NAPTP Study Guide 2026

Forcing blood through a small-gauge needle or syringe at high velocity creates shear stress that ruptures red blood cells, causing hemolysis.

Bilirubin is photosensitive and degrades rapidly when exposed to light; specimens must be wrapped in foil or placed in an amber container.

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes the most effective methods first: elimination (removing the hazard), substitution (replacing with less hazardous), engineering controls (isolating people from hazard), administrative controls (changing work procedures), and PPE as the last resort.

Confidentiality requires protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure while still complying with legal requirements for information sharing.

The two tiers or levels of precautions are standard precautions and transmission-based precautions. Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices that are applied to all patients, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. These precautions include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices, and respiratory hygiene. Transmission-based precautions, on the other hand, are additional precautions that are used for patients with known or suspected infections that are spread through specific routes, such as airborne, droplet, or contact transmission. These precautions include the use of specialized personal protective equipment and specific isolation measures to prevent the spread of the infection.

The primary objective of venipuncture techniques knowledge is to ensure practitioners have the competence and proficiency needed to perform effectively and safely in their professional roles.