Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Practice
Questions WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate site for a
venipuncture in an adult?
A. Dorsal hand vein
B. Median cubital vein
C. Femoral vein
D. Radial artery
*Answer: B. Median cubital vein – It is the preferred site
because it is large, well-anchored, and less painful for the
patient.
2. Before performing a venipuncture, what is the
recommended hand hygiene practice?
A. Rinse with water only
B. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash with soap and
water
C. Wear gloves immediately without washing
D. Wipe hands with a dry cloth
*Answer: B – Proper hand hygiene reduces the risk of
transmitting infections to both patient and phlebotomist.
3. Which of the following is a common complication of
phlebotomy?
,A. Hematoma
B. Diabetes
C. Hypertension
D. Pneumonia
*Answer: A. Hematoma – Hematomas occur if blood leaks into
surrounding tissue due to improper needle insertion or failure to
apply pressure after venipuncture.
4. What is the proper order of draw for blood collection tubes
according to CLSI guidelines?
A. Red, Green, Lavender, Light Blue
B. Light Blue, Red, Gold, Green, Lavender
C. Lavender, Green, Red, Light Blue
D. Green, Red, Light Blue, Lavender
*Answer: B – This order prevents cross-contamination of
additives between tubes and ensures accurate test results.
5. Which of the following is considered a preanalytical error?
A. Incorrect tube inversion
B. Hemolyzed specimen
C. Mislabeling the specimen
D. All of the above
*Answer: D – Preanalytical errors occur before testing and
include specimen collection, handling, labeling, and transport
mistakes.
6. The presence of petechiae during tourniquet application
indicates:
A. Normal venous pressure
,B. Fragile capillaries or prolonged tourniquet application
C. Correct technique
D. Severe anemia
*Answer: B – Petechiae are small red spots caused by capillary
bleeding, often due to prolonged or tight tourniquet
application.
7. Which type of specimen requires chilling immediately after
collection?
A. Complete blood count
B. Blood glucose
C. Arterial blood gas
D. Ammonia
*Answer: D – Ammonia levels can increase at room
temperature; chilling the specimen preserves accuracy.
8. What is the most appropriate method to identify a patient
before drawing blood?
A. Ask their name and birthdate and verify with ID band
B. Ask the nurse to identify the patient
C. Guess based on the room number
D. Only check the patient chart
*Answer: A – Verifying patient identity prevents mislabeling
and ensures patient safety.
9. Which needle gauge is commonly used for routine adult
venipuncture?
A. 18–20 gauge
B. 21–23 gauge
, C. 25–27 gauge
D. 15–17 gauge
*Answer: B – 21–23 gauge needles are standard for adults
because they balance patient comfort and proper blood flow.
10. Which additive is found in an EDTA tube?
A. Sodium citrate
B. Heparin
C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
D. Sodium fluoride
*Answer: C – EDTA prevents clotting by binding calcium and is
commonly used for hematology tests.
11. If a patient faints during venipuncture, the first action
should be:
A. Continue drawing blood
B. Remove the needle and help the patient lie down
C. Call security
D. Apply a tourniquet to the other arm
*Answer: B – Ensuring the patient’s safety is priority; stopping
the procedure and positioning them reduces risk of injury.
12. Hemolysis in a specimen is most often caused by:
A. Using an appropriately sized needle
B. Vigorous shaking of the tube
C. Proper collection technique
D. Allowing the alcohol to dry before puncture
*Answer: B – Excessive shaking can rupture red blood cells,
affecting test results.
Questions WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate site for a
venipuncture in an adult?
A. Dorsal hand vein
B. Median cubital vein
C. Femoral vein
D. Radial artery
*Answer: B. Median cubital vein – It is the preferred site
because it is large, well-anchored, and less painful for the
patient.
2. Before performing a venipuncture, what is the
recommended hand hygiene practice?
A. Rinse with water only
B. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash with soap and
water
C. Wear gloves immediately without washing
D. Wipe hands with a dry cloth
*Answer: B – Proper hand hygiene reduces the risk of
transmitting infections to both patient and phlebotomist.
3. Which of the following is a common complication of
phlebotomy?
,A. Hematoma
B. Diabetes
C. Hypertension
D. Pneumonia
*Answer: A. Hematoma – Hematomas occur if blood leaks into
surrounding tissue due to improper needle insertion or failure to
apply pressure after venipuncture.
4. What is the proper order of draw for blood collection tubes
according to CLSI guidelines?
A. Red, Green, Lavender, Light Blue
B. Light Blue, Red, Gold, Green, Lavender
C. Lavender, Green, Red, Light Blue
D. Green, Red, Light Blue, Lavender
*Answer: B – This order prevents cross-contamination of
additives between tubes and ensures accurate test results.
5. Which of the following is considered a preanalytical error?
A. Incorrect tube inversion
B. Hemolyzed specimen
C. Mislabeling the specimen
D. All of the above
*Answer: D – Preanalytical errors occur before testing and
include specimen collection, handling, labeling, and transport
mistakes.
6. The presence of petechiae during tourniquet application
indicates:
A. Normal venous pressure
,B. Fragile capillaries or prolonged tourniquet application
C. Correct technique
D. Severe anemia
*Answer: B – Petechiae are small red spots caused by capillary
bleeding, often due to prolonged or tight tourniquet
application.
7. Which type of specimen requires chilling immediately after
collection?
A. Complete blood count
B. Blood glucose
C. Arterial blood gas
D. Ammonia
*Answer: D – Ammonia levels can increase at room
temperature; chilling the specimen preserves accuracy.
8. What is the most appropriate method to identify a patient
before drawing blood?
A. Ask their name and birthdate and verify with ID band
B. Ask the nurse to identify the patient
C. Guess based on the room number
D. Only check the patient chart
*Answer: A – Verifying patient identity prevents mislabeling
and ensures patient safety.
9. Which needle gauge is commonly used for routine adult
venipuncture?
A. 18–20 gauge
B. 21–23 gauge
, C. 25–27 gauge
D. 15–17 gauge
*Answer: B – 21–23 gauge needles are standard for adults
because they balance patient comfort and proper blood flow.
10. Which additive is found in an EDTA tube?
A. Sodium citrate
B. Heparin
C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
D. Sodium fluoride
*Answer: C – EDTA prevents clotting by binding calcium and is
commonly used for hematology tests.
11. If a patient faints during venipuncture, the first action
should be:
A. Continue drawing blood
B. Remove the needle and help the patient lie down
C. Call security
D. Apply a tourniquet to the other arm
*Answer: B – Ensuring the patient’s safety is priority; stopping
the procedure and positioning them reduces risk of injury.
12. Hemolysis in a specimen is most often caused by:
A. Using an appropriately sized needle
B. Vigorous shaking of the tube
C. Proper collection technique
D. Allowing the alcohol to dry before puncture
*Answer: B – Excessive shaking can rupture red blood cells,
affecting test results.
