Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Specimen Collection 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the order of draw for evacuated tube collection, which tube is collected FIRST?
- EDTA (lavender)
- Sodium citrate (light blue)
- Blood culture bottles (Correct answer)
- SST (gold/tiger-top)
Correct answer: Blood culture bottles
Blood culture bottles are always collected first to minimize contamination risk before other tubes.
Question 2: Which condition requires a timed specimen collection and why?
- CBC, because cells degrade over time
- Glucose tolerance test, because glucose levels change predictably after a challenge dose (Correct answer)
- BMP, because electrolytes fluctuate randomly
- Lipid panel, because cholesterol is unstable
Correct 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.
Question 3: What action should be taken if a patient faints (syncope) during venipuncture?
- Continue the draw quickly to finish
- Remove the needle, apply pressure, lower the patient's head, and call for help (Correct answer)
- Tighten the tourniquet to maintain blood flow
- Have the patient stand up immediately
Correct answer: Remove the needle, apply pressure, lower the patient's head, and call for help
Remove the needle immediately, apply pressure to the site, lower the patient's head or position them safely, and summon assistance.
Question 4: Which tube stopper color indicates a serum separator tube (SST)?
- Lavender
- Light blue
- Green
- Gold or red-gray tiger-top (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gold or red-gray tiger-top
Gold or red-gray tiger-top stoppers indicate SST tubes, which contain a clot activator and gel separator for serum collection.
Question 5: Why must the first drop of blood be wiped away during a capillary puncture?
- It contains excess red blood cells
- It may be contaminated with tissue fluid and alcohol residue (Correct answer)
- It is needed to prime the lancet
- It contains excess platelets
Correct answer: It may be contaminated with tissue fluid and alcohol residue
The first drop is discarded because it may be diluted with tissue fluid and contaminated with residual alcohol, skewing results.
Question 6: A phlebotomist cannot locate a vein after two unsuccessful attempts. What is the appropriate next step?
- Make a third attempt on the same arm
- Ask another qualified phlebotomist or supervisor to attempt the draw (Correct answer)
- Apply a heat pack and retry immediately
- Document the failure and skip the test
Correct answer: Ask another qualified phlebotomist or supervisor to attempt the draw
After two failed attempts, standard practice requires requesting another qualified collector to attempt the draw rather than continuing.
Question 7: Which specimen type is required for a lead level test in a pediatric patient?
- Serum from an SST tube
- Plasma from a green-top heparin tube
- Whole blood collected in a royal blue (EDTA) or tan-top tube (Correct answer)
- Urine collected in a urine cup
Correct answer: Whole blood collected in a royal blue (EDTA) or tan-top tube
Lead levels require whole blood in a trace-element-free royal blue or tan EDTA tube to prevent contamination from metals in the stopper.
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Specimen Collection 3
In the order of draw for evacuated tube collection, which tube is collected FIRST?