NHA PHLEBOTOMY CERTIFICATION (CPT) 2026 EXAM READY - VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE LATEST VERSION
Q1. What is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of
infection?
ANSWER Proper hand hygiene (handwashing with soap and water or using
alcohol-based hand sanitizer).
Q2. How long should you wash your hands with soap and water according
to CDC guidelines?
ANSWER At least 20 seconds.
Q3. What does PPE stand for?
ANSWER Personal Protective Equipment.
Q4. What PPE is required when performing a venipuncture?
ANSWER Gloves are required at minimum; additional PPE (gown, mask, eye
protection) may be required based on precautions.
Q5. What type of isolation precautions are used for patients with airborne
diseases like tuberculosis?
ANSWER Airborne precautions.
Q6. What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard require
phlebotomists to do?
ANSWER Use Standard Precautions, wear PPE, receive hepatitis B
vaccination, receive training, and follow exposure control plans.
Q7. What is the purpose of Standard Precautions?
ANSWER To treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious,
regardless of the patient's known status.
Q8. When should gloves be changed during phlebotomy procedures?
ANSWER Between each patient and when torn or contaminated.
Q9. What is a biohazard symbol used to indicate?
ANSWER That a substance or container holds potentially infectious material.
,Q10. How should sharps be disposed of?
ANSWER In a puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps container that is properly
labeled.
Q11. What is the maximum fill level for a sharps container?
ANSWER Three-quarters (75%) full.
Q12. What does the term 'nosocomial infection' mean?
ANSWER A healthcare-associated infection acquired in a hospital or clinical
setting.
Q13. What is the correct order for putting on PPE?
ANSWER Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves.
Q14. What is the correct order for removing PPE?
ANSWER Gloves, goggles/face shield, gown, mask/respirator.
Q15. When should hands be washed with soap and water rather than hand
sanitizer?
ANSWER When hands are visibly soiled or when caring for patients with C.
difficile or norovirus.
Q16. What precautions are used for contact diseases such as MRSA?
ANSWER Contact precautions.
Q17. What color bag is used for biohazardous waste?
ANSWER Red or orange bag.
Q18. What is the OSHA requirement regarding hepatitis B vaccination for
phlebotomists?
ANSWER Employers must offer it free of charge within 10 days of
employment.
Q19. After a needlestick injury, what is the first action a phlebotomist
should take?
ANSWER Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water, then report the
incident immediately.
Q20. What is the purpose of an exposure control plan?
ANSWER To outline procedures to reduce employee exposure to bloodborne
pathogens.
Q21. What is engineering control in the context of infection control?
, ANSWER Physical or mechanical devices that isolate or remove hazards
(e.g., safety needles, sharps containers).
Q22. What is a work practice control?
ANSWER Behaviors or procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure
(e.g., not recapping needles by hand).
Q23. What type of pathogen causes hepatitis C?
ANSWER A blood-borne virus (HCV — Hepatitis C Virus).
Q24. How is HIV primarily transmitted in a healthcare setting?
ANSWER Through contact with infected blood via needlestick injuries or
mucous membrane exposure.
Q25. What is the benefit of using safety-engineered needles?
ANSWER They reduce the risk of accidental needlestick injuries.
Q26. What does 'chain of infection' refer to?
ANSWER The six links that must all be present for an infection to spread:
infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry,
and susceptible host.
Q27. What is the difference between antiseptic and disinfectant?
ANSWER Antiseptics are used on living tissue; disinfectants are used on
inanimate surfaces.
Q28. What antiseptic is most commonly used to cleanse a venipuncture
site?
ANSWER 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Q29. When must a phlebotomist use a new pair of gloves?
ANSWER Before each patient contact and whenever gloves are
compromised.
Q30. What is droplet precaution used for?
ANSWER For diseases spread by respiratory droplets larger than 5 microns
(e.g., influenza, pertussis).
Q31. What type of respirator is required for airborne precautions?
ANSWER An N95 respirator or higher.
Q32. What is the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act?
ANSWER A U.S. law requiring healthcare employers to use safety-
engineered sharps devices to prevent needlestick injuries.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - COMPREHENSIVE LATEST VERSION
Q1. What is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of
infection?
