ASPT Specimen Handling and Processing 5

Question 1

What is the correct order of draw when collecting multiple tubes during a single venipuncture using evacuated tubes?

Accepted Answer

Citrate, serum/SST, heparin, EDTA

Answer

The CLSI-recommended order is: blood cultures, citrate (blue), serum/SST (gold/red), heparin (green), EDTA (lavender), then other tubes.

Question 2

A 24-hour urine collection requires hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a preservative. What safety precaution must be followed?

Accepted Answer

Instruct the patient that acid is pre-added to the container

Answer

Acid preservatives are added to the container before the patient begins collection, and patients must be warned about the hazard of the chemical in their collection container.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes 'hemolysis' in a blood specimen?

Accepted Answer

Rupture of red blood cells releasing intracellular contents into plasma

Answer

Hemolysis occurs when red blood cell membranes rupture, releasing intracellular contents like potassium and hemoglobin into the surrounding plasma.

Question 4

What is the minimum volume of blood typically required to fill a blood culture bottle adequately?

Accepted Answer

8–10 mL

Answer

Standard blood culture bottles require 8–10 mL of blood per bottle to achieve the blood-to-broth ratio necessary for optimal organism recovery.

Question 5

When aliquoting a specimen, what is the most critical step to prevent specimen mix-up?

Accepted Answer

Label all aliquot tubes before transferring specimen

Answer

All aliquot tubes must be labeled with patient information before any specimen is transferred to prevent misidentification errors.

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

(ASPT) American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians Practice Test

ASPT Specimen Handling and Processing 5