Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Specimen Handling and Processing 4

Question 1

Which of the following tests would be MOST affected by leaving a specimen in contact with cells for an extended time before centrifugation?

Accepted Answer

Serum potassium

Answer

Potassium leaks from red blood cells over time, causing falsely elevated serum potassium levels if the specimen is not centrifuged promptly.

Question 2

A plasma separator tube (PST) contains which anticoagulant?

Accepted Answer

Lithium heparin

Answer

Plasma separator tubes (light green-top) contain lithium heparin as the anticoagulant along with a gel separator to isolate plasma.

Question 3

What is the correct ratio of blood to anticoagulant in a sodium citrate tube for coagulation testing?

Accepted Answer

9:1

Answer

Sodium citrate tubes require a 9:1 ratio of blood to anticoagulant (9 parts blood to 1 part citrate) to ensure accurate coagulation results.

Question 4

When should a phlebotomist recollect a specimen without consulting the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

When the tube was not filled to the correct volume for a citrate tube

Answer

A sodium citrate tube that is underfilled must be recollected because the incorrect blood-to-anticoagulant ratio will invalidate coagulation test results.

Question 5

Which of the following best describes 'lipemia' as a specimen quality issue?

Accepted Answer

Presence of excess lipids causing a milky or turbid appearance

Answer

Lipemia refers to high lipid concentration in serum/plasma, causing a milky turbid appearance that can interfere with spectrophotometric assays.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Specimen Handling and Processing 4