CCMA Phlebotomy Procedures 5

Question 1

A patient's veins are difficult to locate. Which technique can help make veins more visible before venipuncture?

Accepted Answer

Warming the site with a warm compress

Answer

Applying a warm compress promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and makes veins easier to palpate and visualize.

Question 2

In the order of draw using evacuated tubes, which tube is collected THIRD?

Accepted Answer

Gold/SST (clot activator)

Answer

After blood culture and light blue tubes, the gold/SST tube is collected third in the standard order of draw.

Question 3

Which of the following is a sign of arterial rather than venous puncture during a blood draw?

Accepted Answer

Pulsating blood flow

Answer

Arterial blood is under higher pressure and will pulsate into the tube, unlike venous blood which flows steadily.

Question 4

What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain applied before venipuncture to avoid hemoconcentration?

Accepted Answer

1 minute

Answer

A tourniquet should not remain in place for more than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration and falsely elevated analyte results.

Question 5

A specimen is hemolyzed upon inspection. Which analyte result is MOST likely to be falsely elevated?

Accepted Answer

Potassium

Answer

Potassium is highly concentrated inside red blood cells, so hemolysis releases intracellular potassium and falsely elevates serum potassium levels.

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