ASCP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASCP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which specimen handling error would falsely elevate serum potassium results? → Hemolysis of the specimen
2. What is the primary purpose of a tourniquet during venipuncture? → To enlarge veins by restricting venous blood flow
3. What does the delta check in laboratory testing evaluate? → The comparison of a patient's current result with their previous result
4. Which culture media are commonly used to cultivate different species of Mycobacterium? → Lowenstein-Jensen and Middlebrook agar
5. What type of specimen container is required for collecting a 24-hour urine specimen? → Large opaque or amber collection jug
6. Which antibiotic, by binding to D-alanyl D-alanine, inhibits the formation of peptidoglycans and hence inhibits the growth of bacteria? → Vancomycin
7. Which of the following best describes a mutation involving base substitution? AGTCGA is the initial DNA sequence. → AGTAGA
8. Which hospital department offers mobility therapy to patients? → physical therapy
9. What specimen type is required for a lipid panel, and what patient preparation is recommended? → Serum in a red or gold tube after 9-12 hours fasting
10. Which analyte is MOST significantly affected by hemolysis, producing a falsely elevated result? → Potassium
11. If a phlebotomist needs to draw both a light blue tube and a lavender tube, how many inversions should each tube receive after collection? → Light blue: 3-4 inversions; Lavender: 8-10 inversions
12. What is the zone of inhibition in a Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test? → The clear area around an antibiotic disk where bacterial growth is inhibited
13. A patient requires a blood alcohol level for legal purposes. What antiseptic must NOT be used to clean the venipuncture site? → Isopropyl alcohol
14. What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain on a patient's arm during venipuncture? → 1 minute
15. Small pinpoint hemorrhages (petechiae) appearing on the forearm after tourniquet application may indicate: → A coagulation or platelet disorder
16. Which ethical principle requires a phlebotomist to obtain a patient's agreement before performing a blood draw? → Informed consent
17. Which ASCP certification exam covers all areas of the clinical laboratory at the technician level? → MLT(ASCP)
18. What does MRSA stand for, and why is it clinically significant? → Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics
19. In capillary blood collection, which specimen is collected FIRST when multiple collection devices are used? → EDTA (lavender) tubes
20. Why is potassium oxalate paired with sodium fluoride in gray-topped tubes? → Sodium fluoride preserves glucose while potassium oxalate prevents clotting
21. What is the significance of 'arterialized' capillary blood obtained after warming the puncture site? → It has a higher pO2 and more closely resembles arterial blood
22. Which of the following specimens must be transported on ice? → Ammonia level
23. Which of the following is broken down into amino acids by hydrochloric acid and pepsin? → Proteins
24. When collecting a timed specimen such as a cortisol level, what is the most critical factor? → Drawing the specimen at the exact specified time
25. A chemistry analyzer reports a critically low glucose of 30 mg/dL. What is the laboratory technician's immediate responsibility? → Report the result and immediately notify the ordering physician
26. What kind of anticoagulant is contained in a tube with a light-blue stopper? → sodium citrate
27. What federal agency oversees the accreditation of phlebotomists? → None of the above.
28. Which patient would most likely require capillary puncture instead of venipuncture? → A premature neonate requiring blood glucose monitoring
29. When collecting from an inpatient, the phlebotomist should compare the requisition with: → The patient's armband
30. What is FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) used for? → Detecting specific DNA/RNA sequences in cells using fluorescent-labeled probes