Basic Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Basic flashcards as text
Which gauge needle is most commonly used for routine venipuncture in adults?
Answer: 21 gauge
A 21-gauge needle is the standard choice for routine adult venipuncture, balancing flow rate and patient comfort.
What does the term 'hemoconcentration' refer to in phlebotomy?
Answer: Increased concentration of blood cells due to prolonged tourniquet use
Hemoconcentration occurs when a tourniquet is left on too long, causing fluid to shift out of capillaries and artificially elevating cell and analyte concentrations.
Which tube additive is found in a red-top (no additive) tube?
Answer: None — it contains no additive
A plain red-top tube contains no additive; blood clots naturally and serum is obtained after centrifugation.
A patient's arm shows petechiae after tourniquet application. What does this finding suggest?
Answer: Possible platelet or coagulation disorder
Petechiae (small pinpoint hemorrhages) under a tourniquet may indicate a platelet disorder or capillary fragility and should be reported.
What is the correct action if a phlebotomist accidentally needlesticks themselves during a draw?
Answer: Immediately wash the site, report to supervisor, and follow exposure protocol
Immediate washing, reporting, and following the facility's exposure control plan are required by OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards.
Which anticoagulant is present in a light-blue top tube and what test is it primarily used for?
Answer: Sodium citrate — coagulation studies
Light-blue top tubes contain sodium citrate (3.2%) which chelates calcium to prevent clotting, making them ideal for PT, aPTT, and other coagulation tests.
When performing a capillary puncture on an infant's heel, which area should be avoided?
Answer: The medial and posterior curvature of the heel
The posterior curvature of the infant heel is avoided because the calcaneus (heel bone) is very close to the surface there, risking bone puncture and osteomyelitis.