Safety
What PPE is always required when performing venipuncture on a patient with HIV?
A. Gown
B. Gloves and gown
C. Gloves only
D. Face shield
C. Gloves are always required when performing venipuncture regardless of the diagnosis. HIV is transmitted through blood not causal contact or airborne droplets.
What is the correct order of draw for vacutainer tubes?
A. Red, light blue, green, lavender, grey
B. Light blue, red, green, lavender, grey
C. Light blue, red, lavender, green, grey
D. Red, green, light blue, grey, lavender
B. Light blue, red, green, lavender, grey
Which of the following is used to clean the site before drawing blood cultures?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Hydrogen peroxide
C. Chlorhexadine
D. Soap and water
C. Blood cultures require a more effective antiseptic like chlorhexadine
A patient has an IV infusion of heparin in the right arm. The patient has an AV fistula in the left arm-which means it can't be used for lab draws. You are asked to draw a PT and PTT. What is the best course of action?
A. Draw the sample above the heparin IV line
B. Draw the sample from the same arm but as far away from the IV site.
C.Draw the sample from the left arm.
D. Consult the nurse or provider before drawing the blood from the arm with the IV heparin.
D. Drawing from an arm with heparin can result in a falsely elevated coagulation test result.
What does the term postprandial mean?
A. After meals
B. Before meals
C. Before bedtime
D. After exercise
A. After meals.
What is the best angle for needle insertion during venipuncture?
A. 15-30 degrees
B. 5-10 degrees
C. 45-60 degrees
D. 60-90 degrees
A. 15-30 degrees
Why is it important to follow the correct oder of draw during venipuncture?
A. To speed up the process of collection
B. To ensure patient comfort
C. To use fewer supplies
D. To avoid cross contamination between different tube additives.
D. To avoid cross contamination between different tube additives.
A phlebotomist should remove the tourniquet:
A. Immediately after the needle insertion
B. As soon as blood flow begins
C. After two tubes are filled
D. After all tubes are collected
A new phlebotomist has attempted venipuncture twice on a patient but was unsuccessful both times. What could they have done differently to improve their chances of a successful draw?
A. Immediately try a third stick in the same location
B. Ask another phlebotomist for assistance or consider alternative sites.
C. Reapply the tourniquet more tightly to force the vein to rise.
D. Ask the patient to drink water immediately before another attempt
B. Most clinical procedures recommend that after two unsuccessful attempts, the phlebotomist seek help from another professional. Warming the site or selecting another vein can increase success rates also.
A. TB
B. C. Difficile
C. Influenza
D. Chicken pox
Why are two sets of blood cultures collected from two different sites?
A. To reduce the cost of testing
B. To make the patient more comfortable
C. To ensure faster processing
D. To confirm infection and rule out contamination
D. Collecting two samples from different sites help confirm a true infection and rules out contamination from skin flora.
Which additive is found in the lavender top tube?
A. Sodium citrate
B. EDTA
C. Heparin
D. Fluoride
B. EDTA is an anticoagulant commonly found in lavender top tubes. It is useful in hematology testing such as Complete Blood Counts (CBCs).
What is the most common site for Venipuncture?
A. Radial vein
B. Brachial vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Femoral vein
C. Median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, closer to the skin and has fewer surrounding nerves.
What is the first thing a phlebotomist should do when approaching a patient?
A. Put on gloves
B. Wash hands
C. Identify the patient
D. Assemble supplies
C. Patient identification is the top priority.
What does the term anemia mean?
A. Excessive white blood cells
B. Low Hemoglobin
C. Low platelets
D. High cholesterol
B. Anemia is a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin that affects oxygen transport.
When collecting a capillary sample what is the preferred site for an adult?
A. Earlobe
B. Thumb
C. Index finger
D. Middle or ring finger
D. Middle or ring finger provides optimal blood flow and fewer nerves.
The purpose of inversion of tubes with additives is to:
A. Increase oxygen
B. Prevent clotting and mix properly
C. Reduce hemolysis
D. Decrease glucose levels
B. Inversion ensures the blood mixes with the additive
Which specimen should be kept cold during transport?
A. Bilirubin
B. Ammonia
C. Potassium
D. Hemoglobin A1C
B. Ammonia and lactic acid must be transported on ice to prevent changes in concentration.
A short draw in a light blue tube can result in:
A. Hemolysis
B. Elevated glucose
C. Clotted sample
D. Incorrect coagulation results
D. Alters the blood to additive ratio and affects test accuracy.
What the main purpose of using a centrifuge in a laboratory?
A. To sterilize blood samples
B. To measure blood pressure
C. To warm samples
D. To separate components of blood
D. A centrifuge is used to spin samples to separate heavier components of blood (red blood cells) and lighter components (serum or plasma). The separation is essential for many types of lab testing.
When performing a heel stick on an infant the site should be:
A. The center of the heel
B. The arch of the foot
C. The lateral or medial heel
D. The big toe
C. The outer heel reduces the risk of hitting bones or nerves.
What tube should be used first when using a butterfly and collecting a light blue tube?
A. Discard tube
B. Red
C. Lavender
D. Green
A. Used to remove air in the tubing and ensure the light blue tube hast he correct blood to additive ratio.
Which test requires protection from light?
A. CBC
B. Glucose
C. PT/INR
D. Bilirubin
D. Bilirubin breaks down when it is exposed to light and should be wrapped in foil.
After completing the venipuncture, what should the phlebotomist do with the used needle?
A. Recap the needle and place it into the sharps container
B. Place the needle directly in the sharps container without capping
C. Leave the needle in the tray for biohazard pick up
D. Dispose of it in the regular trash if no blood is visible.
B. Place in sharps without recapping.
Which blood component in responsible for clotting?
A. Plasma
B. Platelets
C. Red blood cells
D. White blood cells.
B. Platelets (thrombocytes) are essential for blood clotting.