National Healthcareer Association Flashcards
7 cards from real Phlebotomy Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 National Healthcareer Association flashcards as text
Which condition requires the phlebotomist to avoid drawing blood from the ipsilateral (same-side) arm of a mastectomy patient?
Answer: Lymphedema risk and compromised lymphatic drainage
Removing axillary lymph nodes during mastectomy impairs lymphatic drainage, making puncture on that arm a risk for infection and lymphedema.
When a specimen is hemolyzed, which of the following test results is MOST likely to be falsely elevated?
Answer: Potassium (K+)
Potassium is highly concentrated inside red blood cells; hemolysis releases intracellular potassium, causing falsely elevated serum potassium levels.
The NHA CPT exam includes a domain focused on 'Specimen Handling, Transport, and Processing.' Which action falls under this domain?
Answer: Centrifuging specimens at the correct speed and time
Centrifugation is a post-collection processing step that separates serum or plasma from cells, falling under specimen handling.
A phlebotomist accidentally sustains a needlestick injury. What is the FIRST action to take?
Answer: Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
Immediate washing with soap and water is the first and most important step in reducing infection risk after a needlestick.
Which quality control practice ensures correct patient identification in phlebotomy?
Answer: Using at least two patient identifiers before collection
Two patient identifiers (e.g., full name and date of birth) must be verified against the requisition and armband per Joint Commission standards.
A timed glucose tolerance test (GTT) requires multiple draws. If the 2-hour post-glucose draw is collected at 2 hours 15 minutes, this is considered:
Answer: A pre-analytical error that should be documented
Draws outside the specified collection window in timed tests constitute a pre-analytical error that must be documented so clinicians can interpret results correctly.
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is ALWAYS required when performing a venipuncture, regardless of the patient's infection status?
Answer: Gloves
Standard precautions require gloves during all venipunctures because blood is always considered potentially infectious.