CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Tech) national exam practice questions

A phlebotomist must choose the right tube color and additive for the corresponding _______?

Laboratory test

When a new lot # or kit is opened

When should a phlebotomist perform external liquid controls for quality control on a CLIA-waived point of care test?

1 to 2 minutes

A phlebotomist is drawing 5 blood collection tubes. When should the tourniquet be released?

Providone Iodine"

What agent should a phlebotomist cleanse the skin with before drawing blood cultures?

Blood cultures

According to the CLSI order of draw guidelines, which of the following samples should the phlebotomist collect first?

Blood cultures

coagulation

electrolytes

glucose levels

SST (serum separator tube)

Which of the following is appropriate to use when collecting for a chemistry test that requires serum?

SST

SPS

EDTA

PST

saturate each circle

After performing a heel puncture for neonatal screening, which of the following is the correct procedure for collecting the blood?

Smear the blood on the circle

saturate each circle

touch the heel to the center of the circle

drop the blood on the circle

Release the tourniquet and stop the draw

A phlebotomist observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The phlebotomist should??

When a patient is tested

When should the code on glucose cuvettes or strips be compared to the code on the glucose meter?

Ask the patient when she last ate or drank

The phlebotomist needs to draw a glucose tolerance test (GTT) on a patient and notices an empty breakfast plate on the bedside table. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?

EDTA

Tubes with what additive should be used when collecting a sample for CBC

Arterial blood gases

When preparing for transport, what specimens must be placed into an ice bath within 30 minutes after collection?

An incorrect needle gauge

Which of the following actions would result in a grossly hemolyzed specimen?

An incorrect order of draw

applying the tourniquet too close to the draw site

failure to invert the tube

an incorrect needle gauge

Below the IV

The phlebotomist must perform a blood draw on a patient with an IV on the right side, and there has been a mastectomy on the left side. Where should the phlebotomist perform the venipuncture?

Don't draw until the nurse has attached a wristband to the patient

Before collecting blood on an inpatient, the phlebotomist notices that the patient does not have a wristband on his wrist, but there is one attached to the patient's IV stand. Which of the following is the proper action?

O2 levels

A phlebotomist receives orders to draw an infant screening card, O2 levels, bilirubin and DNA. Which of the following should be drawn first?

Bilirubin

O2 levels

DNA

Screening card

The biohazard bag prevents a possible exposure incident

Why is it important to place a specimen in a biohazard specimen bag when transporting to an outside laboratory?

15 to 30 degree angle

Industry standard states that needle insertion in the antecubital area should be at??

Dorsal veins

Some older adults or obese patients may not have accessible antecubital veins. In this situation, the phlebotomist may use which of the following?

Initial and mark date/time on each tube

Before leaving the patient's room, which of the following actions is required for the phlebotomist to take?

Check for breathing

During a draw, the patient becomes unresponsive What is the next action the phlebotomist should take?

Inspect the integrity of the needle's seal

What action should a phlebotomist take to verify the quality of veinpuncture supplies before beginning a blood draw on an adult patient?

Engage the needle safety device

Which of the following is the next step after removing the needle from the patient's arm?

Ask the patient to open his fist

remove the tourniquet

engage the needle safety device

invert all tubes

To determine if the patient is at risk for developing iatrogenic anemia

Why should the phlebotomist document the total volume of blood drawn from a patient?

Wear gloves when contact with blood is anticipated

Phlebotomists should comply with which of the following OSHA requirements specific to the venipuncture procedure?

Wear gloves when contact with blood is anticipated

wear safety glasses if spashes, spray, splatter or droplets of blood may be generated

Recap contaminated venipuncture devices to reduce exposure incidents

Green, lavender, gray (G,P,G)

Which of the following indicates the correct order of draw?

Lavender, green, gray

Gray, green, lavender

Green, gray, lavender

Green, lavender, gray

Inform the patient to contact the ordering physician to get the results

A patient comes in to find out his test results. The phlebotomist notices the results are ready and verifies the patient's identity. Which of the following action is most appropriate?

