Practice Test Geeks(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test
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Specimen Handling and Processing 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 Specimen Handling and Processing flashcards as text

  1. When processing a specimen for plasma, what step differentiates it from serum preparation?

    Answer: Plasma can be centrifuged immediately without waiting for clot formation

    Plasma is obtained from anticoagulated blood that can be centrifuged immediately, whereas serum requires a 30-minute clotting period before centrifugation.

  2. Which of the following is a pre-analytical error that can affect specimen quality?

    Answer: Prolonged tourniquet application during collection

    Prolonged tourniquet application (>1 minute) causes hemoconcentration and hemolysis, which are pre-analytical errors that occur before specimen analysis.

  3. What type of specimen is required for a prothrombin time (PT) test?

    Answer: Plasma from a sodium citrate tube

    PT/INR testing requires plasma anticoagulated with sodium citrate (light blue top) because citrate preserves clotting factors needed for coagulation testing.

  4. A specimen arrives at the lab with visible lipemia. Which test result is most likely to be affected?

    Answer: Triglycerides

    Lipemia indicates elevated triglycerides in the blood, which is directly reflected in triglyceride test results and can interfere with other optical-based assays.

  5. What is the recommended angle for inserting the needle during venipuncture to minimize patient discomfort?

    Answer: 15–30 degrees

    A 15–30 degree angle is recommended for venipuncture as it allows proper needle entry into the vein while minimizing tissue trauma.

  6. Which specimen type is required for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) testing?

    Answer: EDTA whole blood

    ESR testing requires EDTA whole blood because the test measures how fast red blood cells settle, requiring intact cells in an anticoagulated state.

  7. What action should be taken if a blood culture bottle shows a positive flag before expected?

    Answer: Notify the lab immediately for Gram stain and subculture

    A positive blood culture flag indicates bacterial growth and requires immediate Gram staining and subculturing to identify the organism for urgent patient treatment.