Phlebotomy Training Specialist: The Foundation of Modern Phlebotomy Test

A phlebotomist is drawing blood when the patient suddenly moves, causing the needle to come out of the arm. What should the phlebotomist do next?

D. Engage the safety cap, dispose of the needle, and redraw using a new

Which of the following is not one of OSHA's laboratory rules?

PPE should be removed after exiting the lab.

A phlebotomist is performing venipuncture on a patient's hand and neglects to pull the skin taut prior to inserting the needle. The patient winces in pain, and the vein is missed entirely. Why was the vein missed?

The phlebotomist did not stabilize the vein through anchoring.

How should a phlebotomist verify a patient's identity?

By asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth.

During the blood draw, the patient reports feeling light-headed and nauseous. The patient is likely experiencing the early signs of what condition?

Syncope

What is the most common type of inspection conducted by OSHA? An Imminent Danger Inspection.

A Complaint Inspection.

A phlebotomist finishes preparing specimens in the laboratory and needs to go to another room for their next patient. What should they do before leaving the lab?

Remove their gloves.

What is a nosocomial infection?

An infection acquired in a healthcare setting.

All healthcare workers are expected to receive a vaccine within 10 days of employment or sign a declination form for which virus?

Hepatitis B.

A phlebotomist has splashed a chemical cleaning product in their eyes. How long should they flush their eyes?

At least fifteen minutes.

What infection prevention strategy involves assuming everyone and everything is infectious or contagious?

Universal precautions.

A phlebotomist is asked to record the laboratory's refrigerator temperature every morning and evening. What protocol is this action part of?

A quality assurance program.

A patient has an order for a BMP and a CBC. While the SST tube is filling, the patient suddenly slumps forward in the chair and is unresponsive. How should the phlebotomist respond?

End the blood draw immediately by removing the needle from the arm.

A phlebotomist pulls the tip of her glove off her finger in order to easily palpate the patient's vein. This action is a violation of which of the following?

OSHA safety standards.

A patient is on Contact Precautions due to a diagnosis of C. diff. When performing a blood draw on this patient, what PPE should the phlebotomist wear?

A gown and gloves.

A supervisor notices a phlebotomist attempting to anchor a patient's vein by using the "C" method. Why is this not recommended?

Because it puts the phlebotomist at risk of an accidental needlestick.

What is an organism that causes disease called?

Pathogenic.

What is the term for failing to provide appropriate care to a patient?

Negligence

What global laboratory develops standard practices for quality patient care and safety?

CLSI

Where can information be found regarding the safe use, storage, and disposal of chemicals used in the clinical and laboratory environment?

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

What act aims to minimize occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens from accidental needlesticks and other percutaneous injuries?

The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.

What should a phlebotomist use to clean up a blood spill on the laboratory floor?

A bleach and water solution in a 1:10 ratio.

The phlebotomist is cleaning up contaminated broken glass on the laboratory floor that is too large for the sharps container. What should they use?

A broom and dustpan to collect the pieces, and a cardboard box to dispose of them.

What items should be disposed of in the sharps container?

Needles, lancets, and glass slides.

When doffing PPE, what is the first item to be removed?

Gloves

What is the correct way to dispose of a used needle?

Activate the safety cap, then place the needle in the sharps container.

As a part of CLSIs laboratory practice standards, how often should surfaces in an outpatient lab be decontaminated and wiped clean?

After each patient encounter or use.

In order to minimize the risk of exposure, the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act includes using which of the following?

Retractable needles and Needles with safety caps.

What is aseptic technique?

Practices that help maintain an environment free from pathogenic microorganisms.

Why should phlebotomists never dispose of needles in an overfilled sharps container?

Because it reduces the risk of needlestick injuries to healthcare workers.

A patient arrives at the lab for a venipuncture and identifies himself asK. Kelson. The phlebotomist verifies his ID from the LIS as Kam Kelson. The patient prefers to be addressed as K. How should the tubes be labeled?

Kam Kelson.

A phlebotomist notices that the lab's biohazard sharps container is overflowing and needles are poking out of the top. What action should the phlebotomist take?

