MASSACHUSETTS PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A 2026 |INSTANT
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1. What is the primary purpose of phlebotomy?
A. To administer medication
B. To collect blood samples for testing
C. To measure blood pressure
D. To analyze blood results
Rationale: Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for safely
collecting blood specimens for laboratory analysis.
Correct Answer: B. To collect blood samples for testing
2. Which vein is most commonly used for routine
venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
Rationale: The median cubital vein is large, stable, and has a
lower risk of nerve injury.
Correct Answer: C. Median cubital vein
,3. The tourniquet should generally remain on the patient’s
arm for no longer than:
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 3 minutes
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause
hemoconcentration and inaccurate test results.
Correct Answer: B. 1 minute
4. Which additive is found in lavender-top blood collection
tubes?
A. Heparin
B. EDTA
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride
Rationale: Lavender tubes contain EDTA, which prevents
clotting and is commonly used for hematology tests.
Correct Answer: B. EDTA
5. Which organization establishes infection control guidelines
used in healthcare settings?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
,C. CDC
D. WHO
Rationale: The CDC provides widely used infection control
guidelines in healthcare.
Correct Answer: C. CDC
6. The order of draw is important primarily to:
A. Reduce patient pain
B. Prevent cross-contamination of additives
C. Save time during collection
D. Improve vein visibility
Rationale: Incorrect order may contaminate specimens with
additives from other tubes.
Correct Answer: B. Prevent cross-contamination of additives
7. Which color tube is typically used for coagulation tests such
as PT and aPTT?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Gray
Rationale: Light blue tubes contain sodium citrate, used for
coagulation studies.
Correct Answer: B. Blue
, 8. What is the most important step before performing
venipuncture?
A. Putting on gloves
B. Identifying the patient correctly
C. Labeling tubes
D. Applying a tourniquet
Rationale: Correct patient identification prevents serious
medical errors.
Correct Answer: B. Identifying the patient correctly
9. The puncture site should be cleaned with which antiseptic
for routine venipuncture?
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Alcohol (70% isopropyl)
C. Saline
D. Betadine
Rationale: Alcohol is standard for routine blood collection
unless a blood culture is ordered.
Correct Answer: B. Alcohol (70% isopropyl)
10. What complication occurs when blood leaks into
surrounding tissue during collection?
A. Hemolysis
B. Thrombosis
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A 2026 |INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of phlebotomy?
A. To administer medication
B. To collect blood samples for testing
C. To measure blood pressure
D. To analyze blood results
Rationale: Phlebotomy technicians are responsible for safely
collecting blood specimens for laboratory analysis.
Correct Answer: B. To collect blood samples for testing
2. Which vein is most commonly used for routine
venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
Rationale: The median cubital vein is large, stable, and has a
lower risk of nerve injury.
Correct Answer: C. Median cubital vein
,3. The tourniquet should generally remain on the patient’s
arm for no longer than:
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutes
D. 3 minutes
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause
hemoconcentration and inaccurate test results.
Correct Answer: B. 1 minute
4. Which additive is found in lavender-top blood collection
tubes?
A. Heparin
B. EDTA
C. Sodium citrate
D. Sodium fluoride
Rationale: Lavender tubes contain EDTA, which prevents
clotting and is commonly used for hematology tests.
Correct Answer: B. EDTA
5. Which organization establishes infection control guidelines
used in healthcare settings?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
,C. CDC
D. WHO
Rationale: The CDC provides widely used infection control
guidelines in healthcare.
Correct Answer: C. CDC
6. The order of draw is important primarily to:
A. Reduce patient pain
B. Prevent cross-contamination of additives
C. Save time during collection
D. Improve vein visibility
Rationale: Incorrect order may contaminate specimens with
additives from other tubes.
Correct Answer: B. Prevent cross-contamination of additives
7. Which color tube is typically used for coagulation tests such
as PT and aPTT?
A. Red
B. Blue
C. Green
D. Gray
Rationale: Light blue tubes contain sodium citrate, used for
coagulation studies.
Correct Answer: B. Blue
, 8. What is the most important step before performing
venipuncture?
A. Putting on gloves
B. Identifying the patient correctly
C. Labeling tubes
D. Applying a tourniquet
Rationale: Correct patient identification prevents serious
medical errors.
Correct Answer: B. Identifying the patient correctly
9. The puncture site should be cleaned with which antiseptic
for routine venipuncture?
A. Hydrogen peroxide
B. Alcohol (70% isopropyl)
C. Saline
D. Betadine
Rationale: Alcohol is standard for routine blood collection
unless a blood culture is ordered.
Correct Answer: B. Alcohol (70% isopropyl)
10. What complication occurs when blood leaks into
surrounding tissue during collection?
A. Hemolysis
B. Thrombosis
