specific topics covered in this section:
- Placing electrodes in the patient appropriately for the test
- Adapting technique for special populations
- Initiating response to life-threatening arrythmias per protocol
- Educating the patient regarding behavior during test
- Recognizing atrial and ventricular abnormalities
- Preparing and positioning the patient for testing
- Operating the ECG machine per manufacturer’s and facility’s protocol
- Identifying recording errors
How to Register
To begin the registration process, you’ll need to create an NCCT account on their website and fill out the application and registration information.
You’ll also need to pay the $119 examination fee.
Patient Care Technician Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The Patient Care Technician exam is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 200 and 720. You will need a score of at least 575 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! After 30 days, you can take the test again.
Once you take the test for a third time, you’ll have to wait for a full year before taking it a fourth time. Your fourth attempt will be your final attempt.
FAQs
How many questions are on the Patient Care Technician exam?
There are 150 questions on the exam.
What is the time limit for the Patient Care Technician exam?
The test is timed at 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the Patient Care Technician exam?
You’ll need to score at least 575 to pass.