Certified Phlebotomy Technician Specimen Handling and Processing Questions and Answers

Question 1

A phlebotomist is preparing to collect a blood specimen for an ammonia level. Which of the following handling procedures is critical for ensuring the accuracy of the test result?

Accepted Answer

The specimen must be placed in an ice slurry immediately after collection.

Answer

The specimen must be protected from light by wrapping it in foil.

Answer

The specimen must be kept at body temperature (37°C) until centrifugation.

Answer

The specimen must be allowed to clot for at least 60 minutes before processing.

Question 2

Which of the following analytes requires the blood collection tube to be protected from light as soon as it is drawn?

Accepted Answer

Bilirubin

Answer

Glucose

Answer

Potassium

Answer

Lactic Acid

Question 3

A phlebotomist receives an order to draw blood for a cold agglutinin test. What is the correct handling procedure for this specimen immediately following collection?

Accepted Answer

Place the tube in a 37°C heat block or incubator.

Answer

Immediately centrifuge the specimen at high speed.

Answer

Submerge the tube in an ice-water bath.

Answer

Gently invert the tube 15-20 times.

Question 4

According to CLSI guidelines, what is the maximum amount of time that should elapse between the collection of a routine blood specimen for serum testing and the separation of serum from the cells by centrifugation?

Accepted Answer

2 hours

Answer

30 minutes

Answer

4 hours

Answer

8 hours

Question 5

A laboratory rejects a light blue top tube for a coagulation test. Which of the following is the most likely reason for specimen rejection?

Accepted Answer

The tube was only filled to 75% capacity.

Answer

The tube was not protected from light.

Answer

The tube was inverted 8 times after collection.

Answer

The tube was transported at room temperature.

Question 6

A phlebotomist is sending a frozen plasma specimen to a reference laboratory. Which of the following is the correct procedure for transport?

Accepted Answer

Ship the unspun whole blood tube in a refrigerated container.

Answer

Place the original glass collection tube in a biohazard bag with a frozen gel pack.

Answer

Transport the separated plasma in a plastic screw-cap vial on dry ice.

Answer

Wrap the frozen plasma tube in foil and place it in a standard mailer.

A phlebotomist is preparing to collect a blood specimen for an ammonia level.Which of the following handling procedures is critical for ensuring the accuracy of the test result?

A phlebotomist is preparing to collect a blood specimen for an ammonia level.
Which of the following handling procedures is critical for ensuring the accuracy of the test result?