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NHA CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN (CPT)
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1-50)
1. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture. According to
OSHA regulations, which of the following is the FIRST step the technician should
take before beginning the procedure?
A. Select the appropriate needle size.
B. Perform hand hygiene.
C. Don gloves.
D. Apply the tourniquet.
Answer: B. Rationale: According to OSHA guidelines and standard precautions, hand
hygiene must be performed before and after every patient encounter. This is the most
fundamental infection control measure to prevent the spread of pathogens. Gloves (C)
should be donned after hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should be performed before
assembling equipment (A) or applying the tourniquet (D). .
2. A phlebotomy technician accidentally sustains a needlestick injury while
disposing of a used needle. What is the FIRST action the technician should take?
A. Report the incident to the supervisor.
B. Wash the site with soap and water.
C. Complete an incident report.
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D. Have the source patient tested.
Answer: B. Rationale: The immediate first action following a needlestick injury is to
wash the exposed area with soap and water to reduce the risk of pathogen
transmission. After washing, the incident should be reported immediately to the
supervisor (A) and an incident report completed (C). The source patient may be tested
(D) as part of the post-exposure follow-up, but washing is the priority. .
3. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a patient
in an isolation room for airborne precautions. Which of the following personal
protective equipment (PPE) is required for entry?
A. Gloves and a gown.
B. Gloves, gown, and surgical mask.
C. Gloves, gown, and N95 respirator.
D. Gloves, gown, face shield, and surgical mask.
Answer: C. Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator (or higher-level
respirator) to filter airborne droplet nuclei. Gloves and a gown are also required for
standard and transmission-based precautions. A surgical mask (B, D) does not provide
adequate filtration for airborne particles. .
4. A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture and notices that the
patient's arm is red and swollen around the puncture site. The patient reports pain.
Which of the following complications is the patient most likely experiencing?
A. Hematoma.
B. Hemolysis.
C. Petechiae.
D. Thrombophlebitis.
Answer: A. Rationale: A hematoma is a collection of blood in the tissues surrounding
the puncture site, caused by blood leaking from the vein. Signs include swelling,
redness, and pain. Hemolysis (B) is the breakdown of red blood cells in the specimen.
Petechiae (C) are small red spots caused by capillary bleeding. Thrombophlebitis (D) is
inflammation of a vein with clot formation, which may develop later. .
5. According to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which of the following is
a requirement for healthcare employers?
A. Provide hepatitis B vaccination to all employees at no cost.
B. Maintain a sharps injury log.
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C. Implement engineering controls (e.g., safety devices).
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers
to provide hepatitis B vaccination to employees with occupational exposure at no cost
(A), maintain a sharps injury log (B), and use engineering controls such as safety-
engineered needles (C). All of these are requirements for employer compliance. .
6. A phlebotomy technician is cleaning a blood spill on a countertop. Which of the
following is the correct procedure for cleaning a blood spill?
A. Wipe the spill with a dry cloth.
B. Spray with water and wipe with a paper towel.
C. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant and allow appropriate contact time.
D. Use soap and water only.
Answer: C. Rationale: Blood spills must be cleaned using an EPA-approved disinfectant
(such as a 1:10 dilution of bleach) and allowed to sit for the appropriate contact time to
ensure effective disinfection. Wiping with a dry cloth (A), water (B), or soap and water
(D) does not adequately disinfect the area. .
7. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to dispose of a used needle. Which of the
following is the correct method for disposal?
A. Recap the needle and place it in the regular trash.
B. Place the needle in a puncture-proof sharps container.
C. Remove the needle from the holder and place it in the biohazard bag.
D. Flush the needle down the toilet.
Answer: B. Rationale: Used needles should be placed directly into a puncture-proof
sharps container without recapping. Recapping (A) increases the risk of needlestick
injuries. Biohazard bags (C) are not puncture-proof. Flushing needles (D) is not
appropriate and creates environmental hazards. .
8. A phlebotomy technician observes a coworker who is not wearing gloves during a
venipuncture. What is the MOST appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior.
B. Report the coworker to the supervisor immediately.
C. Politely remind the coworker of the policy.
D. Document the incident for later.
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Answer: C. Rationale: The technician should first politely remind the coworker of the
safety policy and the importance of wearing gloves for protection. If the behavior
continues, it should be reported to the supervisor (B). Ignoring the behavior (A) does not
address the safety risk. .
9. According to HIPAA regulations, which of the following is considered protected
health information (PHI)?
A. Patient's name and date of birth.
B. Patient's medical diagnosis.
C. Patient's Social Security number.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. Rationale: PHI includes any information that can be used to identify a
patient and relates to their health status, treatment, or payment. This includes names,
dates of birth, diagnoses, and Social Security numbers. All of the above are PHI. .
10. A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture and notices that the
patient is becoming diaphoretic and pale. What is the most likely cause of these
symptoms?
A. Hematoma formation.
B. Hemolysis.
C. Syncope (fainting).
D. Nerve damage.
Answer: C. Rationale: Syncope (fainting) is a common vasovagal response to
venipuncture. Signs include diaphoresis (sweating), pallor, and dizziness. The
technician should immediately stop the procedure, lower the patient's head, and
monitor the patient. Hematoma (A) would cause swelling at the site. Hemolysis (B) is
not associated with these symptoms. Nerve damage (D) would cause pain or tingling. .
11. A phlebotomy technician is performing quality control (QC) on a CLIA-waived
glucose meter. Which of the following is the correct QC procedure?
A. Run a control solution and compare to the manufacturer's range.
B. Run a patient sample and compare to a laboratory result.
C. Check the expiration date of the test strips only.
D. Clean the meter with an alcohol wipe.
NHA CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN (CPT)
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) EXAM — 250 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1-50)
1. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture. According to
OSHA regulations, which of the following is the FIRST step the technician should
take before beginning the procedure?
