Name a common piece of equipment a PCT might use during patient care.

A sphygmomanometer is a common piece of equipment that a Patient Care Technician (PCT) would use during patient care to measure blood pressure. This device is essential in monitoring vital signs, which are critical in assessing a patient's health status. Accurate blood pressure readings help in diagnosing conditions such as hypertension and provide important data for treatment planning.

In contrast, a defibrillator is primarily used in emergency situations to restore a normal heartbeat, while both an X-ray machine and an ultrasound machine are diagnostic tools used by radiology or imaging departments rather than in direct patient care by a PCT. These pieces of equipment do not routinely come into play in the everyday tasks that a PCT performs, which mainly involve direct patient interactions and monitoring.