National Phlebotomy Technician Study Guide - CDC Precautions, Anatomy, Draws, and Professionalism

This set covers CDC precautions, PPE, exposure controls, site preparation for venipuncture, order of draw, risk management, patient rights and HIPAA, capillary collection, and essential phlebotomy terminology to support exam preparation.

What are the five minimum CDC infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care?

Hand hygiene; use of personal protective equipment (PPE); safe injection practices; safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces; respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

What does PPE stand for and what is its purpose?

Personal Protective Equipment; it protects healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials.

List at least four items that are typically included as PPE in phlebotomy.

Gloves, gowns or lab coats, masks or face shields, eye protection; plus mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, and pocket masks or other ventilation devices.

What is an Exposure Control Plan in the workplace?

A written plan designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens and hazardous materials; includes implementation schedule, vaccination and post-exposure evaluation, hazard communication, recordkeeping, and annual review.

What is Exposure Determination?

A document listing job classifications with occupational exposure, the classifications where some employees have exposure, and specific tasks/procedures with exposure potential.

Define Universal Precautions.

A practice to prevent contact with blood or potentially infectious materials by treating all body fluids as infectious and using engineering/work practice controls and PPE.

Differentiate engineering controls from PPE.

Engineering controls aim to eliminate or minimize exposure (e.g., sharps containers, safer devices); PPE provides protection when exposure cannot be fully eliminated.

What are Sharps containers and how should they be labeled?

Puncture-resistant and leak-proof on sides and bottom; labeled or color-coded red; used for disposal of needles and other contaminated sharps.

When should PPE be removed?

Prior to leaving the work area; then placed in an appropriately designated area for storage, washing, decontamination, or disposal.

What is Capillary blood collection and when is it used?

Blood collection from a finger stick (or heel stick in infants); commonly used for glucose monitoring and small-volume tests; puncture devices are retractable and disposed in a Sharps container.

Which vein is typically best for venipuncture?

The median cubital vein is usually the first choice; if not suitable, the basilic or cephalic veins may be used.

List the basic steps for preparing the venipuncture site.

Locate the vein; clean the area with alcohol; wear gloves; apply tourniquet 6 inches above the site; inspect the needle; anchor the skin; insert the needle bevel up; collect tubes; place gauze over the site; withdraw the needle; apply gauze and bandage.

What is the CLSI order of draw and why is it important?

A specific sequence to fill tubes to prevent cross-contamination of additives; commonly listed as light blue (sodium citrate), red/black gel serum, red (no gel), green/tan (heparin), lavender/tan (EDTA), royal blue (EDTA), grey (glucose); last tube may be ACD/yellow depending on protocol.

What is a hematoma in phlebotomy terms?

A localized collection of blood outside a vessel under the skin at the puncture site.

What does hemostasis mean?

The cessation of bleeding, achieved by vasoconstriction and coagulation or by medical intervention.

What is the function of red blood cells and hemoglobin?

RBCs transport oxygen and carbon dioxide; hemoglobin binds and carries oxygen in the lungs and releases it to tissues.

What is the antecubital fossa?

The inner area of the elbow where many veins used for venipuncture are located.

What is ACD and what is it used for?

Acid-Citrate-Dextrose; an anticoagulant used for certain blood collection procedures, including platelet preservation/pheresis.

Name two bloodborne pathogens mentioned in phlebotomy notes.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What is the purpose of a Sharps container beyond needles?

To safely dispose of any contaminated sharps or materials that have come into contact with blood.

What does the term Nosocomial infection mean?

An infection acquired in a hospital or another healthcare setting.

Explain PHI and how HIPAA protects it.

Protected Health Information; any health information that can identify a patient. HIPAA requires safeguards and limits on disclosures of PHI and gives patients rights over their records.

What is HIPAA and what does it regulate in healthcare?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; regulates privacy and security of patient health information and requires safeguards, access controls, and confidentiality.

What is informed consent in medical procedures?

The process by which a patient is informed about a procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and consents to the treatment; liability if not properly obtained.

Define aseptic technique.

A practice that reduces or eliminates contamination by microorganisms to keep cultures, instruments, and environments sterile.

What is the function of an anticoagulant in phlebotomy?

To prevent blood from clotting during collection and processing.

What does CAPILLARY blood collection best practice say about infant sites?

Infants under 12 months should be punctured on the inner/outer aspects of the heel; finger sticks are for ages 1 and older.

What is the typical site for the capillary puncture in adults?

The fingertip, usually the third or fourth finger pad.

What is the standard precaution for dealing with patient samples when the type of body fluid is uncertain?

Treat all body fluids as potentially infectious and use appropriate PPE and engineering controls.

What is the purpose of a multi-sample adapter in venipuncture?

A device used with a butterfly needle and vacutainer holder to allow withdrawal of multiple tubes from a single venipuncture.

Define QNS in phlebotomy terminology.

Quantity Not Sufficient; the collected specimen amount was not enough for testing.

What is a vacutainer system?

A system consisting of a vacutainer holder, a needle, and a collection tube that enables multiple tubes to be drawn with one venipuncture.

What is the significance of the patient’s privacy during phlebotomy?

Confidential handling of patient information; information should be shared only with appropriate care team members and in accordance with HIPAA.