A. Select the appropriate needle size.
B. Perform hand hygiene.
C. Don gloves.
D. Apply the tourniquet.
Answer: B. Rationale: According to OSHA guidelines and standard precautions, hand
hygiene must be performed before and after every patient encounter. This is the most
fundamental infection control measure to prevent the spread of pathogens. Gloves (C)
should be donned after hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should be performed before
assembling equipment (A) or applying the tourniquet (D). .
2. A phlebotomy technician accidentally sustains a needlestick injury while
disposing of a used needle. What is the FIRST action the technician should take?
A. Report the incident to the supervisor.
B. Wash the site with soap and water.
C. Complete an incident report.
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D. Have the source patient tested.
Answer: B. Rationale: The immediate first action following a needlestick injury is to
wash the exposed area with soap and water to reduce the risk of pathogen
transmission. After washing, the incident should be reported immediately to the
supervisor (A) and an incident report completed (C). The source patient may be tested
(D) as part of the post-exposure follow-up, but washing is the priority. .
3. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a patient
in an isolation room for airborne precautions. Which of the following personal
protective equipment (PPE) is required for entry?
A. Gloves and a gown.
B. Gloves, gown, and surgical mask.
C. Gloves, gown, and N95 respirator.
D. Gloves, gown, face shield, and surgical mask.
Answer: C. Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator (or higher-level
respirator) to filter airborne droplet nuclei. Gloves and a gown are also required for
standard and transmission-based precautions. A surgical mask (B, D) does not provide
adequate filtration for airborne particles. .
4. A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture and notices that the
patient's arm is red and swollen around the puncture site. The patient reports pain.
Which of the following complications is the patient most likely experiencing?
A. Hematoma.
B. Hemolysis.
C. Petechiae.
D. Thrombophlebitis.
Answer: A. Rationale: A hematoma is a collection of blood in the tissues surrounding
the puncture site, caused by blood leaking from the vein. Signs include swelling,
redness, and pain. Hemolysis (B) is the breakdown of red blood cells in the specimen.
Petechiae (C) are small red spots caused by capillary bleeding. Thrombophlebitis (D) is
inflammation of a vein with clot formation, which may develop later. .
5. According to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which of the following is
a requirement for healthcare employers?
A. Provide hepatitis B vaccination to all employees at no cost.
B. Maintain a sharps injury log.
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C. Implement engineering controls (e.g., safety devices).
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers
to provide hepatitis B vaccination to employees with occupational exposure at no cost
(A), maintain a sharps injury log (B), and use engineering controls such as safety-
engineered needles (C). All of these are requirements for employer compliance. .
6. A phlebotomy technician is cleaning a blood spill on a countertop. Which of the
following is the correct procedure for cleaning a blood spill?
A. Wipe the spill with a dry cloth.
B. Spray with water and wipe with a paper towel.
C. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant and allow appropriate contact time.
D. Use soap and water only.
Answer: C. Rationale: Blood spills must be cleaned using an EPA-approved disinfectant
(such as a 1:10 dilution of bleach) and allowed to sit for the appropriate contact time to
ensure effective disinfection. Wiping with a dry cloth (A), water (B), or soap and water
(D) does not adequately disinfect the area. .
7. A phlebotomy technician is preparing to dispose of a used needle. Which of the
following is the correct method for disposal?
A. Recap the needle and place it in the regular trash.
B. Place the needle in a puncture-proof sharps container.
C. Remove the needle from the holder and place it in the biohazard bag.
D. Flush the needle down the toilet.
Answer: B. Rationale: Used needles should be placed directly into a puncture-proof
sharps container without recapping. Recapping (A) increases the risk of needlestick
injuries. Biohazard bags (C) are not puncture-proof. Flushing needles (D) is not
appropriate and creates environmental hazards. .
8. A phlebotomy technician observes a coworker who is not wearing gloves during a
venipuncture. What is the MOST appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior.
B. Report the coworker to the supervisor immediately.
C. Politely remind the coworker of the policy.
D. Document the incident for later.
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Answer: C. Rationale: The technician should first politely remind the coworker of the
safety policy and the importance of wearing gloves for protection. If the behavior
continues, it should be reported to the supervisor (B). Ignoring the behavior (A) does not
address the safety risk. .
9. According to HIPAA regulations, which of the following is considered protected
health information (PHI)?
A. Patient's name and date of birth.
B. Patient's medical diagnosis.
C. Patient's Social Security number.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. Rationale: PHI includes any information that can be used to identify a
patient and relates to their health status, treatment, or payment. This includes names,
dates of birth, diagnoses, and Social Security numbers. All of the above are PHI. .
10. A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture and notices that the
patient is becoming diaphoretic and pale. What is the most likely cause of these
symptoms?
A. Hematoma formation.
B. Hemolysis.
C. Syncope (fainting).
D. Nerve damage.
Answer: C. Rationale: Syncope (fainting) is a common vasovagal response to
venipuncture. Signs include diaphoresis (sweating), pallor, and dizziness. The
technician should immediately stop the procedure, lower the patient's head, and
monitor the patient. Hematoma (A) would cause swelling at the site. Hemolysis (B) is
not associated with these symptoms. Nerve damage (D) would cause pain or tingling. .
11. A phlebotomy technician is performing quality control (QC) on a CLIA-waived
glucose meter. Which of the following is the correct QC procedure?
A. Run a control solution and compare to the manufacturer's range.
B. Run a patient sample and compare to a laboratory result.
C. Check the expiration date of the test strips only.
D. Clean the meter with an alcohol wipe.