Report the violation to the supervisor immediately.

A phlebotomist enters a patient's room wearing gloves and begins venipuncture. What protocol did they fail to follow?

They did not perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves in front of the patient.

What is a biohazard?

A harmful substance that poses a risk through exposure.

Which organization is responsible for ensuring safe workplace practices?

OSHA

After use, contaminated PPE should be discarded into which receptacle?

A biohazard bag

Which of the following statements is true regarding the hepatitis B vaccine?

It consists of a series of three injections.

What term describes touching the patient without their consent?

Battery

After drawing a patient's blood, the phlebotomist is accidentally poked with the contaminated needle. What action should they take?

Wash the area for fifteen minutes and then report it to the supervisor.

A phlebotomist leaves a computer screen open, displaying patient information in view of others. What law does this violate?

OSHA

After giving consent for a blood draw, the patient changes their mind and asks the phlebotomist to stop the procedure. What should the phlebotomist do?

Stop the draw immediately.

The patient states that they are allergic to alcohol. What should the phlebotomist use as an alternative cleanser?

Chlorhexidine.

A phlebotomist is preparing to draw from a patient who has limited English language skills. What steps should the phlebotomist take to ensure that the patient understands the process?

The phlebotomist should use a language interpreter.

A patient arrives at the lab with an order for a fasting lipid panel. What should the phlebotomist do before collecting the sample?

Ask the patient when they last had any food or beverages.

A patient informs the phlebotomist that they fainted after their previous blood draw. What should the phlebotomist do to prepare for the draw?

Have the patient lie down.

Which of the following would disqualify a patient from donating blood?

They do not meet the minimum weight requirement and Their hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are too low.

A patient seated in the draw chair reports feeling dizzy and nauseated before the blood draw. What should the phlebotomist do?

Leave the patient where they are.

What is the maximum amount of blood that can be drawn from an infant in 24-hour period?

1-5%

In order to locate a patient's veins, the phlebotomist should do which of the following?

Apply the tourniquet and ask the patient to make a fist.

What should the phlebotomist instruct the patient to do if collecting a sputum sample at home?

Cough deeply to bring up secretions from the lower respiratory tract.

A patient is scheduled for surgery and has an NPO 56. What information is included on a requisition? order. What does this mean for the patient?

No food or drink.

What type of gloves do phlebotomists use?

Latex

A patient arrives at the lab for an OGTT and undergoes their baseline blood collection. When should the phlebotomist set the timer for the next blood draw?

Five minutes after the patient finishes drinking the glucose solution.

The phlebotomist is preparing for a blood draw. What should they do to ensure an aseptic technique?

Cleanse the skin thoroughly with an up-and-down motion using 70% isopropyl alcohol.

A phlebotomist gathers an alcohol wipe, gauze, and a glucometer to collect a capillary sample. What necessary item are they missing?

A lancet

What information is included on a requisition?

Patient details, ordered tests, and any special instructions.

What is the maximum amount of time a tourniquet should be left on?

One minute.

While drawing blood from a patient, the phlebotomist notices a slight vibration in the needle. What is likely the cause?

The needle punctured a vein valve.

What is another name for a butterfly needle?

Winged infusion set.

A patient receiving anticoagulant therapy arrives at the lab for a PT/INR test. What should the phlebotomist keep in mind before performing the draw?

The patient may experience prolonged bleeding due to the effects of the anticoagulant.

The date of birth on the requisition does not match the information provided by the patient. What should the phlebotomist do?

Delay the draw and verify the patient's identity.

What type of consent is needed for a phlebotomy procedure?

Expressed or verbal.

A patient rolls up their sleeve for a blood draw. What type of consent does this action demonstrate?

Implied consent.

Professionalism includes which of the following attributes?

Empathy, compassion, honesty, and integrity.

In which scenario is a syringe the most appropriate choice for venipuncture?

When a specific volume of blood needs to be withdrawn.

A specimen for a PT/INR test was collected into a light blue-top tube using a butterfly needle. The sample was rejected by the laboratory due to insufficient volume. What is the most likely reason the tube did not fill completely?

