CPCT/A Study Plan: 5-Week Schedule
Week-by-Week Preparation Guide for the NHA CPCT/A Exam
4–6 Week Preparation Guide
Certifying Body: National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
Exam Code: CPCT/A
Format: 110 scored questions + 10 pretest questions (120 total), 3 hours
Passing Score: Scaled score of 390 (on a 200–500 scale)
Prerequisites: High school diploma/GED + completion of training program OR 1 year supervised work experience
Cost: ~$117 (as of 2024; verify at nhanow.com)
About the Exam
The CPCT/A validates competency for patient care technicians who work under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals. The exam covers clinical skills, safety, professionalism, and patient interaction across healthcare settings.
Exam Content Domains (per NHA Content Outline)
Week-by-Week Study Plan
Week 1: Foundations & Patient Care Basics
Goal: Build core knowledge base; understand exam structure
Key Topics:
- •Vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pain assessment (the “5th vital sign”)
- •Body systems overview: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, GI, GU, integumentary
- •Medical terminology prefixes, suffixes, and root words
- •Patient rights and HIPAA basics
- •Scope of practice for PCTs vs. CNAs vs. nurses
Daily Schedule (2–3 hours/day):
- •Days 1–2: Read through NHA CPCT/A content outline; take a diagnostic practice exam to identify weak areas
- •Days 3–4: Vital signs — normal ranges, measurement techniques, documentation, factors affecting readings
- •Days 5–6: Body systems review — focus on anatomy & physiology relevant to patient care
- •Day 7: Review & practice quiz (50 questions)
Key Ranges to Memorize:
- •Temperature: 97.8–99.1°F (36.5–37.3°C)
- •Pulse (adult): 60–100 bpm
- •Respiration (adult): 12–20 breaths/min
- •Blood pressure (adult): <120/80 mmHg (normal)
- •Oxygen saturation: 95–100%
Week 2: Infection Control & Safety
Goal: Master infection prevention and workplace safety protocols
Key Topics:
- •Chain of infection (6 links): infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host
- •Standard Precautions vs. Transmission-Based Precautions (contact, droplet, airborne)
- •Hand hygiene: WHO “5 Moments” — before patient contact, before aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, after touching patient surroundings
- •PPE donning/doffing sequence
- •Sterilization vs. disinfection vs. sanitization
- •Sharps disposal and biohazard waste management
- •Fire safety (RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate)
- •Electrical safety, patient falls prevention
- •OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards
- •Hazard Communication (Safety Data Sheets)
Daily Schedule (2–3 hours/day):
- •Days 1–3: Infection control — chain of infection, precautions, hand hygiene, PPE
- •Days 4–5: Safety protocols — fire, electrical, falls, disaster preparedness
- •Days 6: Waste management, OSHA regulations, equipment safety
- •Day 7: Review & practice quiz (50 questions)
Week 3: Phlebotomy & EKG
Goal: Develop competency in specimen collection and cardiac monitoring
Key Topics — Phlebotomy:
- •Order of draw: Blood cultures (yellow SPS), Light blue (sodium citrate), Red (no additive), Gold/SST (gel separator), Green (heparin), Lavender (EDTA), Gray (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate)
- •Venipuncture procedure: site selection (antecubital fossa), needle gauge selection (21G or 22G standard), angle of insertion (15–30°)
- •Capillary puncture (fingerstick/heelstick)
- •Patient identification (2 identifiers minimum)
- •Specimen labeling, handling, processing, and rejection criteria
- •Common tubes and additive functions
- •Hemolysis prevention
Key Topics — EKG:
- •Cardiac conduction system: SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers
- •Normal sinus rhythm waveform: P wave, QRS complex, T wave, PR interval, QT interval, ST segment
- •12-lead electrode placement
- •Artifact recognition and troubleshooting
- •Common arrhythmias: sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation
Daily Schedule (2–3 hours/day):
- •Days 1–3: Phlebotomy — order of draw, technique, complications, specimen handling
- •Days 4–5: EKG — cardiac anatomy, conduction, waveform interpretation, electrode placement
- •Days 6: Practice rhythm strip identification (20–30 strips)
- •Day 7: Review & practice quiz (50 questions)
Week 4: Patient Care Skills & Procedures
Goal: Master hands-on patient care procedures
Key Topics:
- •Bed making: occupied and unoccupied
- •Patient positioning: Fowler’s (45–60°), Semi-Fowler’s (15–30°), Supine, Prone, Lateral, Sims’, Trendelenburg
- •Patient transfers and body mechanics: pivoting, sliding board, mechanical lift
- •ROM (Range of Motion) exercises: active, passive, active-assistive
