PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN EXAM ACTUAL
PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
1. A patient’s identification band states a different date of birth than what is on
the lab requisition. What is the phlebotomist’s most appropriate action?
A. Draw the sample and note the discrepancy
B. Notify the nurse or physician before drawing
C. Ask the patient to confirm the date of birth and proceed
D. Ignore it if the patient seems alert and cooperative
Rationale: Patient identification errors are a leading cause of lab errors.
Always verify and notify responsible staff before proceeding.
2. Which antiseptic is preferred for a routine venipuncture on a non-fasting
adult?
A. Iodine
B. 70% Isopropyl alcohol
C. Hydrogen peroxide
D. Soap and water
Rationale: 70% isopropyl alcohol effectively reduces skin flora without
affecting most lab tests.
3. The order “STAT glucose” is received. The specimen must be:
A. Sent with routine specimens
B. Collected at the next scheduled time
C. Collected without patient identification
D. Collected immediately and processed promptly
, Rationale: STAT orders indicate urgency; immediate collection and
processing is required to prevent inaccurate results.
4. Which vein is considered the first choice for venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Dorsal hand vein
Rationale: Median cubital vein is large, well-anchored, and less likely to
cause nerve injury.
5. During a blood draw, the patient begins to faint. What is your first response?
A. Complete the draw quickly
B. Remove the needle and have the patient lie down
C. Ask the patient to continue breathing deeply
D. Apply the tourniquet more tightly
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount; fainting can lead to injury. Remove
the needle and position patient safely.
6. A phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming during a draw. The best next
step is:
A. Continue drawing from the same site
B. Apply a tourniquet more tightly
C. Remove the needle and apply pressure
D. Use the same needle on the opposite arm
Rationale: Continuing could worsen the hematoma; stop immediately and
apply pressure to prevent complications.
7. The primary purpose of CLSI guidelines is to:
A. Mandate hospital policies
B. Enforce federal laws
, C. Standardize laboratory procedures for safety and accuracy
D. Replace state regulations
Rationale: CLSI provides evidence-based protocols to ensure quality and
safety in lab procedures.
8. Which of the following is a pre-analytical error?
A. Mislabeling a specimen
B. Running the assay incorrectly
C. Drawing the specimen from the wrong patient
D. Reporting a result inaccurately
Rationale: Pre-analytical errors occur before the sample reaches the lab
and are the most common type of lab error.
9. For a patient with an IV in the right arm, the best practice is to:
A. Draw above the IV
B. Draw from the same arm distal to the IV
C. Draw from the opposite arm
D. Draw from the hand on the same side
Rationale: Drawing below an IV risks contamination with IV fluids; the
opposite arm is preferred.
10.What is the recommended angle of needle insertion for routine
venipuncture?
A. 10–15 degrees
B. 15–30 degrees
C. 30–45 degrees
D. 45–60 degrees
Rationale: A shallow angle allows entry into the vein without puncturing
through the opposite wall.
, 11.Which blood collection tube additive prevents clotting for coagulation tests?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. None
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, making it ideal for
coagulation studies.
12.How long should the phlebotomist apply a tourniquet for optimal venous
distention?
A. 5 minutes
B. 3–4 minutes
C. No longer than 1 minute
D. Until the vein collapses
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause hemoconcentration
and alter test results.
13.A blood specimen needs to be chilled immediately. Which test likely
requires this handling?
A. CBC
B. Ammonia
C. Electrolytes
D. Serum glucose
Rationale: Ammonia levels are unstable at room temperature and must be
transported on ice.
14.When labeling specimens, which information is mandatory?
A. Patient initials
B. Room number
C. Patient full name, date of birth, date/time of collection, phlebotomist
PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED
ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS –
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
1. A patient’s identification band states a different date of birth than what is on
the lab requisition. What is the phlebotomist’s most appropriate action?
A. Draw the sample and note the discrepancy
B. Notify the nurse or physician before drawing
C. Ask the patient to confirm the date of birth and proceed
D. Ignore it if the patient seems alert and cooperative
Rationale: Patient identification errors are a leading cause of lab errors.
Always verify and notify responsible staff before proceeding.
2. Which antiseptic is preferred for a routine venipuncture on a non-fasting
adult?
A. Iodine
B. 70% Isopropyl alcohol
C. Hydrogen peroxide
D. Soap and water
Rationale: 70% isopropyl alcohol effectively reduces skin flora without
affecting most lab tests.
3. The order “STAT glucose” is received. The specimen must be:
A. Sent with routine specimens
B. Collected at the next scheduled time
C. Collected without patient identification
D. Collected immediately and processed promptly
, Rationale: STAT orders indicate urgency; immediate collection and
processing is required to prevent inaccurate results.
4. Which vein is considered the first choice for venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Dorsal hand vein
Rationale: Median cubital vein is large, well-anchored, and less likely to
cause nerve injury.
5. During a blood draw, the patient begins to faint. What is your first response?
A. Complete the draw quickly
B. Remove the needle and have the patient lie down
C. Ask the patient to continue breathing deeply
D. Apply the tourniquet more tightly
Rationale: Patient safety is paramount; fainting can lead to injury. Remove
the needle and position patient safely.
6. A phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming during a draw. The best next
step is:
A. Continue drawing from the same site
B. Apply a tourniquet more tightly
C. Remove the needle and apply pressure
D. Use the same needle on the opposite arm
Rationale: Continuing could worsen the hematoma; stop immediately and
apply pressure to prevent complications.
7. The primary purpose of CLSI guidelines is to:
A. Mandate hospital policies
B. Enforce federal laws
, C. Standardize laboratory procedures for safety and accuracy
D. Replace state regulations
Rationale: CLSI provides evidence-based protocols to ensure quality and
safety in lab procedures.
8. Which of the following is a pre-analytical error?
A. Mislabeling a specimen
B. Running the assay incorrectly
C. Drawing the specimen from the wrong patient
D. Reporting a result inaccurately
Rationale: Pre-analytical errors occur before the sample reaches the lab
and are the most common type of lab error.
9. For a patient with an IV in the right arm, the best practice is to:
A. Draw above the IV
B. Draw from the same arm distal to the IV
C. Draw from the opposite arm
D. Draw from the hand on the same side
Rationale: Drawing below an IV risks contamination with IV fluids; the
opposite arm is preferred.
10.What is the recommended angle of needle insertion for routine
venipuncture?
A. 10–15 degrees
B. 15–30 degrees
C. 30–45 degrees
D. 45–60 degrees
Rationale: A shallow angle allows entry into the vein without puncturing
through the opposite wall.
, 11.Which blood collection tube additive prevents clotting for coagulation tests?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. None
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium reversibly, making it ideal for
coagulation studies.
12.How long should the phlebotomist apply a tourniquet for optimal venous
distention?
A. 5 minutes
B. 3–4 minutes
C. No longer than 1 minute
D. Until the vein collapses
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause hemoconcentration
and alter test results.
13.A blood specimen needs to be chilled immediately. Which test likely
requires this handling?
A. CBC
B. Ammonia
C. Electrolytes
D. Serum glucose
Rationale: Ammonia levels are unstable at room temperature and must be
transported on ice.
14.When labeling specimens, which information is mandatory?
A. Patient initials
B. Room number
C. Patient full name, date of birth, date/time of collection, phlebotomist
