CPT (CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY
TECHNICIAN – NHA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Before collecting a blood specimen, the phlebotomy technician must first:
A. Apply the tourniquet
B. Identify the patient using at least two identifiers
C. Select the collection tube
D. Clean the venipuncture site
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Identify the patient using at least two identifiers
RATIONALE:
Correct patient identification is the most critical step in specimen collection. Using two
identifiers, such as the patient's full name and date of birth, helps prevent specimen mix-ups,
diagnostic errors, and inappropriate treatment.
2. Which vein is generally considered the first choice for routine venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Median cubital vein
RATIONALE:
The median cubital vein is usually large, well anchored, and located away from major nerves and
arteries, making it the safest and easiest vein for venipuncture.
3. Which of the following is the correct order of draw according to CLSI
guidelines?
,A. Blood cultures → Light Blue → Serum (Red/Gold) → Green → Lavender → Gray
B. Lavender → Green → Red → Gray → Light Blue
C. Gray → Lavender → Green → Red → Blood Cultures
D. Red → Green → Blood Cultures → Lavender → Gray
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood cultures → Light Blue → Serum (Red/Gold) → Green →
Lavender → Gray
RATIONALE:
Following the correct order of draw prevents additive carryover that may alter laboratory results
and compromise specimen integrity.
4. A light blue-top tube contains which anticoagulant?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Sodium citrate
RATIONALE:
Light blue-top tubes contain sodium citrate, which preserves coagulation factors for tests such as
PT, INR, and aPTT.
5. Which laboratory test is most commonly collected in a lavender-top tube?
A. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
B. Blood Glucose
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Blood Culture
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Complete Blood Count (CBC)
RATIONALE:
Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA, which preserves blood cell morphology and is ideal for
hematology testing such as CBC.
6. A phlebotomist notices swelling around the puncture site during blood
collection. This most likely indicates:
, A. Syncope
B. Hematoma formation
C. Hemolysis
D. Infection
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Hematoma formation
RATIONALE:
A hematoma develops when blood leaks from the vein into surrounding tissues. The procedure
should be stopped immediately, the needle removed, and pressure applied to the site.
7. Which action best helps prevent hemolysis during specimen collection?
A. Vigorously shaking collection tubes
B. Allowing the alcohol to dry completely before puncture
C. Using the smallest available needle for every patient
D. Drawing blood as rapidly as possible
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Allowing the alcohol to dry completely before puncture
RATIONALE:
Alcohol that has not dried can damage red blood cells and contribute to hemolysis, resulting in
inaccurate laboratory values.
8. The primary purpose of applying a tourniquet is to:
A. Stop arterial circulation
B. Increase venous filling to make veins easier to locate
C. Sterilize the puncture site
D. Reduce patient discomfort
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Increase venous filling to make veins easier to locate
RATIONALE:
A properly applied tourniquet temporarily restricts venous return while maintaining arterial flow,
making veins more visible and easier to access.
9. A tourniquet should generally not remain applied for longer than:
TECHNICIAN – NHA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Before collecting a blood specimen, the phlebotomy technician must first:
A. Apply the tourniquet
B. Identify the patient using at least two identifiers
C. Select the collection tube
D. Clean the venipuncture site
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Identify the patient using at least two identifiers
RATIONALE:
Correct patient identification is the most critical step in specimen collection. Using two
identifiers, such as the patient's full name and date of birth, helps prevent specimen mix-ups,
diagnostic errors, and inappropriate treatment.
2. Which vein is generally considered the first choice for routine venipuncture?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
CORRECT ANSWER: C — Median cubital vein
RATIONALE:
The median cubital vein is usually large, well anchored, and located away from major nerves and
arteries, making it the safest and easiest vein for venipuncture.
3. Which of the following is the correct order of draw according to CLSI
guidelines?
,A. Blood cultures → Light Blue → Serum (Red/Gold) → Green → Lavender → Gray
B. Lavender → Green → Red → Gray → Light Blue
C. Gray → Lavender → Green → Red → Blood Cultures
D. Red → Green → Blood Cultures → Lavender → Gray
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood cultures → Light Blue → Serum (Red/Gold) → Green →
Lavender → Gray
RATIONALE:
Following the correct order of draw prevents additive carryover that may alter laboratory results
and compromise specimen integrity.
4. A light blue-top tube contains which anticoagulant?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium citrate
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Sodium citrate
RATIONALE:
Light blue-top tubes contain sodium citrate, which preserves coagulation factors for tests such as
PT, INR, and aPTT.
5. Which laboratory test is most commonly collected in a lavender-top tube?
A. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
B. Blood Glucose
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Blood Culture
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Complete Blood Count (CBC)
RATIONALE:
Lavender-top tubes contain EDTA, which preserves blood cell morphology and is ideal for
hematology testing such as CBC.
6. A phlebotomist notices swelling around the puncture site during blood
collection. This most likely indicates:
, A. Syncope
B. Hematoma formation
C. Hemolysis
D. Infection
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Hematoma formation
RATIONALE:
A hematoma develops when blood leaks from the vein into surrounding tissues. The procedure
should be stopped immediately, the needle removed, and pressure applied to the site.
7. Which action best helps prevent hemolysis during specimen collection?
A. Vigorously shaking collection tubes
B. Allowing the alcohol to dry completely before puncture
C. Using the smallest available needle for every patient
D. Drawing blood as rapidly as possible
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Allowing the alcohol to dry completely before puncture
RATIONALE:
Alcohol that has not dried can damage red blood cells and contribute to hemolysis, resulting in
inaccurate laboratory values.
8. The primary purpose of applying a tourniquet is to:
A. Stop arterial circulation
B. Increase venous filling to make veins easier to locate
C. Sterilize the puncture site
D. Reduce patient discomfort
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Increase venous filling to make veins easier to locate
RATIONALE:
A properly applied tourniquet temporarily restricts venous return while maintaining arterial flow,
making veins more visible and easier to access.
9. A tourniquet should generally not remain applied for longer than:
