CRCST practice questions

Professional Development & Human Relations: CRCST practice questions and answers

Communication, teamwork, ethics, patient privacy and keeping your certification current. This topic is about 8% of the CRCST exam. Try each question before opening the answer.

1. 1. A technician overhears a coworker discussing a patient's diagnosis, using the patient's name, in the break room. What law is most relevant?

   • A. HIPAA, which protects the privacy of patient health information
   • B. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
   • C. The Americans with Disabilities Act
   • D. The Safe Medical Devices Act
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   A. HIPAA, which protects the privacy of patient health information

   HIPAA protects identifiable patient health information, and staff should only discuss it as needed for their job. The other laws address worker safety, disability rights and device reporting.

2. 2. What is required to keep the CRCST certification active?

   • A. Retaking the full exam every year
   • B. Working in a hospital for at least 10 years
   • C. Nothing; the certification never expires once earned
   • D. Completing the required continuing education each year and renewing as directed by HSPA
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   D. Completing the required continuing education each year and renewing as directed by HSPA

   CRCST holders must complete annual continuing education and keep their certification current with HSPA. Retaking the exam each year is not the renewal method.

3. 3. Two technicians disagree loudly about how to divide the work on the assembly line. What is the best first step toward resolving the conflict?

   • A. Ignore the conflict and hope it goes away
   • B. Discuss the conflict with the rest of the team on social media
   • C. Have them talk privately and calmly, each listening to the other's concerns to find a solution
   • D. Have the louder person decide how the work is divided
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   C. Have them talk privately and calmly, each listening to the other's concerns to find a solution

   Conflict is best addressed early, privately and respectfully, with both sides heard; if that fails, a supervisor can help. Ignoring conflict lets it grow, and favoring the louder person is unfair.

4. 4. Which behavior is the best example of active listening?

   • A. Planning your reply while the other person is speaking
   • B. Paying full attention and repeating back the main points to confirm understanding
   • C. Finishing the other person's sentences to save time
   • D. Looking at your phone while nodding along
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   B. Paying full attention and repeating back the main points to confirm understanding

   Active listening means focusing on the speaker and confirming what you heard, which reduces errors. Interrupting or planning a reply while they speak means you may miss important details.