2-10 degrees C

The phlebotomist draws a CBC at the physician's office at 1800. The laboratory closed at 1730 and will not process specimens again until 0500. Which of the following is the proper temperature for preserving the specimen?

37-39 degrees C

15-30 degrees C

2-10 degrees C

-20 to -10 degrees C

Verbal, wrist band

which of the following are appropriate forms of ID in the inpatient setting?

Verbal, wrist band

Medical chart, nurse

Family member, driver's license

Clergy person, physician

Test requisition

What is the first step in the blood collection procedure? (have to have orders before anything can be drawn obviously)

Median cubital

When collecting a routine blood sample, which of the following vessels should the phlebotomist attempt to draw from first?

A transfusion reaction

What is a potential consequence of mislabeling a blood bank specimen?

benzalkonium chloride (BZK)

What is an appropriate cleanser for cleansing around the urinary meatus in a clean-catch urine collection?

Veins are inaccessible

Capillary specimen collection is preferred over venipuncture when?

Perform the venipuncture

Before a phlebotomist performs a venipuncture, the patient warns that he is HIV positive. According to OSHA regulations, after donning gloves, the phlebotomist should?

The incorrect data may be reported to the healthcare provider

Which of the following outcomes is the most damaging if data is entered incorrectly into the automated laboratory information system?

Implied consent

A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient in the hospital. The patient extends his arm and turns his head away. What type of consent does this indicate?

The lab rejects the mislabeled specimen

A physician orders a STAT specimen but the phlebotomist forgets to fill out the patient ID number. What is the appropriate procedure for an improper labeled specimen once the outside lab receives it?

Send the results to the physician in a marked envelope

What is an example of the acceptable reporting of routine lab results?

The median cubital vein could be more accessible on one side then the other

The phlebotomist should examine the antecubital veins of both arms for which of the following reasons?

Shock

For which of the following does emergency first-aid treatment include maintaining an open airway, controlling bleeding, and keeping the victim warm until help arrives?

Either heel

The phlebotomist has a request to collect a routine CBC From a healthy 10 month old infant. Which of the following is the most appropriate collection site?

36-38 degree C

At what temp should a semen sample be transported by the phlebotomist?

Flush the injured area with running water (said "soap & water" on prior exams)

During venipunture the phlebotomist is stuck with a used needle. What is the first action the phlebotomist should take?

Petechiae

After placing the tourniquet on the patient's arm, the phlebotomist notices small red spots below the tourniquet. Which of the following is the correct term for these spots?

Patient's information

A phlebotomist should comply with HIPAA to protect which of the following?

For no longer than 60 seconds

How long should a tourniquet be left on a patient's arm?

Release the tourniquet and remove the needle.

During a venipuncture, the patient reports a sharp pain radiating down his arm. What action should the phlebotomist take?

These areas are more prone to infection

Why should a phlebotomist avoid drawing blood from the leg or foot of a diabetic?

Complete medical history

a phlebotomist is required to obtain which of the following from a potential blood donor?

Clotting (coagulation)

A phlebotomist must invert anticoagulant tubes to prevent which of the following?

An increase rate of coagulation

The order of draw for capillary collections is different than venipuncture because of?

"As soon as you collect the specimen, keep it next to your body (to keep it closer to normal body temp). We will need to submit it right away for testing"

A phlebotomist working in a fertility clinic draws blood from a patient who also must submit a semen sample for analysis. Which of the following should the phlebotomist tell the patient?

Apply pressure to prevent leakage of blood into the tissues.

What is the best method to prevent internal or external bleeding from the venipuncture site after the needle is removed?

Choose a syringe and butterfly assembly and transfer to an ETS tube

What is the best method to collect a blood specimen from an older adult patient who has fragile, easy to collapse veins?

Apply direct pressure to the wound

A phlebotomist working in an outpatient facility finds an unconscious patient in the waiting room bleeding profusely from the leg. What action should the phlebotomist take first?

The ordered test can be performed on a capillary specimen

A patient asks a phlebotomist to please use her finger for the blood work. The phlebotomist can do this if....?

"When was the last time you ate?"

What question is the most important to ask the patient prior to collecting a metabolic panel?

