NCCT - National Certified Phlebotomy Technician Non-Blood Specimen Collection Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient is provided with a collection jug and instructions for a 24-hour urine specimen. Which of the following instructions is most critical for ensuring the accuracy of the collection?

Accepted Answer

Discard the first morning specimen, start the timing, and then collect all subsequent urine, including the first morning specimen on the final day.

Answer

Keep the collection jug at a consistent room temperature throughout the 24 hours.

Answer

Collect the very first specimen of the day, note the time, and then collect all urine for the next 24 hours.

Answer

Ensure the final volume is at least 3 liters to be considered an adequate sample.

Question 2

A phlebotomist is instructing a patient on how to collect a sputum specimen for a suspected tuberculosis infection. To obtain a high-quality specimen, what is the MOST important instruction to provide?

Accepted Answer

"First thing in the morning, before eating, rinse your mouth with water, take a few deep breaths, and then produce a deep cough from your lungs into the cup."

Answer

"Collect the sample in the evening after you have been active all day."

Answer

"Spit saliva into the cup until it is about half full."

Answer

"Rinse your mouth thoroughly with antiseptic mouthwash just before coughing into the container."

Question 3

Which of the following is a mandatory procedure for a urine specimen collected for a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screen to ensure its integrity?

Accepted Answer

The collector must check the specimen's temperature within four minutes of collection.

Answer

The patient must provide a photo ID after the collection is complete.

Answer

The specimen must be immediately refrigerated at 2-8°C.

Answer

The collection cup must be filled to the brim to prevent air exposure.

Question 4

A male patient submits a semen specimen for fertility analysis. Which of the following handling procedures by the phlebotomist or receiving laboratory staff is correct?

Accepted Answer

Documenting the time of collection and keeping the specimen close to body temperature (approx. 37°C).

Answer

Immediately placing the specimen on a cold pack to preserve sperm motility.

Answer

Rejecting the specimen if it is delivered more than 15 minutes after collection.

Answer

Centrifuging the specimen immediately upon arrival to separate seminal fluid.

Question 5

When instructing a patient for collection of a stool sample for a guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT), the phlebotomist should advise the patient to avoid which of the following for three days prior to collection?

Accepted Answer

Red meat, horseradish, and raw broccoli.

Answer

Poultry, fish, and dairy products.

Answer

High-fiber foods like whole wheat bread.

Answer

Caffeinated beverages and chocolate.

Question 6

A physician performs a lumbar puncture and collects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into four sterile, sequentially numbered tubes. According to common laboratory protocol, which tube is typically sent to the microbiology department for culture and sensitivity testing?

Accepted Answer

Tube #2

Answer

Tube #4

Answer

Tube #1

Answer

Tube #3