NHA Phlebotomy Exam Vocab 2026 Questions and Answers

NHA Phlebotomy Exam Vocab 2026 Questions and Answers aggregation the clumping of platelets to form a temporary plug at the site of blood vessel injury aliquot to seperate a portion of a larger sample for testing anaerobic without oxygen anemia a condition marked by a deficiency of red blood cells antecubital (AC) fossa the inside area of the arm located at the crease of the elbow antibody a protein substance manufactured by the body in response to an antigen anticoagulant a substance that prevents blood from clotting aseptic free of pathogenic microorganisms that can cause disease bariatric Related to the treatment and management of obesity basilic vein located close to the brachial artery, and is the least securely anchored vein bedside manner the way healthcare professionals interacts with and treats patients bevel the slanted tip of the needle bilirubin a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down biohazard substances that are harmful or pose a risk through exposure blood smear a drop of blood smeared across a glass slide used for microscopic examination bloodborne pathogens microorganisms that can cause disease though exposure to blood and bodily fluids capillaries tiny blood vessels below the surface of the exam centrifuge a machine used to spin specimens at a high rate of speed to separate their components cephalic vein located on the thumb side of the antecubital fossa chain of custody a strict protocol for tracking forensic specimens clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) a global laboratory that develops standard practices for quality patient care and safety coagulation the process of blood clotting communicable spread from person to person, such as a virus contraindication a condition or factor that makes a treatment or procedure unsafe for a patient critical value aka panic value; a lab result that is dangerously abnormal and requires immediate medical attention current procedural terminology (CPT) a standardized code used to describe medical procedures and services for billing and documentation dermal puncture aka capillary collection; a puncture of the skin to obtain a capillary blood sample DIFF-SAFE blood dispenser a small device that attaches to the rubber stopper of a blood tube to aid in safely dispensing a small drop of blood to a glass slide EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) an anticoagulant that prevents clotting by binding to calcium electronic health record (ETR) a digital record that contains a patient's health information from multiple healthcare providers and facilities erythocyte a red blood cell evacuate tube system (ETS) a system for withdrawing a predetermined amount of blood using a needle, adapter, and a color coded, vacuum-sealed tube feathered edge the thin, tapered end of a blood smear where the cells are spread out in a single layer fibrinolysis the process by which the body breaks down and removes a blood clot flash the moment when blood first appears in the hub of the needle after a successful venipuncture fomite an inanimate object that can harbor bacteria and spread disease or infection gauge a measure of the diameter of a needle geriatric related to the health, care, and medical treatment of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older good samaritan act a law that protects individuals from legal action if they render aid at the scene of an emergency Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) a federal law that protects patients' health information hematoma a collection of blood beneath the skin caused by blood vessel leakage hemolyze to break down red blood cells, causing them to release their contents hemostasis the process by which the body stops bleeding after an injury ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) a standardized coding system used to classify diagnoses and medical conditions for billing and recordkeeping icteric discoloration caused by elevated bilirubin levels and is commonly used to describe serum that appears yellow or green in color invert gentle rotation of a specimen by turning it upside down and then returning it to the upright position to mix the blood with an additive after collection laboratory information system (LIS) an electronic system for entering and retrieving patient test data laboratory test directory a comprehensive list of lab tests and their requirements lancet a small, sharp medical device used to puncture the skin for low-volume blood collection leukocyte a white blood cell lipemic a condition of elevated lipid levels in the blood, causing specimens to appear cloudy or milky lumen the hollow interior space of the needle median cubital vein the first choice for venipuncture and the most commonly used vein microbe a microscopic living organism microcollection tube a thin glass or plastic tube that draws blood through capillary action microhematocrit tube a thin glass or plastic tube that draws blood through capillary action neonate a newborn less than four weeks old nosocomial infection an infection acquired in a healthcare setting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the federal agency responsible for establishing safety regulations across every workplace order of draw the proper sequence for blood tube collection, as defined by CLSI guidlines other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) bodily fluids other than blood palpate examination by touch or feel pathogens harmful microorganisms that cause disease pediatric related to the medical care and treatment of infants, children, and adolescents percutaneous through the skin petechiae small, non-raised red dots caused by bleeding under the skin pipette a laboratory tool used to accurately measure and transfer small volumes of liquid plantar surface the part of the bottom of the foot that contracts the ground when standing or walking plasma the liquid portion of blood, consisting of about 90% water plasma separator tube (PST) a blood collection tube containing anticoagulant and gel that is used to separate plasma from cells after centrifugation point-of-care testing (POCT) medical diagnostic testing performed at or near the patient to provide rapid results pre-analytical before laboratory testing QNS quantity not sufficient requisition a form sent to the laboratory that includes patient details, tests ordered, and any special instructions safety data sheet (SDS) an information sheet for each chemical, including information about exposure, storage, proper use, and disposal scope of practice the procedures a healthcare professional is legally and ethically allowed to perform based on training and certification serum the liquid portion of coagulated blood serum separator tube (SST) a blood collection tube containing clot activator and gel that is used to separate serum from cells after centrifugation sodium citrate an anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting by binding to calcium