Phlebotomy Fundamentals 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 Phlebotomy Fundamentals flashcards as text
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is ALWAYS required during venipuncture?
Answer: Gloves as the minimum required PPE
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard mandates gloves as the minimum PPE whenever there is potential exposure to blood.
What is the correct response when a needle accidentally punctures the phlebotomist's skin?
Answer: Immediately wash the site, report to a supervisor, and follow exposure protocol
Needlestick protocol requires immediate washing, incident reporting, and follow-up per the facility's exposure control plan.
What does 'basal state' mean in the context of specimen collection timing?
Answer: The patient is in a resting metabolic state after 12 hours of fasting
Basal state is achieved after 12 hours of fasting and minimal physical activity, providing a reference baseline for lab values.
Which of the following BEST prevents pre-analytical errors related to specimen labeling?
Answer: Labeling tubes immediately after collection at the patient's bedside
Labeling at the bedside immediately after collection, while confirming patient identity, is the only way to ensure specimen-patient match.
A phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming during venipuncture. What is the correct action?
Answer: Remove the needle, apply firm pressure, and document the incident
A forming hematoma indicates blood is leaking into surrounding tissue; the needle must be removed and pressure applied to minimize injury.
What is the purpose of the clot activator found in gold or red SST tubes?
Answer: To accelerate clot formation for serum collection
Clot activators like silica particles trigger faster clot formation so serum can be obtained after centrifugation more efficiently.
Which technique is used to anchor a vein during venipuncture to prevent it from rolling?
Answer: Using the thumb of the non-dominant hand to apply downward traction below the site
Anchoring the vein by stretching the skin taut below the puncture site keeps the vein stable and reduces the chance of it rolling.