ASCP ASCP Venipuncture Complications and Special Procedures 2

Question 1

For a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test (GTT), specimens are collected:

Accepted Answer

At fasting baseline and at timed intervals after glucose ingestion

Answer

A GTT requires a fasting baseline specimen followed by timed collections (typically at 1 and 2 hours) after the patient drinks the glucose solution.

Question 2

Which specimen collection method is used for newborn screening (e.g., PKU testing)?

Accepted Answer

Heel stick capillary collection onto filter paper

Answer

Heel stick capillary collection onto filter paper cards is used for newborn screening because neonatal veins are too small for safe venipuncture.

Question 3

A therapeutic drug monitoring specimen should be collected:

Accepted Answer

At the peak or trough level as specified by the physician's order

Answer

Drug monitoring requires collection at the prescribed time (peak or trough) because reference ranges are time-dependent.

Question 4

The recommended minimum number of blood culture sets collected from separate venipuncture sites is:

Accepted Answer

Two sets from two separate venipuncture sites

Answer

Collecting two sets from two different sites reduces false positives from skin contamination and increases pathogen detection sensitivity.

Question 5

When collecting a urine specimen for culture from a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter, the specimen should be obtained by:

Accepted Answer

Aspirating directly from the catheter sampling port using a sterile syringe

Answer

Catheter port aspiration with a sterile syringe provides an uncontaminated specimen, while drainage bags harbor bacterial overgrowth over time.

ASCP Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test