Phlebotomy National Exam Practice Test

What is the best indication that a patient might be at risk of syncope?

Paleness and sweating

Why is it important for a phlebotomist to invert anticoagulant tubes?

To ensure proper mixing of blood and additive, preventing clot formation.

What protects patient information?

HIPAA

Which of the following needle sizes is NOT used for lab assays but for collection of donor units of blood?

18 gaugeneedles are commonly used for blood donation.

How many minutes within a collection of a urine sample should the phlebotomist take the temperature of the specimen?

Within 4 minutes

Quality control checklists ensure machines are inspected for compliance at time intervals specific to the equipment and the ___

clinical applicatiton

which of the following actions will most likely prevent a needle stick injury?

replacing sharps containers when they have reached their fill line

which of the following piece software information need to be on a lab requisition form before a phlebotomist should proceed with obtaining a blood specimen?

a specimen identification code

a patient is listening to a phlebotomist explain the venipuncture process before initiating the blood draw. The patient communicates their understanding but seems hesitant and confused. How should the phlebotomist handle the situation?

The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase the explanation and invite the patient to ask any clarifying questions

the additive in a Pink Top Tube used in blood banking is which?

Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)

if a patient verbally or physically refuses a venipuncture procedure, the phlebotomist should do which of the following

immediate report the refusal and actions taken to their supervisor

what is the recommended allowance for a total volume of blood drawn for a patient within a 24-hour period

1-5%

which of the following is the proper way a phlebotomist should dispose of a needle?

put it into a sharps container, safety capped, after withdrawing it from the patients arm

When drawing blood from a patient who has a contagious pathogen, like COVID, which PPE provides the best protection for a phlebotomist?

surgical mask

how should vitamin B6 be transported in order to protect its photosensitive nature?

amber or brown biohazard bag

before asking permission to obtain a specimen from a patient, a phlebotomist should:

introduce themselves to the patient and any healthcare team members in the room

what is an ICD-10 code?

classify diagnoses and diseases

if a patient expresses that they often faint when getting their blood drawn, a phlebotomist should:

perform the blood draw while the patient lies down

how many inversions of a lavender top tube should be done before placing it in the specimen collection tray?

8 to 10 times

which step of the blood draw should be done right before removing the needle from the patient’s arm?

getting a bandage ready for the patient

a phlebotomist witnesses a nurse receive a major electric shock from an instrument and immediately calls 911. what action should the phlebotomist have taken before calling 911?

first shut off the instrument to cut off the source of shock

the type of microorganism that causes disease is which of the following

pathogenic

which interfacility conditions would require a phlebotomist to transport specimens in a closed container with ice packs?

If it is hot weather

which color signifies “instability in the National Fire Protection Association marking system?

Yellow

if a patient decided to go on a morning jog on their way to the facility, which precautions should a phlebotomist take before proceeding with the venipuncture?

reschedule the appt for another day

What is the vein that is usually most accessible for obese people?

Cephalic vein

which of the following steps should a phlebotomist take if blood was drawn from the wrong patient?

immediately report the incident to a supervisor for corrective action

which of the following is the additive in the Red-Gray Speckled Top Tube, aka Gold Top or SST

thixotropic gel for serum separation

where is the best draw site for a 9mo infant?

either heel

when removing gloves after procedure, which action best prevents contact with blood?

remove first glove so that it turns inside out

serum is the liquid portion of ____ blood

coagulated

which of the following is true about OSHA standards and the HepB vaccine?

employers must provide the hep B vaccine to phlebotomists at no cost

when teaching a patient to collect a sputum sample at home, the most important direction to include would be which of the following?

spit into the container after taking a deep breath and coughing

which of the following examples of questions is most appropriate to use when IDing a patient

state and spell full name and provide DOB

why should a phlebotomist use an amber colored micro container when obtaining a bilirubin level from a newborn

bilirubin is photosensitive and this tube protects against light exposure

Hemolyzation occurs when a phlebotomist

uses an incorrect needle gauge

how many minutes should a phlebotomist rinse with water after chemical spill to exposed skin?

15 min

when the tourniquet is too tight, the capillaries in the area may rupture causing which of the following

petechiae

when explaining an at-home collection of a semen specimen to a patient, the phlebotomist should tel the patient to return within ____ to deliver the specimen to the lab

1 hour

where should the phlebotomist send a patient’s lab results?

to the patient’s ordering provider

which of the following actions should a phlebotomist advise a blood donor patient to take to ensure a quality donation?

to open and close their hand gently throughout the collection

what is the liquid portion of anti coagulated blood

plasma

after setting up for a blood draw, a phlebotomist notices raised, red welts on a patient’s arm. which of the following describes these welts?

Urticaria

which three additives are all used to prevent coagulation

EDTA, sodium citrate, and heparin

when using and evac tube system to obtain a blood specimen, what step should the phlebotomist perform after tying the tourniquet and cleaning the site?

uncap needle and inspect it

what actions should a phlebotomist take if they have an allergy to latex

wear nitrile gloves

which of the following ensures that a phlebotomist is able to perform their job duties?

