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Special Collection Procedures 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.

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  1. A forensic or chain-of-custody specimen requires which critical step that is not routine for standard lab draws?

    Answer: Patient and collector witnessing, initialing the label, and completing a chain-of-custody form

    Chain-of-custody documentation ensures the specimen's integrity and legal admissibility by tracking every person who handles it.

  2. When collecting a specimen for ammonia testing, which pre-analytical condition is most critical?

    Answer: Immediately placing the specimen on ice and transporting it within 15 minutes

    Ammonia is produced by cellular metabolism after collection; chilling the specimen slows this process and prevents falsely elevated results.

  3. Which site is contraindicated for venipuncture in a mastectomy patient?

    Answer: Any vein on the ipsilateral (same-side) arm

    Lymph node removal during mastectomy impairs lymphatic drainage on that side, and venipuncture can increase the risk of infection and lymphedema.

  4. For a PKU (phenylketonuria) newborn screening, when is the optimal time to collect the blood spot specimen?

    Answer: 24–48 hours after birth and after at least one feeding of protein

    Protein feeding is necessary for phenylalanine to accumulate to detectable levels, and waiting 24–48 hours ensures accurate screening results.

  5. Which of the following specimens requires collection in a tan-top (K2EDTA) tube for lead testing in adults?

    Answer: Whole blood in a tan-top (K2EDTA) tube

    Lead testing requires whole blood anticoagulated with EDTA; tan-top tubes are certified to be trace-element-free to prevent lead contamination from the stopper.

  6. When performing a glucose tolerance test, what should the phlebotomist instruct the patient to do between timed blood draws?

    Answer: Remain seated, avoid eating, drinking (except water), smoking, or strenuous exercise

    Activity, food, caffeine, and smoking alter glucose metabolism and would invalidate the timed glucose curve results.

  7. A blood culture collected from a central venous catheter (CVC) is most likely to show which pre-analytical problem compared to a peripheral draw?

    Answer: Higher contamination rate from catheter hub colonization

    Central catheters are colonized by biofilm organisms that can inoculate the blood culture bottle and produce a false-positive result.