Trivia 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 Trivia flashcards as text
What is the purpose of inverting a blood collection tube after draw?
Answer: To mix the blood with the additive
Inverting the tube mixes the blood with the additive (anticoagulant or clot activator) to ensure proper specimen integrity.
Which artery is most commonly used for arterial blood gas (ABG) collection?
Answer: Radial artery
The radial artery at the wrist is preferred for ABG collection because it is accessible, has good collateral circulation, and is easy to compress after the draw.
What does a positive Allen test result indicate before radial artery puncture?
Answer: Adequate collateral circulation exists from the ulnar artery
A positive Allen test confirms adequate ulnar artery collateral flow, meaning the hand will remain perfused even if the radial artery is damaged.
Which tube is used to collect a specimen for a fasting blood glucose test?
Answer: Gray top (sodium fluoride)
The gray top tube contains sodium fluoride, a glycolytic inhibitor that prevents red blood cells from consuming glucose and preserves the sample accurately.
What is the recommended angle of needle insertion for a routine venipuncture?
Answer: 15–30 degrees
A 15–30 degree angle optimizes vein entry while minimizing the risk of passing through the vein or causing excessive trauma.
Which of the following is a contraindication for drawing blood from a specific arm site?
Answer: The site has an AV fistula for dialysis
Drawing from an arm with an AV fistula risks damaging the fistula, introducing infection, and producing inaccurate results due to altered hemodynamics.
What is 'reflux' in phlebotomy and why is it dangerous?
Answer: Blood flowing backward into the patient's vein from a tube additive
Reflux occurs when additive-contaminated blood flows back from the tube into the patient's vein, which can cause adverse reactions including cardiac events from potassium additives.