NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician
(CPT) Exam 2025 – Verified Questions
with 100% Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the first step a phlebotomist should take before performing a venipuncture?
A. Apply the tourniquet
B. Verify the patient’s identity
C. Select the needle gauge
D. Cleanse the puncture site
B. Verify the patient’s identity
Rationale: Verifying patient identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) ensures the
right patient is associated with the specimen, per CLSI H3-A6 standards, preventing
misidentification errors and ensuring patient safety.
Question 2
Which vein is the preferred site for venipuncture in the antecubital fossa?
A. Cephalic
B. Median cubital
C. Basilic
D. Radial
B. Median cubital
Rationale: The median cubital vein is large, well-anchored, and less prone to rolling, making it
the first choice for venipuncture, per CLSI guidelines, to minimize patient discomfort and ensure
successful collection.
Question 3
What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain on during venipuncture?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
A. 1 minute
,Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application (>1 minute) causes hemoconcentration, altering test
results. CLSI standards recommend limiting tourniquet time to ensure specimen integrity.
Question 4
Which needle gauge is most appropriate for an adult venipuncture?
A. 18-gauge
B. 21-gauge
C. 25-gauge
D. 27-gauge
B. 21-gauge
Rationale: A 21-gauge needle balances blood flow and patient comfort for routine venipuncture,
per CLSI guidelines, reducing hemolysis and tissue trauma.
Question 5
A phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming during venipuncture. What should they do first?
A. Continue the draw
B. Remove the needle and apply pressure
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Tighten the tourniquet
B. Remove the needle and apply pressure
Rationale: Immediate needle removal and pressure application prevent further blood leakage,
per patient safety standards, minimizing hematoma expansion and discomfort.
Question 6
Which tube is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?
A. Red top
B. Lavender top
C. Blue top
D. Green top
B. Lavender top
Rationale: Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA, preserving cell morphology for CBC testing, per
CLSI specimen handling standards, ensuring accurate hematology results.
Question 7
What is the correct angle for needle insertion during venipuncture?
A. 10-15 degrees
, B. 15-30 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 90 degrees
B. 15-30 degrees
Rationale: A 15-30 degree angle allows shallow vein entry without piercing through, per CLSI
venipuncture standards, reducing the risk of complications like nerve injury.
Question 8
A patient feels faint during a blood draw. The phlebotomist should:
A. Continue the procedure quickly
B. Have the patient lie down
C. Offer a sugary drink
D. Elevate the patient’s legs
B. Have the patient lie down
Rationale: Lying down prevents falls from vasovagal syncope, a key patient safety measure
during phlebotomy, per CLSI and OSHA guidelines.
Question 9
Which anticoagulant is in a blue-top tube for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride
C. Sodium citrate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium to preserve plasma for PT/INR testing, per CLSI
specimen handling standards, ensuring accurate coagulation results.
Question 10
How should a phlebotomist cleanse the venipuncture site?
A. Circular motion, center outward
B. Back-and-forth motion
C. No cleansing needed
D. Up-and-down motion
A. Circular motion, center outward
(CPT) Exam 2025 – Verified Questions
with 100% Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the first step a phlebotomist should take before performing a venipuncture?
A. Apply the tourniquet
B. Verify the patient’s identity
C. Select the needle gauge
D. Cleanse the puncture site
B. Verify the patient’s identity
Rationale: Verifying patient identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and DOB) ensures the
right patient is associated with the specimen, per CLSI H3-A6 standards, preventing
misidentification errors and ensuring patient safety.
Question 2
Which vein is the preferred site for venipuncture in the antecubital fossa?
A. Cephalic
B. Median cubital
C. Basilic
D. Radial
B. Median cubital
Rationale: The median cubital vein is large, well-anchored, and less prone to rolling, making it
the first choice for venipuncture, per CLSI guidelines, to minimize patient discomfort and ensure
successful collection.
Question 3
What is the maximum time a tourniquet should remain on during venipuncture?
A. 1 minute
B. 2 minutes
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
A. 1 minute
,Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application (>1 minute) causes hemoconcentration, altering test
results. CLSI standards recommend limiting tourniquet time to ensure specimen integrity.
Question 4
Which needle gauge is most appropriate for an adult venipuncture?
A. 18-gauge
B. 21-gauge
C. 25-gauge
D. 27-gauge
B. 21-gauge
Rationale: A 21-gauge needle balances blood flow and patient comfort for routine venipuncture,
per CLSI guidelines, reducing hemolysis and tissue trauma.
Question 5
A phlebotomist notices a hematoma forming during venipuncture. What should they do first?
A. Continue the draw
B. Remove the needle and apply pressure
C. Apply a warm compress
D. Tighten the tourniquet
B. Remove the needle and apply pressure
Rationale: Immediate needle removal and pressure application prevent further blood leakage,
per patient safety standards, minimizing hematoma expansion and discomfort.
Question 6
Which tube is used for a complete blood count (CBC)?
A. Red top
B. Lavender top
C. Blue top
D. Green top
B. Lavender top
Rationale: Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA, preserving cell morphology for CBC testing, per
CLSI specimen handling standards, ensuring accurate hematology results.
Question 7
What is the correct angle for needle insertion during venipuncture?
A. 10-15 degrees
, B. 15-30 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 90 degrees
B. 15-30 degrees
Rationale: A 15-30 degree angle allows shallow vein entry without piercing through, per CLSI
venipuncture standards, reducing the risk of complications like nerve injury.
Question 8
A patient feels faint during a blood draw. The phlebotomist should:
A. Continue the procedure quickly
B. Have the patient lie down
C. Offer a sugary drink
D. Elevate the patient’s legs
B. Have the patient lie down
Rationale: Lying down prevents falls from vasovagal syncope, a key patient safety measure
during phlebotomy, per CLSI and OSHA guidelines.
Question 9
Which anticoagulant is in a blue-top tube for coagulation studies?
A. EDTA
B. Heparin
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride
C. Sodium citrate
Rationale: Sodium citrate binds calcium to preserve plasma for PT/INR testing, per CLSI
specimen handling standards, ensuring accurate coagulation results.
Question 10
How should a phlebotomist cleanse the venipuncture site?
A. Circular motion, center outward
B. Back-and-forth motion
C. No cleansing needed
D. Up-and-down motion
A. Circular motion, center outward