CLIA

a patient signed a general consensus form upon arriving at the clinic. the patient rolls up their sleeve and hold out their arm as the phlebotomist explains the procedure. what should the phleb assume from this action?

implied consent from the patient

who should a phlebotomist refer to when checking on medication peak levels for a patient to see when their last dose was taken, and to verify that the medication schedule is accurate before blood collection

attending nurse

blood is classified based on the presence or absence of antigens on the surface of what

erythrocytes

how much blood is found in the average adult body

5-7L

in what order should a phlebotomist take the below steps when they are accidentally stuck with a used needle

rinse the infused area with water first, then do the other steps in any order

when taking a blood sample to measure the trough level of a med, the phlebotomist should

take the sample about 15 min before the patient receives the next dose of meds.

when a phlebotomist centrifuges blood in a gray top tube containing an anticoagulant, which is the resulting fluid portion

plasma

to avoid damaging test results, a tourniquet should not be left on a patient’s arm longer than

60 seconds

according to OSHA requirements, a phlebotomist must replace a sharps container:

when it is two thirds filled

the needle should be inserted into the arm with the bevel facing in which direction

upwards

why should a phlebotomist not transfer a specimen to a diff labeled tube if they accidentally mislabeled the first collection tube

because the collection tube already has a specific measure of additive that could be altered if the specimen was transferred to a diff tube

which piece of information is critical for a phlebotomist to document when following a chain of custody guideline

identifying everyone who had possession of the specimen

what is the process by which blood vessels repair after injury

hemostasis

which of the following samples would be best for the determination of blood acidity and blood gases

arterial blood

the most frequently occurring nosocomial (clinical setting acquired) infection for lab employees is which of the following

Hep B virus

when drawing blood from a patient who has pneumonia, which PPE provides the best protection

mask

what term best describes a red blood cell that bursts because the plasma that attached to it was not a match

agglutination

when drawing blood from a patient who has active tuberculosis, which PPE provides the best protection

n95 respirator

which of the following is the total blood volume of an infant who weighs 3.3kg (7.3lb)

300-350mL

which of the following is the most critical mistake a phlebotomist can make

failing to properly ID patient

which additive is required in the tube when collecting specimen for a blood culture test

sodium polyanethol sulfonate

what order should remove PPE

glove goggle gown mask

if a patient has recently had a vasectomy on their right, draw blood from

left arm

if a patient were to complain of a sharp pain running up and down their arm during a draw, which is the best action to take

release tourniquet and remove needle

postprandial means

after a meal

when a phlebotomist is washing their hands, they should make sure to

use enough soap to form a lather

when blood is found in the urine of a patient, it is defined as which of the following

hematuria

a new phlebotomist is inserting a needle into a prints arm to draw a blood sample when the patient suddenly jerks. The needle pierces the phlebotomist’s index finger. Which is an appropriate reaction?

wash wound asap and report incident to supervisor

what is the additive in the light blue top

sodium citrate

most important means of preventing spread of infection

hand washing

what vein do you attempt to draw from first in a routine blood draw

median cubital

most important PPE for an outpatient setting

gloves

which is a right under patient’s bill of rights

decline med treatment

CDC is

centers for Disease Control and prevention

the vascular phase of hemostasis is characterized by which of the following reactions?

blood vessels constrict in response to injury

when blood cultures are ordered on an adult patient, which materials should the phlebotomist bring

aerobic and anaerobic bottle

a phlebotomist is asked to collect a specimen from a patient in the Oncology dept; the patient is likely being treated for what

cancer

if a patient was a syncopal episode during a blood draw, what should the phlebotomist do first

remove tourniquet, then needle

which is incorrect about the lavender top tube

used to collect specimens for coagulation studies

boundaries for performing heel punctures

medial line extending from the great toe and lateral line from the fourth and fifth digit

the joint commission created patient safety goals to direct healthcare workers and facilities in

ID patient safety risks

what do you do if you are with a patient and are notified that their labs are ready

send results to patients provider

blood cultures, aka culture and sensitivity, are taken to determine what

presence of microorganisms in the blood

how to react to noticing sharps container overflowing

report safety violation to supervisor

definition of informed consent

voluntary permission for a medical procedure after receiving adequate information

which test may be performed from capillary blood

CBC

who don’t we use earlobes for blood

patients may be nervous and move their head too much

within which time period should a phlebotomist collect a newborn PKU blood-spot test

72 hours

where is tourniquet generally tied on a patient

3-4 in above draw site

RBC aka

erythrocytes

what antiseptic to use when patient allergic to alcohol

chlorhexidine

function of thrombocytes

clotting or repairing of blood vessels

correct order of venipuncture steps

ID, tourniquet, palpate, cleanse, collect