Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A blood culture collection requires which of the following skin antiseptic protocols?
- 70% isopropyl alcohol only
- Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate after alcohol (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide followed by alcohol
- Soap and water only
Correct answer: Povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate after alcohol
Blood cultures require a two-step disinfection: 70% isopropyl alcohol followed by either povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine gluconate to reduce the risk of contamination.
Question 2: Which tube color is used to collect specimens for lead testing?
- Royal blue (EDTA) (Correct answer)
- Green (lithium heparin)
- Yellow (ACD)
- Red (no additive)
Correct answer: Royal blue (EDTA)
Royal blue-top tubes with EDTA are used for trace element and heavy metal testing, including lead, because they are manufactured to minimize metal contamination.
Question 3: A phlebotomist notices petechiae on a patient's arm after tourniquet application. This finding may indicate:
- A latex allergy
- A platelet or capillary disorder (Correct answer)
- An infection at the venipuncture site
- Normal vascular response to pressure
Correct answer: A platelet or capillary disorder
Petechiae (small red spots) appearing after tourniquet use suggest a possible platelet deficiency or capillary fragility disorder and should be reported to the clinician.
Question 4: What is the maximum recommended time a tourniquet should remain applied before venipuncture?
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 2 minutes
- 5 minutes
Correct answer: 1 minute
A tourniquet should not remain in place for more than 1 minute, as prolonged application causes hemoconcentration and can alter test results.
Question 5: When collecting a specimen for ammonia testing, which special handling step is required?
- Warm the specimen to 37°C immediately
- Place specimen on ice and transport immediately (Correct answer)
- Expose specimen to light to prevent degradation
- Centrifuge at room temperature before transport
Correct answer: Place specimen on ice and transport immediately
Ammonia specimens must be placed on ice immediately after collection and transported quickly because ammonia levels rise rapidly at room temperature.
Question 6: Which of the following is the correct angle of needle insertion for a standard venipuncture?
- 5–10 degrees
- 15–30 degrees (Correct answer)
- 45–60 degrees
- 75–90 degrees
Correct answer: 15–30 degrees
A needle angle of 15–30 degrees is recommended for venipuncture to allow entry into the vein without going through the posterior wall.
Question 7: A patient has a cast on the right arm and a fistula on the left arm. Where should the phlebotomist collect the specimen?
- Left arm, above the fistula
- Right arm, despite the cast
- Hand veins on the left (Correct answer)
- Request physician authorization before any draw
Correct answer: Hand veins on the left
An arm with an AV fistula must never be used for venipuncture due to risk of infection and inaccurate results; hand veins on the opposite (left) side are the safest alternative when the right arm is also unavailable.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) MCQ 3
A blood culture collection requires which of the following skin antiseptic protocols?