Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic circulation? → Left ventricle
2. Which three arm veins are most frequently used in phlebotomy? → Cephalic, median cubital and basilic veins
3. The system that has cilia, which are hair-like structures that serve as microscopic filters and whose main purpose is air supply: → Respiratory system
4. What color tube top indicates a serum separator tube (SST) with a clot activator? → Gold or red-gray
5. What is the primary purpose of the evacuated tube system (ETS) in phlebotomy? → To create a vacuum that draws blood directly into the tube
6. Royal blue-top tubes are used for which specialized testing category? → Trace element and toxicology testing
7. It is known as _________ to utilize a chemical process to destroy all microbiological life, including extremely resistant bacterial endospores. → Sterilization
8. Which cardiac valves prevent backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria during ventricular contraction? → Atrioventricular (AV) valves
9. Being unfit, either physically or mentally, is _________. → Incompetence
10. What is the primary oxygen-carrying protein found within red blood cells? → Hemoglobin
11. What is the difference between fainting and hypovolemic shock? → Fainting may be caused by an emotional reaction or pain.
12. The human body is always covered in? → Bacteria
13. The foundation of _________ is treating every specimen as though it were dangerous and infected. → Universal precautions
14. What action should a phlebotomist take if a patient refuses to have blood drawn? → Respect the refusal, document it, and notify the nurse or physician
15. Principles of _________ are being employed in healthcare when all evaluated services and results compare within accepted criteria. → Quality assurance
16. What is the correct temperature range for storing most routine blood specimens awaiting transport? → Refrigerated at 2–8°C
17. What is the maximum number of venipuncture attempts recommended per phlebotomist per patient per CLSI guidelines? → 2 attempts
18. The largest filter in the human body is a component of the circulatory and digestive systems. → The liver
19. What happens to the pee that was taken at 7 a.m. on the final day of a 24-hour urine sample? → Saved
20. Which of the following is the best way for a phlebotomist to verify the identity of an outpatient who is conscious and alert? → Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth.
21. What is the correct order of blood vessel wall layers from outermost to innermost? → Tunica adventitia, tunica media, tunica intima
22. The pressure is highest when the heart is contracting. The term for this pressure is the ______. → Systolic pressure
23. You should _________ when you enter a room that has isolation signs. → Read isolation signs to determine what PPE is appropriate
24. What does the term 'hematocrit' refer to in a complete blood count? → The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells
25. What is the correct blood-to-additive ratio required for a sodium citrate (light blue) tube? → 9:1
26. People-to-person transmissible infections are referred to as ________. → Communicable
27. Which document must accompany a specimen when it is transported to a reference laboratory? → Chain of custody form or requisition with required identifiers
28. Which one would be a pre-analytical mistake? → Improper time of collection
29. Which of the following differs from the Patient's Bill of Rights three main objectives? → Ensures that the care you receive is affordable
30. Specimens may potentially be lipemic due to the health of the patient. A lipemic sample is defined as? → Hazy, opaque, or milky white