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Phlebotomy Procedures Flashcards

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

Read the first 6 Phlebotomy Procedures flashcards as text

  1. Which of the following is considered a 'critical value' in laboratory testing?

    Answer: A potassium level of 2.1 mEq/L

    A potassium of 2.1 mEq/L is critically low (severe hypokalemia) and requires immediate physician notification as it can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

  2. When collecting a throat culture specimen, the swab should be plated onto which agar if testing for Group A Streptococcus?

    Answer: Blood agar

    Group A Streptococcus (S. pyogenes) is cultured on blood agar (sheep blood agar), where it produces beta-hemolysis (clear zones of lysis around colonies).

  3. What does a positive test result for occult blood in a stool specimen indicate?

    Answer: The presence of blood that is not visible to the naked eye

    Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) detects trace amounts of blood in the stool that are not visible — hence 'occult' (hidden).

  4. A urine dipstick test is positive for nitrites and leukocyte esterase. What does this suggest?

    Answer: Possible urinary tract infection (UTI)

    Nitrites (from bacterial reduction of urinary nitrates) combined with leukocyte esterase (from white blood cells) strongly suggest a urinary tract infection.

  5. When performing a capillary puncture (fingerstick) on an adult, the best site is the:

    Answer: Middle or ring finger on the lateral aspect of the fingertip

    The lateral (side) aspect of the middle or ring finger is the preferred site for capillary puncture, avoiding the fingertip center and thumb/index/small fingers.

  6. What does the abbreviation OSHA stand for, and what is its primary role in phlebotomy?

    Answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; sets standards to protect healthcare workers from workplace hazards including bloodborne pathogens

    OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is the federal agency that sets and enforces workplace safety standards, including the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard that protects phlebotomists.