1
AMCA PHLEBOTOMY EXAM 2025/2026
Actual Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales Comprehensive -
Question Practice Exam
Question 1
A phlebotomist enters a patient's room to perform a venipuncture and finds that the
patient's identification armband is missing. What is the correct action?
A. Ask the patient's roommate to confirm the identity
B. Draw the blood since the patient is in the correct room
C. Wait to draw the specimen until a new armband has been applied and the
patient's identity can be verified according to facility policy
D. Proceed with the draw if the requisition matches the room number
Answer: C. Wait to draw the specimen until a new armband has been applied
and the patient's identity can be verified according to facility policy
RATIONALE: Positive patient identification is critical and must be done before
any specimen collection. If the armband is missing and the patient cannot be
verified, the phlebotomist must not proceed. A new armband must be placed after
proper identification by another staff member, per facility policy. Options A and D
are unreliable; B disregards safety protocols.
Question 2
According to CLSI guidelines, which of the following tubes should be drawn first
for venous blood collection?
A. Lavender top (EDTA) tube
B. Light blue top (sodium citrate) tube
C. Red top tube (no additive)
D. Blood culture bottles (or yellow top SPS tube)
Answer: D. Blood culture bottles (or yellow top SPS tube)
pg. 1
,2
RATIONALE: To minimize contamination with additives, CLSI guidelines
specify that blood culture bottles (sterile) should be collected first, followed by
light blue top (sodium citrate) tubes, then serum tubes, and finally EDTA and other
additive tubes. If blood cultures are not being collected, the first tube drawn is the
light blue top tube.
Question 3
A phlebotomist is preparing to perform a venipuncture on an infant with fragile
veins. Which of the following is the best technique to minimize vein collapse?
A. Use a large gauge needle (18G)
B. Use a small gauge needle (23G or 25G)
C. Apply the tourniquet for 3 minutes
D. Use a butterfly needle with a syringe
Answer: B. Use a small gauge needle (23G or 25G)
RATIONALE: Using a smaller gauge needle (23G or 25G) minimizes trauma to
fragile veins and reduces the risk of vein collapse. Infant veins are delicate and
require gentle technique. The tourniquet should not be left on for more than 1
minute to prevent hemoconcentration and hemolysis.
Question 4
A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves with a used needle. What is the
FIRST action they should take?
A. Continue working and report it at the end of the shift
B. Immediately wash the area with soap and water and report the incident
C. Squeeze the wound to encourage bleeding
D. Apply a bandage and continue working
Answer: B. Immediately wash the area with soap and water and report the
incident
RATIONALE: Needlestick injuries require immediate action: wash the area with
soap and water, report the incident to the supervisor, and follow the facility's
exposure control plan. Immediate reporting allows for timely post-exposure
pg. 2
,3
prophylaxis if indicated. Squeezing the wound is not recommended as it may
increase tissue damage.
Question 5
What is the proper method for disposing of a used needle?
A. Recap the needle and place it in a regular trash can
B. Place the entire needle and syringe in an appropriate sharps container
C. Remove the needle from the syringe and discard separately
D. Bend the needle before discarding
Answer: B. Place the entire needle and syringe in an appropriate sharps
container
RATIONALE: Used needles and syringes should be placed immediately into an
approved sharps container without recapping. The entire assembly is placed in the
container to minimize handling and reduce the risk of needlestick injuries. Never
recap, bend, or break needles.
Question 6
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all
healthcare workers receive training on:
A. Patient rights
B. Bloodborne pathogens and Standard Precautions
C. Phlebotomy techniques
D. Insurance billing
Answer: B. Bloodborne pathogens and Standard Precautions
RATIONALE: OSHA mandates training on bloodborne pathogens and Standard
Precautions to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure. This
includes proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of sharps, and
appropriate disposal of biohazardous waste.
Question 7
pg. 3
, 4
Which of the following is an appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) item
for a phlebotomist?
A. Face mask only
B. Non-latex gloves
C. Sterile gown
D. Steel-toed shoes
Answer: B. Non-latex gloves
RATIONALE: Gloves are essential PPE for phlebotomy procedures to protect
against bloodborne pathogens. Non-latex gloves (nitrile or vinyl) are preferred due
to latex allergy concerns. Other PPE such as face masks, eye protection, and gowns
may be used as needed based on the procedure and risk assessment.
Question 8
How long should a phlebotomist wash their hands with antimicrobial soap before a
venipuncture?
A. 5 seconds
B. 15-30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Answer: B. 15-30 seconds
RATIONALE: Hand hygiene should be performed for 15-30 seconds using
antimicrobial soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Proper
handwashing includes rubbing all surfaces of the hands and between fingers. Hand
hygiene should be performed before and after each patient contact.
Question 9
A phlebotomist notices blood splatter on their face during a procedure. What
should they do immediately?
