PCT Phlebotomy 4

Question 1

A PCT is about to collect blood from a patient in isolation for MRSA. Which PPE must be donned BEFORE entering the room?

Accepted Answer

Gown and gloves at minimum, per contact precautions

Answer

MRSA requires contact precautions, which mandate gown and gloves before entering; N95 is reserved for airborne precautions.

Question 2

Which specimen must be transported on ice to the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Arterial blood gas (ABG) syringe

Answer

ABG specimens must be chilled on ice to stop continued cellular metabolism that would alter pH, pO2, and pCO2 values.

Question 3

A lavender-top tube is underfilled to only half capacity. Which test will be MOST affected?

Accepted Answer

CBC and differential

Answer

The EDTA-to-blood ratio is critical for CBC; excess anticoagulant shrinks red cells (echinocytosis) and skews MCV and hematocrit.

Question 4

When using a butterfly needle for venipuncture, a discard tube should be drawn FIRST when collecting:

Accepted Answer

A light blue sodium citrate tube

Answer

The dead space in the butterfly tubing contains air that would underfill the citrate tube and alter the 9:1 blood-to-citrate ratio, so a discard tube is drawn first.

Question 5

Prolonged tourniquet application (>1 minute) can cause:

Accepted Answer

Hemoconcentration

Answer

Extended tourniquet use causes fluid to shift out of vessels into tissues, concentrating large molecules and cells in the remaining blood.

PCT Practice Test

PCT Practice Test

PCT Phlebotomy 4