Phlebotomy Test National Healthcareer Association 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient has a latex allergy documented in their chart. Which item used during routine venipuncture must be substituted?
- Standard gloves replaced with nitrile or vinyl gloves (Correct answer)
- The evacuated tube system
- The needle gauge selection
- The antiseptic used for site preparation
Correct answer: Standard gloves replaced with nitrile or vinyl gloves
Standard examination gloves may contain latex; nitrile or vinyl gloves must be substituted for latex-allergic patients.
Question 2: Which laboratory test requires the specimen to be kept warm (37°C) during transport to the laboratory?
- Cold agglutinin titer (Correct answer)
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
Correct answer: Cold agglutinin titer
Cold agglutinins precipitate at low temperatures, so the specimen must be maintained at body temperature to prevent false results.
Question 3: What is the maximum recommended tourniquet application time before venipuncture?
- 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 3 minutes
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 1 minute
Tourniquets should not remain on longer than 1 minute to prevent hemoconcentration, which skews test results.
Question 4: A requisition slip lists a 'STAT' order. In a clinical laboratory context, STAT means:
- Immediate processing — results needed urgently (Correct answer)
- Standard turnaround time
- Scheduled for the next routine run
- Send to tertiary analysis testing
Correct answer: Immediate processing — results needed urgently
STAT (from Latin statim) signals that the specimen must be collected and results returned as quickly as possible.
Question 5: Which of the following veins is considered the FIRST choice for routine adult venipuncture according to standard phlebotomy guidelines?
- Median cubital vein (Correct answer)
- Basilic vein
- Cephalic vein
- Dorsal hand veins
Correct answer: Median cubital vein
The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the preferred site because it is large, well-anchored, and least painful.
Question 6: After a dermal (skin) puncture, the FIRST drop of blood should be:
- Wiped away and discarded (Correct answer)
- Used for glucose testing
- Collected for CBC analysis
- Applied to the culture medium
Correct answer: Wiped away and discarded
The first drop may contain excess tissue fluid that can dilute the specimen and interfere with accurate test results.
Question 7: Which federal law primarily governs the privacy and confidentiality of patient health information that phlebotomists must uphold?
- HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) (Correct answer)
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Correct answer: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
HIPAA's Privacy Rule establishes national standards for protecting patients' medical records and personal health information.
Phlebotomy Test National Healthcareer Association 3
A patient has a latex allergy documented in their chart.
Which item used during routine venipuncture must be substituted?