A. Continue the procedure
B. Remove the needle, apply pressure, and seek emergency evaluation
pg. 4
AMCA PHLEBOTOMY EXAM 2025/2026
Actual Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales Comprehensive -
Question Practice Exam
Question 1
A phlebotomist enters a patient's room to perform a venipuncture and finds that the
patient's identification armband is missing. What is the correct action?
A. Ask the patient's roommate to confirm the identity
B. Draw the blood since the patient is in the correct room
C. Wait to draw the specimen until a new armband has been applied and the
patient's identity can be verified according to facility policy
D. Proceed with the draw if the requisition matches the room number
Answer: C. Wait to draw the specimen until a new armband has been applied
and the patient's identity can be verified according to facility policy
RATIONALE: Positive patient identification is critical and must be done before
any specimen collection. If the armband is missing and the patient cannot be
verified, the phlebotomist must not proceed. A new armband must be placed after
proper identification by another staff member, per facility policy. Options A and D
are unreliable; B disregards safety protocols.
Question 2
According to CLSI guidelines, which of the following tubes should be drawn first
for venous blood collection?
A. Lavender top (EDTA) tube
B. Light blue top (sodium citrate) tube
C. Red top tube (no additive)
D. Blood culture bottles (or yellow top SPS tube)
Answer: D. Blood culture bottles (or yellow top SPS tube)
pg. 1
,2
RATIONALE: To minimize contamination with additives, CLSI guidelines
specify that blood culture bottles (sterile) should be collected first, followed by
light blue top (sodium citrate) tubes, then serum tubes, and finally EDTA and other
additive tubes. If blood cultures are not being collected, the first tube drawn is the
light blue top tube.
Question 3
A phlebotomist is preparing to perform a venipuncture on an infant with fragile
veins. Which of the following is the best technique to minimize vein collapse?
A. Use a large gauge needle (18G)
B. Use a small gauge needle (23G or 25G)
C. Apply the tourniquet for 3 minutes
D. Use a butterfly needle with a syringe
Answer: B. Use a small gauge needle (23G or 25G)
RATIONALE: Using a smaller gauge needle (23G or 25G) minimizes trauma to
fragile veins and reduces the risk of vein collapse. Infant veins are delicate and
require gentle technique. The tourniquet should not be left on for more than 1
minute to prevent hemoconcentration and hemolysis.
Question 4
A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves with a used needle. What is the
FIRST action they should take?
A. Continue working and report it at the end of the shift
B. Immediately wash the area with soap and water and report the incident
C. Squeeze the wound to encourage bleeding
D. Apply a bandage and continue working
Answer: B. Immediately wash the area with soap and water and report the
incident
RATIONALE: Needlestick injuries require immediate action: wash the area with
soap and water, report the incident to the supervisor, and follow the facility's
exposure control plan. Immediate reporting allows for timely post-exposure
pg. 2
,3
prophylaxis if indicated. Squeezing the wound is not recommended as it may
increase tissue damage.
Question 5
What is the proper method for disposing of a used needle?
A. Recap the needle and place it in a regular trash can
B. Place the entire needle and syringe in an appropriate sharps container
C. Remove the needle from the syringe and discard separately
D. Bend the needle before discarding
Answer: B. Place the entire needle and syringe in an appropriate sharps
container
RATIONALE: Used needles and syringes should be placed immediately into an
approved sharps container without recapping. The entire assembly is placed in the
container to minimize handling and reduce the risk of needlestick injuries. Never
recap, bend, or break needles.
Question 6
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all
healthcare workers receive training on:
A. Patient rights
B. Bloodborne pathogens and Standard Precautions
C. Phlebotomy techniques
D. Insurance billing
Answer: B. Bloodborne pathogens and Standard Precautions
RATIONALE: OSHA mandates training on bloodborne pathogens and Standard
Precautions to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposure. This
includes proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of sharps, and
appropriate disposal of biohazardous waste.
Question 7
pg. 3
, 4
Which of the following is an appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) item
for a phlebotomist?
A. Face mask only
B. Non-latex gloves
C. Sterile gown
D. Steel-toed shoes
Answer: B. Non-latex gloves
RATIONALE: Gloves are essential PPE for phlebotomy procedures to protect
against bloodborne pathogens. Non-latex gloves (nitrile or vinyl) are preferred due
to latex allergy concerns. Other PPE such as face masks, eye protection, and gowns
may be used as needed based on the procedure and risk assessment.
Question 8
How long should a phlebotomist wash their hands with antimicrobial soap before a
venipuncture?
A. 5 seconds
B. 15-30 seconds
C. 1 minute
D. 2 minutes
Answer: B. 15-30 seconds
RATIONALE: Hand hygiene should be performed for 15-30 seconds using
antimicrobial soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Proper
handwashing includes rubbing all surfaces of the hands and between fingers. Hand
hygiene should be performed before and after each patient contact.
Question 9
A phlebotomist notices blood splatter on their face during a procedure. What
should they do immediately?
A. Continue the procedure
B. Remove the needle, apply pressure, and seek emergency evaluation
pg. 4
