NPS Phlebotomy Exam Test Bank 2026/2027
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive clinical and technical knowledge required for
success on the NPS Phlebotomy Certification Exam. It is designed to evaluate the candidate's
understanding of venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures, blood collection equipment and
additives, safety protocols, infection control, patient care, and laboratory operations. Questions are
structured to assess recall of key concepts, application of procedural knowledge to clinical scenarios,
and analysis of complex patient situations. This authentic question bank represents the real exams used
in the course and serves as a comprehensive resource for phlebotomy candidates, medical assistants,
and allied health professionals demonstrating mastery of phlebotomy content for the 2026/2027
academic year.
SECTION 1: Infection Control & Standard Precautions
(Questions 1–8)
Question 1
A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient with hepatitis C. According to Standard
Precautions, which statement best describes the required approach?
A. Wear a gown and N95 respirator for all contact
B. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE
C. Use only gloves since hepatitis C is not transmitted through blood
D. No special precautions are needed for hepatitis C
B. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE [CORRECT]
The best answer is to treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE.
Standard Precautions apply to ALL patients regardless of their diagnosis—every blood and body fluid is
treated as potentially infectious. This includes wearing gloves for all venipunctures, and adding gowns,
,masks, or eye protection when splashes are anticipated. Hepatitis C is absolutely bloodborne, so gloves
are mandatory. This aligns with NPS standards and CLSI guidelines for infection control.
Correct Answer: B
Question 2
A phlebotomist completes a blood draw and needs to remove their PPE. Which is the correct sequence
for doffing (removing) PPE?
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask or face shield
B. Mask first, then gloves, then gown
C. Gown first, then gloves, then mask
D. All PPE can be removed simultaneously
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask or face shield [CORRECT]
This choice is correct because the proper doffing sequence is gloves first (since they're most
contaminated), then gown (turning it inside out to contain contaminants), then mask or face shield last
(since these protect your face and should be removed carefully to avoid self-contamination). This
sequence minimizes the risk of transferring pathogens to your skin or mucous membranes. This matches
standard phlebotomy practice for PPE removal.
Correct Answer: A
Question 3
A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves with a used needle after completing a blood draw.
According to OSHA standards, what is the first action they should take?
A. Immediately wash the area with soap and water
B. Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
C. Document the incident in the patient's chart
D. Wait to see if symptoms develop before reporting
A. Immediately wash the area with soap and water [CORRECT]
The best answer is to immediately wash the area with soap and water. The first step after any
needlestick or sharps injury is to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water—this reduces the
viral load and risk of infection. After cleaning, the exposure must be reported immediately to the
supervisor, the source patient should be tested (with consent), and the exposed employee should
receive post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. Delaying reporting or waiting for symptoms is
dangerous. This aligns with OSHA safety standards for bloodborne pathogen exposure.
, Correct Answer: A
Question 4
A phlebotomist is performing hand hygiene before a blood draw. According to CDC guidelines, how long
should they lather and rub their hands with soap?
A. 5–10 seconds
B. At least 20 seconds
C. 30–45 seconds
D. 1 minute
B. At least 20 seconds [CORRECT]
This choice is correct because CDC hand hygiene guidelines recommend lathering and rubbing all
surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds—about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
This ensures adequate removal of transient flora and organic material. Rinsing should be done with
fingers pointed downward to prevent water from running back onto the wrists and forearms. This
matches standard infection control practice for hand hygiene.
Correct Answer: B
Question 5
A phlebotomist is drawing blood from a patient with suspected tuberculosis. Which PPE is most
appropriate for this encounter?
A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and a surgical mask
C. Gloves, gown, and N95 respirator
D. Gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection
D. Gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection [CORRECT]
The best answer is gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection. Tuberculosis is transmitted via
airborne droplet nuclei, so an N95 respirator (not a surgical mask) is required for airborne precautions.
Gloves protect against blood exposure, a gown protects clothing, and eye protection prevents ocular
exposure to respiratory droplets. This is more stringent than Standard Precautions alone and reflects
transmission-based precautions. This aligns with NPS standards and OSHA safety protocols.