- •Activities of daily living (ADLs): bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, grooming
- •Catheter care: insertion, maintenance, removal; closed system drainage
- •Wound care: stages of wound healing, dressing changes, wound assessment
- •Ostomy care basics
- •Intake and output (I&O) measurement
- •Specimen collection: urine (clean-catch midstream, 24-hour), stool, sputum
- •Nutrition: therapeutic diets (diabetic, cardiac, renal, low-sodium), food textures, thickened liquids
- •Tube feeding basics
- •Death and dying: postmortem care
Daily Schedule (2–3 hours/day):
- •Days 1–2: Patient mobility — transfers, positioning, body mechanics, ROM
- •Days 3–4: ADLs, hygiene, catheter care, wound care
- •Days 5–6: Nutrition, I&O, specimen collection, discharge procedures
- •Day 7: Review & practice quiz (50 questions)
Week 5: Professionalism, Communication & Comprehensive Review
Goal: Fill gaps; integrate knowledge across domains
Key Topics:
- •Therapeutic communication techniques: active listening, open-ended questions, reflection, clarification
- •Nonverbal communication
- •Cultural sensitivity and patient diversity
- •Grief and loss stages (Kübler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance)
- •Abuse recognition and mandatory reporting
- •Medical law and ethics: informed consent, advance directives, DNR, scope of practice
- •Documentation: SOAP notes, legal charting principles, late entries
- •Chain of command
- •Patient education and health literacy
Daily Schedule (2–3 hours/day):
- •Days 1–2: Communication, professionalism, legal/ethical issues
- •Days 3–4: Comprehensive review of weakest domains (based on practice test results)
- •Days 5–6: Take 2 full-length practice exams; review all incorrect answers
- •Day 7: Light review of missed concepts; rest
Week 6: Final Review & Test Readiness (Optional if needed)
Goal: Peak performance; build confidence
Daily Schedule (1–2 hours/day):
- •Days 1–2: Targeted review of remaining weak areas
- •Days 3–4: 2 more full-length practice exams; aim for 80%+ consistently
- •Day 5: Review mnemonics and high-yield facts only
- •Day 6: Light review; prepare logistics (ID, testing center location, arrival time)
- •Day 7: REST — no studying. Trust your preparation.
Test-Taking Tips
- Read every word — NHA questions often include qualifiers (“best,” “first,” “most appropriate”) that change the correct answer
- Patient safety first — When in doubt, choose the answer that prioritizes patient safety
- ABCs — Airway, Breathing, Circulation is the priority framework for emergency questions
- Eliminate wrong answers — Usually 2 of 4 answers are clearly wrong; focus on the remaining 2
- Don’t overthink — Your first instinct is often correct; only change answers if you have a clear reason
- Pace yourself — ~1.5 minutes per question; flag difficult ones and return
- Use the process of elimination aggressively on “select all that apply” questions
- Know your normal values — vital signs, lab values, and EKG measurements are frequently tested
- “Under the supervision of” — PCTs work under RN/LPN direction; answers should reflect this scope
Recommended Resources
Primary:
- •NHA CPCT/A Candidate Handbook and Content Outline (free at nhanow.com)
- •NHA CPCT/A Practice Exams (available through nhanow.com)
- •Patient Care Technician Textbook — Amy Stegen (Pearson)
Supplementary:
- •Mosby’s Textbook for Nursing Assistants — Sheila A. Sorrentino
- •Phlebotomy Essentials — Ruth McCall
- •ECG Made Easy — John R. Hampton
- •NHA Pocket Prep app (practice questions on mobile)
Free Resources:
- •RegisteredNurseRN YouTube channel (patient care skills videos)
- •NHA sample questions page
- •Quizlet CPCT/A flashcard sets (verify accuracy against official sources)
Sources
- •National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — nhanow.com
- •NHA CPCT/A Certification Exam Content Outline (2024)
- •OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard — 29 CFR 1910.1030
- •WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009)
- •Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) — phlebotomy standards
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CPCT/A exam?
The CPCT/A is a professional certification exam. For a comprehensive study guide with practice questions and full-length exams, see our Patient Care Technician Study Guide.
How should I prepare for the CPCT/A?
Start with a structured study plan, use official exam blueprints, and practice with realistic exam questions. Our Patient Care Technician Study Guide covers the complete exam content with detailed rationales.
Where can I find CPCT/A practice questions?
Our Patient Care Technician Study Guide includes full-length practice exams with detailed answer rationales covering every content area on the actual exam.