Practice Test Geeks(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test
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Patient Preparation Flashcards

7 cards from real ASPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Patient Preparation flashcards as text

  1. A patient reports they have been fasting for 14 hours before a fasting glucose draw. What should the phlebotomist do?

    Answer: Notify the ordering physician before proceeding

    An unusually prolonged fast (>12 hours) may affect some test results, so the physician should be notified before proceeding.

  2. Which instruction should be given to a patient preparing for a blood alcohol (BAC) test?

    Answer: No special preparation is needed before venipuncture for BAC

    Venipuncture for BAC requires no special patient preparation; the blood sample directly reflects current blood alcohol concentration.

  3. Before performing a venipuncture, the phlebotomist should verify patient identity using at least:

    Answer: Two unique identifiers such as full name and date of birth

    CLSI and The Joint Commission require two unique patient identifiers (e.g., full name and DOB) to be confirmed before specimen collection.

  4. A patient scheduled for a lipid panel asks if drinking black coffee (no cream or sugar) will affect the test results. The correct response is:

    Answer: Black coffee contains compounds that can alter triglyceride levels

    Black coffee can stimulate lipid metabolism and may elevate triglyceride levels, compromising the integrity of a fasting lipid panel.

  5. When collecting a 24-hour urine specimen, the patient should be instructed to:

    Answer: Discard the first morning void and begin timing from that point

    The 24-hour urine collection begins after discarding the first morning void, with all subsequent urine collected for exactly 24 hours.

  6. Which of the following exercises performed the morning of blood collection can most significantly impact test results?

    Answer: Strenuous jogging or aerobic exercise

    Strenuous exercise can transiently elevate CK, LDH, potassium, and lactate levels, interfering with multiple analyte results.

  7. A patient taking warfarin asks how to prepare for a PT/INR blood draw. The phlebotomist should advise:

    Answer: Take warfarin at the usual scheduled time and come in as directed

    Patients on warfarin should continue their prescribed dose on schedule; the PT/INR is used to monitor therapeutic levels and should reflect current dosing.