AMCA Phlebotomy and Blood Collection 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which action should a phlebotomist take first when a patient complains of feeling faint during venipuncture?
- Complete the draw as quickly as possible
- Remove the needle immediately and have the patient lower their head (Correct answer)
- Apply pressure to the site and call for help
- Administer smelling salts
Correct answer: Remove the needle immediately and have the patient lower their head
Removing the needle immediately and lowering the patient's head increases cerebral blood flow and prevents injury from fainting.
Question 2: A test requiring plasma is ordered STAT. Which tube should be selected?
- Red/gold SST
- Lavender EDTA
- Light blue citrate
- Green lithium heparin (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Green lithium heparin
Green lithium heparin tubes contain plasma and do not require clotting time, making them ideal for STAT plasma testing.
Question 3: Which vein is considered the first choice for routine adult venipuncture?
- Basilic vein
- Cephalic vein
- Median cubital vein (Correct answer)
- Dorsal hand vein
Correct answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the preferred first-choice site because it is large, well-anchored, and poses less risk of arterial puncture.
Question 4: Which situation requires the phlebotomist to recollect a specimen rather than proceed with analysis?
- The tube is properly labeled and transported on ice
- The specimen is grossly hemolyzed and the test ordered is potassium (Correct answer)
- The specimen was collected 30 minutes ago for a CBC
- The SST tube is filled to the correct volume
Correct answer: The specimen is grossly hemolyzed and the test ordered is potassium
Gross hemolysis falsely elevates potassium results, making the specimen unsuitable for that analyte and requiring recollection.
Question 5: When collecting blood cultures, the venipuncture site must be cleaned with:
- 70% isopropyl alcohol only
- Iodine tincture or chlorhexidine gluconate following an alcohol scrub (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide followed by alcohol
- Soap and water only
Correct answer: Iodine tincture or chlorhexidine gluconate following an alcohol scrub
Blood culture sites require a two-step antiseptic preparation using alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine to reduce contamination risk.
Question 6: Which statement about needle disposal is correct according to OSHA standards?
- Needles should be recapped before disposal
- Needles must be placed in a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use (Correct answer)
- Needles can be placed in regular trash if the tip is bent
- Needles should be removed from the holder before disposal
Correct answer: Needles must be placed in a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after use
OSHA requires that used needles be immediately discarded into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container without recapping.
Question 7: A 2:1 ratio of blood to additive is critical for which type of specimen tube?
- EDTA tube for CBC
- Sodium fluoride tube for glucose
- Sodium citrate tube for coagulation testing (Correct answer)
- SST tube for chemistry panel
Correct answer: Sodium citrate tube for coagulation testing
Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the correct volume to maintain a 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio, ensuring accurate coagulation results.
AMCA Phlebotomy and Blood Collection 5
Which action should a phlebotomist take first when a patient complains of feeling faint during venipuncture?