PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: The most important measure for preventing the spread of infection during
phlebotomy is:
Answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after every patient contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-
associated infections. According to OSHA and CDC guidelines, hand hygiene must be performed
before and after each patient contact, before donning gloves, and after removing gloves.
Alcohol-based hand rub is preferred unless hands are visibly soiled, in which case soap and
water should be used for at least 20 seconds.
Question 2: A phlebotomist experiences a needlestick injury during a blood draw. What is the
FIRST action to take?
Answer: Immediately wash the exposed area with soap and water.
,Rationale: After a needlestick injury, the exposed site should be washed immediately with soap
and water (or an antiseptic if available). The exposure should then be reported to a supervisor,
and the incident should be documented. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated as
soon as possible following institutional protocols. Squeezing the wound is not recommended as it
may increase tissue damage.
Question 3: According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which of the following is a
requirement for phlebotomists?
Answer: Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to standard
precautions.
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to
provide PPE and training to workers at risk of exposure. Standard precautions assume all blood
and body fluids are potentially infectious. Phlebotomists must wear gloves for all blood draws
and may require additional PPE (gowns, masks, eye protection) based on the potential for
splashing.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct method for disposing of a used needle?
Answer: Place the needle directly into a puncture-proof sharps container immediately after use.
,Rationale: Used needles must be disposed of immediately in a designated sharps container.
Needles should never be recapped, bent, broken, or removed from the syringe by hand. The
sharps container must be puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled with the biohazard symbol.
Recapping needles is the most common cause of needlestick injuries.
Question 5: What is the minimum required PPE for performing routine venipuncture?
Answer: Gloves.
Rationale: Gloves are the minimum PPE required for routine venipuncture. Additional PPE
(gown, mask, eye protection) may be required if there is a risk of splashing or aerosolization of
blood. Gloves must be changed between patients and disposed of properly. Hand hygiene must
be performed before donning gloves and after removing them.
Question 6: A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient in isolation. What is the
most important consideration?
Answer: Follow the isolation precautions indicated for the patient and don appropriate PPE.
Rationale: Patients in isolation require transmission-based precautions in addition to standard
precautions. The phlebotomist must follow the specific isolation category (contact, droplet, or
airborne) and don the appropriate PPE. Entering the room without proper PPE can expose the
phlebotomist and spread infection to other patients.
, Question 7: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method for patient identification?
Answer: Asking the patient "Are you [name on requisition]?"
Rationale: Asking a leading question such as "Are you John Smith?" is not an acceptable method
of patient identification. The correct method is to ask the patient to state their full name and date
of birth (or confirm with a family member if the patient is unable). The information must be
compared to the requisition and wristband. Positive identification requires at least two
identifiers.
Question 8: Under CLIA regulations, which of the following is true regarding waived testing?
Answer: Waived tests are simple tests with a low risk of incorrect results and do not require
extensive training to perform.
Rationale: CLIA-waived tests are simple laboratory tests that have been approved by the FDA
for home use or are so simple that the risk of incorrect results is minimal. Phlebotomists may
perform waived tests (e.g., glucose monitoring, pregnancy tests) as part of their duties. However,
they must follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.
Question 9: The one-handed "scoop" technique is used for:
Answer: Recapping a needle when it is unavoidable.
EXAMINATION
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: The most important measure for preventing the spread of infection during
phlebotomy is:
Answer: Performing hand hygiene before and after every patient contact.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-
associated infections. According to OSHA and CDC guidelines, hand hygiene must be performed
before and after each patient contact, before donning gloves, and after removing gloves.
Alcohol-based hand rub is preferred unless hands are visibly soiled, in which case soap and
water should be used for at least 20 seconds.
Question 2: A phlebotomist experiences a needlestick injury during a blood draw. What is the
FIRST action to take?
Answer: Immediately wash the exposed area with soap and water.
,Rationale: After a needlestick injury, the exposed site should be washed immediately with soap
and water (or an antiseptic if available). The exposure should then be reported to a supervisor,
and the incident should be documented. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be initiated as
soon as possible following institutional protocols. Squeezing the wound is not recommended as it
may increase tissue damage.
Question 3: According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which of the following is a
requirement for phlebotomists?
Answer: Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to standard
precautions.
Rationale: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to
provide PPE and training to workers at risk of exposure. Standard precautions assume all blood
and body fluids are potentially infectious. Phlebotomists must wear gloves for all blood draws
and may require additional PPE (gowns, masks, eye protection) based on the potential for
splashing.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct method for disposing of a used needle?
Answer: Place the needle directly into a puncture-proof sharps container immediately after use.
,Rationale: Used needles must be disposed of immediately in a designated sharps container.
Needles should never be recapped, bent, broken, or removed from the syringe by hand. The
sharps container must be puncture-resistant, leak-proof, and labeled with the biohazard symbol.
Recapping needles is the most common cause of needlestick injuries.
Question 5: What is the minimum required PPE for performing routine venipuncture?
Answer: Gloves.
Rationale: Gloves are the minimum PPE required for routine venipuncture. Additional PPE
(gown, mask, eye protection) may be required if there is a risk of splashing or aerosolization of
blood. Gloves must be changed between patients and disposed of properly. Hand hygiene must
be performed before donning gloves and after removing them.
Question 6: A phlebotomist is preparing to draw blood from a patient in isolation. What is the
most important consideration?
Answer: Follow the isolation precautions indicated for the patient and don appropriate PPE.
Rationale: Patients in isolation require transmission-based precautions in addition to standard
precautions. The phlebotomist must follow the specific isolation category (contact, droplet, or
airborne) and don the appropriate PPE. Entering the room without proper PPE can expose the
phlebotomist and spread infection to other patients.
, Question 7: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method for patient identification?
Answer: Asking the patient "Are you [name on requisition]?"
Rationale: Asking a leading question such as "Are you John Smith?" is not an acceptable method
of patient identification. The correct method is to ask the patient to state their full name and date
of birth (or confirm with a family member if the patient is unable). The information must be
compared to the requisition and wristband. Positive identification requires at least two
identifiers.
Question 8: Under CLIA regulations, which of the following is true regarding waived testing?
Answer: Waived tests are simple tests with a low risk of incorrect results and do not require
extensive training to perform.
Rationale: CLIA-waived tests are simple laboratory tests that have been approved by the FDA
for home use or are so simple that the risk of incorrect results is minimal. Phlebotomists may
perform waived tests (e.g., glucose monitoring, pregnancy tests) as part of their duties. However,
they must follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.
Question 9: The one-handed "scoop" technique is used for:
Answer: Recapping a needle when it is unavoidable.