Correct Answer: D
Complete Exam-Style Questions | 100% Verified
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive clinical and technical knowledge required for
success on the NPS Phlebotomy Certification Exam. It is designed to evaluate the candidate's
understanding of venipuncture and capillary puncture procedures, blood collection equipment and
additives, safety protocols, infection control, patient care, and laboratory operations. Questions are
structured to assess recall of key concepts, application of procedural knowledge to clinical scenarios,
and analysis of complex patient situations. This authentic question bank represents the real exams used
in the course and serves as a comprehensive resource for phlebotomy candidates, medical assistants,
and allied health professionals demonstrating mastery of phlebotomy content for the 2026/2027
academic year.
SECTION 1: Infection Control & Standard Precautions
(Questions 1–8)
Question 1
A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient with hepatitis C. According to Standard
Precautions, which statement best describes the required approach?
A. Wear a gown and N95 respirator for all contact
B. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE
C. Use only gloves since hepatitis C is not transmitted through blood
D. No special precautions are needed for hepatitis C
B. Treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE [CORRECT]
The best answer is to treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, using appropriate PPE.
Standard Precautions apply to ALL patients regardless of their diagnosis—every blood and body fluid is
treated as potentially infectious. This includes wearing gloves for all venipunctures, and adding gowns,
,masks, or eye protection when splashes are anticipated. Hepatitis C is absolutely bloodborne, so gloves
are mandatory. This aligns with NPS standards and CLSI guidelines for infection control.
Correct Answer: B
Question 2
A phlebotomist completes a blood draw and needs to remove their PPE. Which is the correct sequence
for doffing (removing) PPE?
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask or face shield
B. Mask first, then gloves, then gown
C. Gown first, then gloves, then mask
D. All PPE can be removed simultaneously
A. Gloves first, then gown, then mask or face shield [CORRECT]
This choice is correct because the proper doffing sequence is gloves first (since they're most
contaminated), then gown (turning it inside out to contain contaminants), then mask or face shield last
(since these protect your face and should be removed carefully to avoid self-contamination). This
sequence minimizes the risk of transferring pathogens to your skin or mucous membranes. This matches
standard phlebotomy practice for PPE removal.
Correct Answer: A
Question 3
A phlebotomist accidentally sticks themselves with a used needle after completing a blood draw.
According to OSHA standards, what is the first action they should take?
A. Immediately wash the area with soap and water
B. Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
C. Document the incident in the patient's chart
D. Wait to see if symptoms develop before reporting
A. Immediately wash the area with soap and water [CORRECT]
The best answer is to immediately wash the area with soap and water. The first step after any
needlestick or sharps injury is to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water—this reduces the
viral load and risk of infection. After cleaning, the exposure must be reported immediately to the
supervisor, the source patient should be tested (with consent), and the exposed employee should
receive post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. Delaying reporting or waiting for symptoms is
dangerous. This aligns with OSHA safety standards for bloodborne pathogen exposure.
, Correct Answer: A
Question 4
A phlebotomist is performing hand hygiene before a blood draw. According to CDC guidelines, how long
should they lather and rub their hands with soap?
A. 5–10 seconds
B. At least 20 seconds
C. 30–45 seconds
D. 1 minute
B. At least 20 seconds [CORRECT]
This choice is correct because CDC hand hygiene guidelines recommend lathering and rubbing all
surfaces of the hands for at least 20 seconds—about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.
This ensures adequate removal of transient flora and organic material. Rinsing should be done with
fingers pointed downward to prevent water from running back onto the wrists and forearms. This
matches standard infection control practice for hand hygiene.
Correct Answer: B
Question 5
A phlebotomist is drawing blood from a patient with suspected tuberculosis. Which PPE is most
appropriate for this encounter?
A. Gloves only
B. Gloves and a surgical mask
C. Gloves, gown, and N95 respirator
D. Gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection
D. Gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection [CORRECT]
The best answer is gloves, gown, N95 respirator, and eye protection. Tuberculosis is transmitted via
airborne droplet nuclei, so an N95 respirator (not a surgical mask) is required for airborne precautions.
Gloves protect against blood exposure, a gown protects clothing, and eye protection prevents ocular
exposure to respiratory droplets. This is more stringent than Standard Precautions alone and reflects
transmission-based precautions. This aligns with NPS standards and OSHA safety protocols.
Correct Answer: D
