Phlebotomy Certification Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
Coagulation tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-light blue
Hematology tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-purple/lavender
Serum tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-red/tiger top/gold
A health care-acquired infections are called? - Correct answer-Nosocomial
infections
A inherited condition that is caused by the body's inability to metabolize
phenylalanine (protein) is called: - Correct answer-PKU
A lavender stoppered evacuated tube must be redrawn because of clots in the tube.
What collection error causes this? - Correct answer-insufficient mixing of additive
with specimen
A patient has undergone a left radical mastectomy. What site can not be used for
venipuncture until the patient's physician is consulted? - Correct answer-left arm
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,A patient suffers a transfusion reaction. What may this condition cause in the
patient's specimen? - Correct answer-hemolysis
A phlebotomist is to collect a specimen for an APTT and prothrombin time from a
patient. According to the NCCLS guidelines, what tube stopper color should the
phlebotomist collect FIRST? - Correct answer-red
A phlebotomist enters a patient's room at 5:30 am, but the patient is asleep. The
phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-gently wake the patient and proceed
A phlebotomist is about to collect a blood specimen from a patient in ICU, but the
patient is unconscious. The phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-proceed as
though the patient were conscious
After performing a routine venipuncture, the phlebotomist noticed that the blood in
the evacuated tube was bright cherry red. What vessel did the phlebotomist
puncture? - Correct answer-artery
After puncturing a finger during a skin puncture procedure, what is the next step? -
Correct answer-Wipe away the first drop with gauze.
Agranulocytes that function in antibody production are called: - Correct answer-
lymphocytes
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,An evacuated tube contains clot activator and serum separator gel. What color is
the Hemogard TM closure? - Correct answer-gold
An example of a specimen that requires protection from light is: - Correct answer-
Billirubin, beta-carotene and porphyrins.
Anti diuretic hormone (ADH) requires which of the following blood collection
tubes for proper test results? - Correct answer-purple
At least how long should a warmer be applied to a skin puncture site prior to
making a skin puncture? - Correct answer-3 minutes
Before starting a bleeding time test, the phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-ask
the patient if he or she has taken any medications
Bleeding time is used to access what? - Correct answer-platelet function, blood
vessel integrity
Bleeding time procedures are usually ordered: - Correct answer-pre-surgically
Blood collection for neonatal screening to detect metabolic and genetic
abnormalities usually occurs: - Correct answer-by collecting from the lateral
plantar surface of the heel.
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, Blood enters the right side of the heart from what blood vessel? - Correct answer-
superior vena cava
Blood enters the left side of the heart from what blood vessel? - Correct answer-
pulmonary vein
Blood exits the heart from the left ventricle through what valve? - Correct answer-
aortic
Blood exits the heart from the right atrium through what valve? - Correct answer-
tricuspid valve
Blood from a routine venipuncture should have what color? - Correct answer-dark
red
Circulating blood cells normally include which of the following: - Correct answer-
RBCs, WBCs, platelets.
Deoxygenated blood is found in which blood vessels? - Correct answer-veins
Describe what a phlebotomist should do when using a winged infusion (butterfly)
system to collect blood for a single coagulation test? - Correct answer-The
phlebotomist should collect at least one other tube (and discard) prior to collecting
a sodium citrate tube.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Questions and Answers
Coagulation tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-light blue
Hematology tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-purple/lavender
Serum tubes have which color stopper? - Correct answer-red/tiger top/gold
A health care-acquired infections are called? - Correct answer-Nosocomial
infections
A inherited condition that is caused by the body's inability to metabolize
phenylalanine (protein) is called: - Correct answer-PKU
A lavender stoppered evacuated tube must be redrawn because of clots in the tube.
What collection error causes this? - Correct answer-insufficient mixing of additive
with specimen
A patient has undergone a left radical mastectomy. What site can not be used for
venipuncture until the patient's physician is consulted? - Correct answer-left arm
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,A patient suffers a transfusion reaction. What may this condition cause in the
patient's specimen? - Correct answer-hemolysis
A phlebotomist is to collect a specimen for an APTT and prothrombin time from a
patient. According to the NCCLS guidelines, what tube stopper color should the
phlebotomist collect FIRST? - Correct answer-red
A phlebotomist enters a patient's room at 5:30 am, but the patient is asleep. The
phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-gently wake the patient and proceed
A phlebotomist is about to collect a blood specimen from a patient in ICU, but the
patient is unconscious. The phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-proceed as
though the patient were conscious
After performing a routine venipuncture, the phlebotomist noticed that the blood in
the evacuated tube was bright cherry red. What vessel did the phlebotomist
puncture? - Correct answer-artery
After puncturing a finger during a skin puncture procedure, what is the next step? -
Correct answer-Wipe away the first drop with gauze.
Agranulocytes that function in antibody production are called: - Correct answer-
lymphocytes
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,An evacuated tube contains clot activator and serum separator gel. What color is
the Hemogard TM closure? - Correct answer-gold
An example of a specimen that requires protection from light is: - Correct answer-
Billirubin, beta-carotene and porphyrins.
Anti diuretic hormone (ADH) requires which of the following blood collection
tubes for proper test results? - Correct answer-purple
At least how long should a warmer be applied to a skin puncture site prior to
making a skin puncture? - Correct answer-3 minutes
Before starting a bleeding time test, the phlebotomist should: - Correct answer-ask
the patient if he or she has taken any medications
Bleeding time is used to access what? - Correct answer-platelet function, blood
vessel integrity
Bleeding time procedures are usually ordered: - Correct answer-pre-surgically
Blood collection for neonatal screening to detect metabolic and genetic
abnormalities usually occurs: - Correct answer-by collecting from the lateral
plantar surface of the heel.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Blood enters the right side of the heart from what blood vessel? - Correct answer-
superior vena cava
Blood enters the left side of the heart from what blood vessel? - Correct answer-
pulmonary vein
Blood exits the heart from the left ventricle through what valve? - Correct answer-
aortic
Blood exits the heart from the right atrium through what valve? - Correct answer-
tricuspid valve
Blood from a routine venipuncture should have what color? - Correct answer-dark
red
Circulating blood cells normally include which of the following: - Correct answer-
RBCs, WBCs, platelets.
Deoxygenated blood is found in which blood vessels? - Correct answer-veins
Describe what a phlebotomist should do when using a winged infusion (butterfly)
system to collect blood for a single coagulation test? - Correct answer-The
phlebotomist should collect at least one other tube (and discard) prior to collecting
a sodium citrate tube.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4