Mixed Deck — All Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Topics Flashcards
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Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Topics flashcards as text
In the order of draw, which tube comes IMMEDIATELY after the blood culture bottles?
Answer: Sodium citrate (light blue top)
Sodium citrate tubes follow blood cultures in the order of draw to avoid carryover contamination affecting coagulation tests.
What color tube cap is used for a prothrombin time (PT/INR) test?
Answer: Light blue
The light blue (citrate) tube is used for coagulation studies including PT/INR because it preserves clotting factors.
What does a 'short draw' in a coagulation tube cause?
Answer: Falsely prolonged PT/aPTT due to excess anticoagulant relative to blood volume
Underfilling a citrate tube leaves excess anticoagulant relative to blood, falsely prolonging clotting times.
What federal agency oversees the accreditation of phlebotomists?
Answer: None of the above
There is no single federal agency that directly oversees the accreditation of phlebotomists. Instead, phlebotomy accreditation and certification are typically managed by various professional organizations and certifying bodies, such as the National Phlebotomy Association (NPA), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or National Healthcareer Association (NHA). These organizations establish standards and administer exams, rather than a federal government entity.
Which of the following is the best approach to take when evaluating a venipuncture site?
Answer: The use of sense of touch
While visual inspection is important to identify suitable veins and rule out contraindications, palpation (the use of touch) is the most critical step in evaluating a venipuncture site. Palpation allows the phlebotomist to assess the depth, direction, size, and resilience of the vein. This helps to distinguish it from arteries or tendons and ensures a successful and safe venipuncture.
Which condition requires a timed specimen collection and why?
Answer: Glucose tolerance test, because glucose levels change predictably after a challenge dose
The glucose tolerance test requires specimens at exact intervals (baseline, 1-hour, 2-hour) to track the body's glucose metabolism response.
What does the term 'hematocrit' refer to in a complete blood count?
Answer: The percentage of total blood volume occupied by red blood cells
Hematocrit is the percentage of whole blood volume that consists of packed red blood cells; normal adult values are approximately 38–48% for females and 42–52% for males.
Identify the smooth muscle-containing blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the body's tissues.
Answer: Arterial blood vessels
Arterial blood vessels, or arteries, are muscular tubes that carry oxygenated blood and nutrients away from the heart to the rest of the body. Their thick, muscular walls allow them to withstand the high pressure of blood pumped by the heart and regulate blood flow to various organs and tissues.
Which of the following is a pre-analytical error that can affect laboratory results?
Answer: Incorrect patient identification before the draw
Pre-analytical errors occur before the specimen reaches the analyzer and include patient ID mistakes, improper collection, and mislabeling.
A gray-top tube contains sodium fluoride. What test is it primarily used for?
Answer: Glucose and lactate testing
Sodium fluoride inhibits glycolysis, preserving glucose levels in the specimen for accurate glucose and lactate testing.
Specimens for cold agglutinin testing must be transported at which temperature?
Answer: Body temperature at 37°C
Cold agglutinin specimens must be kept at 37°C during transport because cold temperatures cause the antibodies to agglutinate RBCs in the tube, giving false results.
A patient refuses to state their name for identification. What is the BEST next step?
Answer: Check the patient's wristband and ask them to confirm their date of birth
The phlebotomist should use the ID wristband and ask the patient to confirm their date of birth as a second identifier.
In the order of draw, why are coagulation tubes (light-blue) drawn before other additive tubes?
Answer: To avoid tissue thromboplastin from altering coagulation results
Tissue thromboplastin released during skin puncture can activate coagulation; drawing the coagulation tube early (after a discard tube when using a butterfly) minimizes this contamination.
Which body position is preferred for most outpatient venipuncture procedures?
Answer: Seated in a phlebotomy chair with arm supported
A seated position with the arm supported reduces the risk of fainting injury and keeps the arm stable for the procedure.
What term describes being free from pollution or germs?
Answer: Asepsis
Asepsis refers to the state of being free from disease-causing microorganisms (pathogens). In healthcare, aseptic technique involves practices and procedures that prevent contamination from microbes, thereby minimizing the risk of infection. This is distinct from simply being 'clean,' which implies a reduction but not necessarily elimination of all pathogens.
Which of the following is an example of a pre-analytical error in phlebotomy?
Answer: Mislabeling a specimen tube at the bedside
Mislabeling a specimen is a pre-analytical error occurring before the sample reaches the laboratory, and it is one of the most common and dangerous errors.
A patient states they are allergic to latex. Which action is most appropriate?
Answer: Use latex-free gloves and latex-free tourniquet for the procedure
Latex-free gloves and tourniquets must be substituted to prevent an allergic reaction in latex-sensitive patients.
Which specimen type requires the patient to fast for 8–12 hours before collection?
Answer: Fasting blood glucose
Fasting blood glucose requires 8–12 hours of fasting to ensure accurate baseline glucose measurement.
Which additive in a lavender (EDTA) tube preserves blood cells for a CBC?
Answer: EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
EDTA chelates calcium to prevent clotting and preserves cellular morphology for complete blood count testing.
What is the PRIMARY reason phlebotomists verify dietary restrictions before collection?
Answer: To prevent pre-analytical errors that alter test results
Pre-analytical variables like fasting status directly impact the accuracy of many analyte measurements.