A discard tube was not used.

A patient has an order for the following lab tests: ESR, liver function panel, glucose, and lipid panel. In what order should the tubes be collected?

Gold, gold, lavender, gray.

What are the tiny, non-raised red spots that can appear on the patient's skin after applying a tourniquet?

Petechiae

A patient becomes angry and combative after being told a redraw is necessary. How should the phlebotomist respond?

Request assistance from another team member.

Before beginning a blood collection, which of the following steps should the phlebotomist complete?

Introduce themselves and verify the patient's identity

ICD-10 codes are used for which of the following purposes?

To describe the diagnoses and conditions of the patient.

Which of the following tubes contains a preservative and is ideal for collecting blood glucose levels?

Gray

In what area of an infant's heel can capillary samples be collected?

The medial and lateral plantar surface

A patient arrives at the lab for a fasting lipid panel but is seen drinking a cup of coffee upon arrival. What should the phlebotomist do?

Explain the fasting requirements to the patient and reschedule the blood draw

To avoid losing track of the palpated vein after cleansing the site, what should the phlebotomist do?

Use the bottom corner of the alcohol wipe to point to the vein, or find a landmark, such as a freckle, mole, or hair.

After a patient reports unusual pain during needle insertion, the phlebotomist notices the needle has a blunted tip. How could this discomfort have been prevented?

By inspecting the needle for defects prior to insertion.

What condition is characterized by swelling in an area where lymph nodes have been removed?

Lymphedema.

What is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that may cause a patient to become unresponsive or have involuntary muscle movements?

A seizure

What is the most likely cause of a "hissing" sound during venipuncture?

The needle coming out of the skin.

What is the tip of a needle called?

Bevel

Upon entering an inpatient's room to collect a sample, the phlebotomist notices the patient's ID bracelet is missing. What should the phlebotomist do?

Inform the nurse that the bracelet is missing.

A patient has an order for the following lab tests: aPTT, CBC, HbAtc, and blood culture. In what order should the tubes be collected?

Blood culture, light blue, lavender, lavender.

Mild allergic reactions can result in which condition?

Hives

Which document accompanies laboratory specimens to the lab?

Requisition

What are two acceptable methods a phlebotomist can use to identify a patient in a hospital?

Scan the patient's ID bracelet and ask them to state their full name and date of birth.

PHI includes which of the following?

The patient's demographic information and the patient's name, DOB, and diagnosis.

Which of the following is the responsibility of the phlebotomist?

Verifying that the patient has followed any pre-test requirements.

What is the medical term for a deficiency of red blood cells?

Anemia

Which vein is generally considered the best choice for venipuncture?

The median cubital vein.

A sample collected for a lipid panel appears lipemic. What could have caused this?

The patient has elevated lipid levels and the patient did not fast before the test.

What is the protocol for labeling tubes?

Tubes should be labeled in the patient's presence.

What is the protoIt is never acceptable. The patient must be awake to provide proper ID and consent.col for drawing blood from an unconscious patient in an emergency situation?

It is acceptable as a form of implied consent.

What is the correct sequence of steps a phlebotomist should follow to end a blood draw?

Remove the tourniquet, remove the tube, remove the needle, engage the safety cap.

A patient has an order for the following lab tests: CBC, CMP, PTT, and CRP. In what order should the tubes be collected?

Light blue, gold, gold, lavender.

During a hand draw, the phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming. What should the phlebotomist do?

End the draw and apply an ice pack.

A patient has an order for the following lab tests: CMP, PT/INR, and Hemoglobin Alc. In what order should the tubes be collected?

Light blue, gold, lavender.

A phlebotomist has three patients already scheduled when another patient arrives with a STAT order. What should the phlebotomist do?

Complete the STAT patient's draw first.

Which of the following are common newborn screening tests?

Phenylketonuria (PKU) and bilirubin.

While performing a hand draw, the phlebotomist notices a slight bubble beginning to form beneath the needle. What is the likely cause?

Hematoma

What does the term "neonate" mean?

An infant who is 28 days old or younger.