Phlebotomy Test Association of Phlebotomy Technicians 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under APT guidelines, how soon after collection should a specimen labeled with patient identifiers be processed if left at room temperature?
- Within 30 minutes
- Within 2 hours (Correct answer)
- Within 8 hours
- Within 24 hours
Correct answer: Within 2 hours
Most specimens should be processed or refrigerated within 2 hours of collection to preserve analyte stability.
Question 2: What is the recommended angle of needle insertion for routine adult venipuncture?
- 5–10 degrees
- 15–30 degrees (Correct answer)
- 45–60 degrees
- 90 degrees
Correct answer: 15–30 degrees
A 15–30 degree angle is standard for venipuncture, allowing the needle to enter the vein without piercing the posterior wall.
Question 3: Which of the following is a contraindication for performing venipuncture on a specific arm?
- Patient preference for that arm
- Presence of a dialysis fistula or AV shunt (Correct answer)
- Mild dehydration
- A tourniquet applied more than 30 seconds ago
Correct answer: Presence of a dialysis fistula or AV shunt
Drawing from an arm with a dialysis fistula or AV shunt can damage the fistula and compromise the patient's dialysis access.
Question 4: What information is the MINIMUM required on a specimen label according to best practice standards?
- Patient name only
- Patient name, date of birth, and collection date/time (Correct answer)
- Patient name and ward number
- Barcode only if computer-generated
Correct answer: Patient name, date of birth, and collection date/time
Minimum labeling requires patient name, date of birth, and collection date/time to ensure accurate patient-sample matching.
Question 5: A phlebotomist notices a patient's tourniquet has been on for 3 minutes before the draw begins. What should they do?
- Proceed immediately to minimize patient discomfort
- Release the tourniquet and reapply after a 2-minute wait (Correct answer)
- Switch to the other arm without releasing
- Document and continue — tourniquet time does not affect results
Correct answer: Release the tourniquet and reapply after a 2-minute wait
Prolonged tourniquet application causes hemoconcentration; releasing and waiting before reapplying prevents falsely elevated analyte results.
Question 6: What is the correct response if a patient begins to feel faint (vasovagal syncope) during venipuncture?
- Continue the draw quickly to finish sooner
- Remove the needle, lower the patient's head, and apply a cold compress (Correct answer)
- Administer oral glucose immediately
- Tighten the tourniquet to maintain venous pressure
Correct answer: Remove the needle, lower the patient's head, and apply a cold compress
The needle should be removed immediately, the patient reclined with head lowered to restore cerebral blood flow, and a cold compress applied.
Question 7: Which specimen is typically collected in a grey-top tube containing sodium fluoride?
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Glucose and lactate testing (Correct answer)
- Coagulation studies
- Thyroid function tests
Correct answer: Glucose and lactate testing
Grey-top tubes with sodium fluoride inhibit glycolysis, preserving glucose levels for accurate glucose and lactate measurements.
Phlebotomy Test Association of Phlebotomy Technicians 3
Under APT guidelines, how soon after collection should a specimen labeled with patient identifiers be processed if left at room temperature?