Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Patient Preparation and Identification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient scheduled for a lipid panel says they ate a small snack 4 hours ago. What should the phlebotomist do?
- Draw the specimen and note the fasting deviation on the requisition
- Draw immediately; 4 hours is sufficient fasting for a lipid panel
- Reschedule and instruct the patient to fast for 9–12 hours (Correct answer)
- Collect the specimen since triglycerides are unaffected by food
Correct answer: Reschedule and instruct the patient to fast for 9–12 hours
A lipid panel requires 9–12 hours of fasting; a 4-hour fast is inadequate and the test should be rescheduled.
Question 2: When labeling a blood culture bottle at the bedside, which information is MOST critical to include?
- The phlebotomist's name in full
- The date and time of collection and patient identifiers (Correct answer)
- The patient's diagnosis
- The type of antiseptic used for skin preparation
Correct answer: The date and time of collection and patient identifiers
Date, time of collection, and patient identifiers are essential for blood culture bottles to ensure proper result interpretation.
Question 3: Which position is RECOMMENDED for most routine venipuncture to reduce the risk of patient fainting?
- Standing at a counter
- Sitting upright in a phlebotomy chair with armrest support (Correct answer)
- Lying flat in the supine position only
- Semi-reclined at 45 degrees, legs elevated
Correct answer: Sitting upright in a phlebotomy chair with armrest support
A seated position in a phlebotomy chair with armrest support is standard to prevent falls if the patient experiences vasovagal syncope.
Question 4: A patient reports they take warfarin daily. How does this affect patient preparation for a venipuncture?
- A larger gauge needle must be used
- The patient must stop warfarin 48 hours before the draw
- Prolonged pressure (5+ minutes) should be applied to the site after the draw (Correct answer)
- The draw cannot proceed without physician approval
Correct answer: Prolonged pressure (5+ minutes) should be applied to the site after the draw
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs bleeding time, so extended pressure is needed after needle withdrawal.
Question 5: A pediatric patient is brought in with a parent. The child's wristband has fallen off. Who can verbally confirm the child's identity?
- The child, if old enough to speak
- The parent or legal guardian present
- The nursing staff assigned to that floor
- Either the parent/guardian or nursing staff, and nursing must replace the band (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Either the parent/guardian or nursing staff, and nursing must replace the band
For pediatric patients without a wristband, a parent/guardian or nurse can verbally confirm identity, and a new band must be applied before collection.
Question 6: What is the PRIMARY reason phlebotomists verify dietary restrictions before collection?
- To ensure the patient has taken required medications with food
- To prevent pre-analytical errors that alter test results (Correct answer)
- To comply with hospital food service scheduling
- To document the patient's nutritional status for the nurse
Correct answer: To prevent pre-analytical errors that alter test results
Pre-analytical variables like fasting status directly impact the accuracy of many analyte measurements.
Question 7: A phlebotomist enters a room and finds two patients sharing the same room with very similar names. What is the SAFEST approach?
- Ask the roommate to point out the correct patient
- Confirm ID band and second identifier for each patient independently before any draw (Correct answer)
- Call the nursing station to determine which bed is correct
- Draw from the patient closest to the door, as listed first on the requisition
Correct answer: Confirm ID band and second identifier for each patient independently before any draw
Each patient must be independently verified using their ID band and a second identifier regardless of room sharing or similar names.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Patient Preparation and Identification 3
A patient scheduled for a lipid panel says they ate a small snack 4 hours ago.
What should the phlebotomist do?