MEDICAL ASSISTANT 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔If doing a blood culture, what antiseptic is used? - ✔✔providone-iodine
✔✔What antiseptic is used for blood cultures if the patient is allergic to iodine? -
✔✔chlorhexidine gluconate
✔✔What is the common length of venipuncture needles? - ✔✔1" - 1.5"
✔✔What is the most common gauge needle for adult venipuncture? - ✔✔21-22 gauge
✔✔What bore is used for blood donation? - ✔✔16 gauge
✔✔Why are needles smaller than 23 gauge not used for blood draw? - ✔✔they cause
hemolysis
✔✔When are butterfly needles used? - ✔✔1. elderly
2. pediatrics
3. small veins
✔✔If the vacutainer system cannot be used, what size syringe is used? - ✔✔10-20 ml
✔✔What is the most common length of the butterfly needle? - ✔✔1/2" - 3/4"
✔✔What is the most common complication of phlebotomy? - ✔✔hematoma
✔✔What is hemoconcentration? - ✔✔the increase in proportion of formed elements to
plasma caused by the tourniquet being left on too long.
✔✔What is phlebitis? - ✔✔inflammation of a vein as a result of repeated venipuncture.
✔✔What are petechiae? - ✔✔tiny non-raised red spots that appear on the skin from
rupturing of the capillaries due to the tourniquet being left on too long or too tight.
✔✔What is thrombophlebitis - ✔✔inflammation of a vein with the formation of a clot
✔✔What is a thrombus - ✔✔blood clot usually a consequence of insufficient pressure
applied after the withdrawal of the needle
✔✔What is septicemia - ✔✔systemic infection associated with the presence of
pathogenic organism introduced during a venipuncture.
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔If doing a blood culture, what antiseptic is used? - ✔✔providone-iodine
✔✔What antiseptic is used for blood cultures if the patient is allergic to iodine? -
✔✔chlorhexidine gluconate
✔✔What is the common length of venipuncture needles? - ✔✔1" - 1.5"
✔✔What is the most common gauge needle for adult venipuncture? - ✔✔21-22 gauge
✔✔What bore is used for blood donation? - ✔✔16 gauge
✔✔Why are needles smaller than 23 gauge not used for blood draw? - ✔✔they cause
hemolysis
✔✔When are butterfly needles used? - ✔✔1. elderly
2. pediatrics
3. small veins
✔✔If the vacutainer system cannot be used, what size syringe is used? - ✔✔10-20 ml
✔✔What is the most common length of the butterfly needle? - ✔✔1/2" - 3/4"
✔✔What is the most common complication of phlebotomy? - ✔✔hematoma
✔✔What is hemoconcentration? - ✔✔the increase in proportion of formed elements to
plasma caused by the tourniquet being left on too long.
✔✔What is phlebitis? - ✔✔inflammation of a vein as a result of repeated venipuncture.
✔✔What are petechiae? - ✔✔tiny non-raised red spots that appear on the skin from
rupturing of the capillaries due to the tourniquet being left on too long or too tight.
✔✔What is thrombophlebitis - ✔✔inflammation of a vein with the formation of a clot
✔✔What is a thrombus - ✔✔blood clot usually a consequence of insufficient pressure
applied after the withdrawal of the needle
✔✔What is septicemia - ✔✔systemic infection associated with the presence of
pathogenic organism introduced during a venipuncture.