ANSWER Proper hand hygiene (handwashing with soap and water or using
alcohol-based hand sanitizer).
Q2. How long should you wash your hands with soap and water according
to CDC guidelines?
ANSWER At least 20 seconds.
Q3. What does PPE stand for?
ANSWER Personal Protective Equipment.
Q4. What PPE is required when performing a venipuncture?
ANSWER Gloves are required at minimum; additional PPE (gown, mask, eye
protection) may be required based on precautions.
Q5. What type of isolation precautions are used for patients with airborne
diseases like tuberculosis?
ANSWER Airborne precautions.
Q6. What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard require
phlebotomists to do?
ANSWER Use Standard Precautions, wear PPE, receive hepatitis B
vaccination, receive training, and follow exposure control plans.
Q7. What is the purpose of Standard Precautions?
ANSWER To treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious,
regardless of the patient's known status.
Q8. When should gloves be changed during phlebotomy procedures?
ANSWER Between each patient and when torn or contaminated.
Q9. What is a biohazard symbol used to indicate?
ANSWER That a substance or container holds potentially infectious material.
,Q10. How should sharps be disposed of?
ANSWER In a puncture-resistant, leak-proof sharps container that is properly
labeled.
Q11. What is the maximum fill level for a sharps container?
ANSWER Three-quarters (75%) full.
Q12. What does the term 'nosocomial infection' mean?
ANSWER A healthcare-associated infection acquired in a hospital or clinical
setting.
Q13. What is the correct order for putting on PPE?
ANSWER Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, gloves.
Q14. What is the correct order for removing PPE?
ANSWER Gloves, goggles/face shield, gown, mask/respirator.
Q15. When should hands be washed with soap and water rather than hand
sanitizer?
ANSWER When hands are visibly soiled or when caring for patients with C.
difficile or norovirus.
Q16. What precautions are used for contact diseases such as MRSA?
ANSWER Contact precautions.
Q17. What color bag is used for biohazardous waste?
ANSWER Red or orange bag.
Q18. What is the OSHA requirement regarding hepatitis B vaccination for
phlebotomists?
ANSWER Employers must offer it free of charge within 10 days of
employment.
Q19. After a needlestick injury, what is the first action a phlebotomist
should take?
ANSWER Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water, then report the
incident immediately.
Q20. What is the purpose of an exposure control plan?
ANSWER To outline procedures to reduce employee exposure to bloodborne
pathogens.
Q21. What is engineering control in the context of infection control?
, ANSWER Physical or mechanical devices that isolate or remove hazards
(e.g., safety needles, sharps containers).
Q22. What is a work practice control?
ANSWER Behaviors or procedures that reduce the likelihood of exposure
(e.g., not recapping needles by hand).
Q23. What type of pathogen causes hepatitis C?
ANSWER A blood-borne virus (HCV — Hepatitis C Virus).
Q24. How is HIV primarily transmitted in a healthcare setting?
ANSWER Through contact with infected blood via needlestick injuries or
mucous membrane exposure.
Q25. What is the benefit of using safety-engineered needles?
ANSWER They reduce the risk of accidental needlestick injuries.
Q26. What does 'chain of infection' refer to?
ANSWER The six links that must all be present for an infection to spread:
infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry,
and susceptible host.
Q27. What is the difference between antiseptic and disinfectant?
ANSWER Antiseptics are used on living tissue; disinfectants are used on
inanimate surfaces.
Q28. What antiseptic is most commonly used to cleanse a venipuncture
site?
ANSWER 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Q29. When must a phlebotomist use a new pair of gloves?
ANSWER Before each patient contact and whenever gloves are
compromised.
Q30. What is droplet precaution used for?
ANSWER For diseases spread by respiratory droplets larger than 5 microns
(e.g., influenza, pertussis).
Q31. What type of respirator is required for airborne precautions?
ANSWER An N95 respirator or higher.
Q32. What is the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act?
ANSWER A U.S. law requiring healthcare employers to use safety-
engineered sharps devices to prevent needlestick injuries.
