Certified Phlebotomy Technician Safety and Compliance Questions and Answers

Question 1

A phlebotomist is tasked with collecting blood for a coagulation test, a complete blood count (CBC), and a blood culture. According to CLSI guidelines, what is the correct order of draw for these tests?

Accepted Answer

Blood culture, Coagulation tube, CBC tube

Answer

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) establishes the standard order of draw to prevent cross-contamination of additives between tubes. The correct sequence begins with blood culture tubes to maintain sterility, followed by coagulation tubes (e.g., light blue top) to prevent contamination from clot activators, and then tubes with other additives like the EDTA tube (e.g., lavender top) for a CBC.

Question 2

While preparing to draw blood from an inpatient, the phlebotomist notices that the name on the requisition form matches the name the patient states, but the date of birth on the requisition form is different from the patient's armband. What is the most appropriate action for the phlebotomist to take?

Accepted Answer

Ask a nurse to confirm the patient's identity and resolve the discrepancy before drawing blood.

Answer

Patient safety and specimen accuracy are paramount. Any discrepancy in patient identification information must be resolved before the blood collection proceeds. The phlebotomist should not attempt to correct the information themselves or proceed with the draw. Involving the nursing staff is the correct protocol to ensure the patient is properly identified and the records are corrected.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key requirement of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act?

Accepted Answer

Requiring employers to involve non-managerial employees in the evaluation and selection of safer medical devices.

Answer

The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act amended the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to include several new requirements. A significant one is the mandate for employers to solicit input from frontline, non-managerial employees who are responsible for direct patient care in identifying, evaluating, and selecting effective engineering and work practice controls, such as safety-engineered sharps devices.

Question 4

A phlebotomist accidentally sustains a needlestick injury after performing a venipuncture. After immediately washing the area with soap and water, what is the next critical step in compliance with OSHA regulations?

Accepted Answer

Complete an incident report and inform their supervisor.

Answer

Following immediate first aid (washing the site), the next essential step is to report the exposure to their supervisor and complete the necessary incident/exposure report. This initiates the facility's post-exposure evaluation and follow-up protocol, which is a requirement of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

Question 5

How should a phlebotomist properly dispose of a full, sealed sharps container?

Accepted Answer

Place it in a designated biohazard waste collection bin for pickup.

Answer

Full and sealed sharps containers are considered regulated medical waste (biohazardous waste). They must be placed into a designated, leak-proof, and properly labeled secondary container or bin for disposal by a licensed medical waste management company, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Safety and Compliance Questions and Answers