Paternity testing

What circumstance would you need to abide by chain of custody guidelines?

Report the results to the patient's physician

A phlebotomist performs a point-of-care glucose test on an outpatient. The results are in the critical value range. What is the appropriate action?

Return after drawing other patients

Upon entering a patient's room, a phlebotomist notices a clergy member is with the patient. The phlebotomist should....

Describe the procedure

A patient states that this is his first blood draw. Which of the following actions is appropriate?

Lavender top

Which of the following tubes should be collected first for dermal samples?

Shut off power to the instrument

A phlebotomist sees a coworker receive a major electrical shock from an instrument. What is the first thing the phlebotomist should do?

Assess the site, cleanse the site, insert the needle

Which of the following venipuncture steps are in the appropriate order?

Insert the needle, place the tourniquet, label the tube

Assess the site, cleanse the site, insert the needle

Identify the patient, cleans the site, assess the site

the site is cleaned more stringently

performing a venipuncture for blood cultures differs from other venipuncture procedures in that...

Iatrogenic anemia

A phlebotomist collects multiple specimens on a premature infant. What is a possible result (complication) of the procedure?

Accession number

Which of the following identifies a specimen as long as it remains in the laboratory?

ICD-10 code

accession number

CPT code

medical record number

Presurgical

When a phlebotomist is distributing lab results to ordering physicians, which results have priority?

lead

basal metabolic panel

presurgical

ferritin

Speak with the patient's guardian before performing the blood draw to ensure the explanation is understood.

A phlebotomist has a requisition to draw blood on a patient who has severe Down syndrome. Which of the following steps should he take?

Explain the procedure to the patient in simple terms, then proceed with the venipuncture.

Speak with the patient's guardian before performing the blood draw to ensure the explanation is understood.

Draw the patient's blood without trying to explain the procedure.

Check with the nurse (you need to know the actual time the patient took the medication)

A physician ordered a Tobramycin level to be drawn one hour after dose. The tobramycin has been ordered for 1100. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?

Confirm the correct identify of the patient

Which of the following procedural steps for a finger stick should the phlebotomist do first?

Cleanse the site with an antiseptic wipe

Position the blade of the lancet across the line of the fingertip

Confirm the correct identify of the patient

Apply ice to the site

A phlebotomist is drawing blood and observes red spots. What is the appropriate action?

Discontinue the draw

You are performing a blood draw and the patient begins to have a seizure. What is the appropriate action?

"Hi, I am Sally Smith. I am a student phlebotomist and I am here to collect a blood specimen." (name, that you're a student, and that you are here to do a blood draw)

Which of the following statement is an appropriate introduction for a student phlebotomist?

Lavender and red

WBC, RBC, glucose and electrolyte tests are ordered for a patient. The phlebotomist is unable to find an accessible vein and has determined that it is acceptable to perform a skin puncture. What color tubes should be drawn?

Cleanse the site in an outward spiral

Which is the proper cleansing procedure for routine venipuncture?

Cleanse the site in an outward spiral

Cleanse the site in an overlapping circle

Cleanse the site in an inward spiral

Place the specimen tube in an ice water slurry

Which of the following is the proper procedure after collecting an ammonia specimen?

Protect the specimen tube from light

Keep the specimen tube warm

Keep the specimen at body temp

Place the specimen in an ice water slurry

Position the needle in the same direction as the vein and at a 30 degree angle with the bevel up

When performing an evacuated tube system (ETS) venipuncture, a phlebotomist should?

Position the needle in the same direction as the vein and at a 30-degree angle with bevel up

Position the needle near the vein and at a 15-degree angle bevel up

Position the needle near the vein and at a 15-degree angle with bevel down

Attempt to draw from the antecubital region

A diabetic patient states she prefers to be drawn on the inside of her wrist. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?

Drawn from the inside of the patient's wrist

Attempt to draw from the antecubital region

Warm the ventral side of the hand to enhance vein location prior to draw

Place a 1-mm drop of blood a half-inch from the edge of the slide

Which of the following actions is appropriate for preparing a peripheral blood smear?

