CPCT MCQ 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When performing a venipuncture, which vein is most commonly used as the first choice in adults?
- Basilic vein
- Cephalic vein
- Median cubital vein (Correct answer)
- Dorsal metacarpal vein
Correct answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the preferred first-choice site due to its size, stability, and accessibility.
Question 2: A patient with a latex allergy needs a blood draw. Which action is most important before the procedure?
- Pre-medicate with diphenhydramine
- Use latex-free gloves and latex-free tourniquet (Correct answer)
- Avoid the antecubital fossa entirely
- Notify infection control before proceeding
Correct answer: Use latex-free gloves and latex-free tourniquet
All latex-containing supplies must be replaced with latex-free alternatives to prevent an allergic reaction.
Question 3: The order of draw for a routine blood collection using evacuated tubes is:
- EDTA (purple) → SST (gold) → Light blue (citrate)
- Light blue (citrate) → SST (gold) → EDTA (purple) (Correct answer)
- SST (gold) → Light blue (citrate) → EDTA (purple)
- EDTA (purple) → Light blue (citrate) → SST (gold)
Correct answer: Light blue (citrate) → SST (gold) → EDTA (purple)
The CLSI-recommended order is: citrate (light blue) first, then serum tubes (gold/SST), then EDTA (purple) last.
Question 4: A patient falls while ambulating with PCT assistance. After ensuring patient safety, what is the PCT's next priority?
- Help the patient back to bed and continue the ambulation session later
- Complete an incident report and notify the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Ask a coworker to witness the scene before moving the patient
- Assess the patient for injury and document vital signs independently
Correct answer: Complete an incident report and notify the nurse immediately
After stabilizing the patient, the nurse must be notified immediately and an incident report must be filed per facility policy.
Question 5: Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with muscle cramps, cardiac arrhythmias, and weakness in post-surgical patients?
- Hyponatremia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypokalemia (Correct answer)
- Hypermagnesemia
Correct answer: Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia (low potassium) commonly causes muscle cramps, weakness, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 6: When collecting a midstream clean-catch urine specimen from a female patient, which instruction is correct?
- Collect urine immediately after beginning urination without stopping
- Cleanse front-to-back, void a small amount into the toilet, then collect midstream (Correct answer)
- Cleanse back-to-front and collect the first portion of the stream
- Collect urine after drinking 32 oz of water to ensure adequate volume
Correct answer: Cleanse front-to-back, void a small amount into the toilet, then collect midstream
The front-to-back cleanse followed by discarding the first void before collecting midstream prevents contamination.
Question 7: A PCT observes a colleague not washing hands between patient rooms. The most appropriate action is to:
- Report it to the infection control department immediately
- Confront the colleague loudly at the nursing station
- Remind the colleague that hand hygiene is required between patients (Correct answer)
- Ignore it to maintain a positive work environment
Correct answer: Remind the colleague that hand hygiene is required between patients
Politely reminding the colleague addresses the safety issue immediately and promotes a culture of accountability.
CPCT MCQ 3
When performing a venipuncture, which vein is most commonly used as the first choice in adults?