Place a drop of blood the size of a dime on the center of the slide

Place a 1-mm drop of blood a half-inch from the edge of the slide

Place a 1-mm drop of blood on the center of the slide

Requires time for antiseptic action

When alcohol is used to cleanse the venipuncture site, it must be allowed to air dry prior to the venipuncture because alcohol....?

Requires time for antiseptic action

destroys WBCs

Compromises the additives in the tubes

Winged infusion set (butterfly) and adapter

A phlebotomist is preparing to perform a hand draw. which of the following should he assemble?

Winged infusion set (butterfly) and adapter

Syringe and vacutainer

ETS needle and transfer device

Sodium citrate

You should use which of the following anticoagulants to collect a PT/PTT test?

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ETA)

Sodium citrate

Potassium oxalate

Heparin

Potassium

Which of the following test results are affected when providone iodine is used to cleanse the site for a dermal puncture?

glucose

blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

potassium

coagulant studies

Labeling specimens at the time of collection in front of the patient

what is the appropriate action when labeling specimens?

A syringe draw transferred into a light blue vacutainer

A patient states that she is a difficult draw and requests a skin puncture. The test ordered is a PTT. Which should a phlebotomist perform?

A capillary draw into a light blue microtainer

A capillary draw into a lavender microtainer

A syringe draw transferred into a lavender vacutainer

A syringe draw transferred into a light blue vacutainer

An aerobic and anaerobic bottle

Blood cultures have been ordered on a patient in the ICU. Which containers should the phlebotomist bring for the blood draw?

Syncope

During a routine blood draw the patient becomes pale and diaphoretic. What condition is most likely about to occur?

"I will collect the specimen in a sterile container and return within 1 hour"

A phlebotomist is educating a patient about the proper at home collection procedure for a semen specimen. Which of the following statements indicates the patient understands the teaching?

"I will collect the specimen in a sterile container and refrigerate"

"I will collect the specimen in a sterile container and return within 1 hour"

"I will abstain from ejaculation for three days prior to the test"

240-330 ml (easier to remember 3.3)

Which of the following is the total blood volume of a 3.3 kg infant?

350-390 ml

125-230 ml

240-330 ml

405-450 ml

Shaking the tube vigorously

Which of the following can cause a hemolyzed specimen?

Inverting the specimen four times

partially filling the collection tube

shaking the tube vigorously

allowing the specimen to clot

N-95 respirator

What provides the phlebotomist the best protection when drawing blood from a patient with active TB?

The specimen was insufficient ("quantity insufficient")

A blood specimen was rejected by the lab with the abbreviation of "QNS". What does this mean?

Insert until a change in resistance

when performing a venipuncture on a patient of average weight, which of the following is a correct technique for needle insertion?

Insert half an inch

Insert 1.5"

Insert until a change in resistance

Insert until it meets resistance

Cells must be separated from the serum

A phlebotomist must centrifuge a serum specimen before shipment to an outside lab because...?

Cells will hemolyze

cells must be separated from the serum

platelets must be separated from the serum

WBC will be elevated

Insert a new tube to see if it will fill

While forming a venipuncture, the first tube fills, but the second tube slows and does not fill completely. The phlebotomist needs to draw 2 additional tubes. Which of the following steps should the phlebotomist take?

Tell the patient she will need to perform another venipuncture

Write "QNS" on teh requisition for the other tests

Submit the existing tubes for all the ordered tests

Insert a new tube to see if it will fill

Implied consent

A 69-year-old unconscious patient is brought to the ER. Several blood tests are ordered. The phlebotomist collects blood under....?

Informed consent

active consent

implied consent

explicit consent

place in a box with cold packs and a biohazard label

According to standard precautions, what is the procedure for shipping specimens to a reference laboratory in hot weather?

Place in a box with bubble wrap and a biohazard label

place in a box with cold packs and a biohazard label

placed in a padded envelope with cold packs and a biohazard label

Autologous donation

Whic of the following is the term for a donation of a patient's own blood for an upcoming surgery?

Autonomic donation

presurgical donation

autologous donation

homologous donation