NHCO phlebotomy Practice Exam 2
Questions and Answers Latest Versions
2026 Top Rated
Elements of protected health information (PHI)
Lab tests, medical orders, medical diagnoses, medical procedures,
medications, test results, appointment times and places, patient
demographics (i.e. address, phone numbers)
Layers of the heart
Epicardium (fibrous outer layer, covers and protects the organ);
Myocardium (middle muscular layer, made up of contractile tissue);
Endocardium (innermost layer, a single layer of endothelial cells that line
the chambers and valves)
Blood flow through the heart
1) Superior and inferior vena cavae
2) Right atrium
3) Tricuspid valve
4) Right ventricle
5) Pulmonary valve
6) Pulmonary artery
7) Lungs
8) Pulmonary veins
9) Left atrium
10) Mitral (bicuspid) valve
11) Left ventricle
12) Aortic valve
13) Aorta
Coagulation
Process of blood clotting, where platelets and proteins form a clot and seal
the wound
Anticoagulant
A substance that prevents clotting
Plasma
The liquid portion of anticoagulated blood (still contains clotting factors
such as fibrinogen); comprises about 55% of TBV in the body
Serum
The liquid portion of coagulated blood (when a blood sample has clotted, it
will yield serum)
,Buffy coat
A thin layer of white blood ells and platelets that separates the red blood
cells and plasma
Standard blood pH measures
Between 7.35 and 7.45 (below is acidosis, above is alkalosis)
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells (RBCs), containing hemoglobin; primary function is
transporting oxygen throughout the body and removing carbon dioxide
Anemia
A condition in which the RBC level in the body is deficient (from disease or
excessive blood loss)
Polycythemia vera
A condition in which the body produces an excessive amount of RBCs; can
cause thickened blood and organ damage
Hemochromatosis
A condition in which the body absorbs too much iron, which can lead to
abnormal RBCs
Leukocytes
White blood cells (WBCs) which protect against infection; defend against
pathogens, remove dead and damaged cells, and support immune
responses
Five types of leukocytes
Monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
Leukopenia
A condition in which the WBC level in the body is deficient; can result from
viral infections or a side effect of chemotherapy
Leukocytosis
A condition in which there are elevated WBC levels, often indicating the
body is fighting an infection; occurs from immune system disorders,
inflammation, and infection; persistently elevated WBC counts may indicate
leukemia
Thrombocytes
Platelets; aid in blood coagulation and wound healing
Antecubital fossa (AC) veins by priority
1) Median cubital vein (typically the first choice as it is more securely
anchored in the surrounding tissue, and therefore less likely to move)
2) Cephalic vein; thumb side of AC fossa (often easier to palpate in obese
patients)
, 3) Basilic vein; pinky side of AC fossa (it is the least securely anchored vein
and is located close to the brachial artery and nearby nerves)
Antigen
A substance that triggers an immune response, leading to the production of
antibodies
Antibody
Protein substances that help defend the body
Universal donor
O-
Universal recipient
AB+
Agglutination
Clumping of red blood cells; occurs when blood types are incompatible, can
cause cell rupturing and the release of Hb into the bloodstream
Integumentary System
Skin, hair, fingernails; skin layers include epidermis, dermis, and
subcutaneous
Common diagnostic tests include skin tissue cultures and biopsies, and
fungal scrapings
Nervous System
Includes somatic nervous system (voluntary) and autonomic nervous
system (involuntary); includes CNS (brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal
fluid) and PNS (nerves connecting the CNS to the rest of the body)
Muscular system
Cardiac muscle (found in the heart; striated; pumps blood)
Skeletal muscle (voluntary muscles attached to bones that allow
movement)
Smooth muscle (line hollow visceral organs)
Common diagnostic tests include lactic acid (LA), cold agglutinin, ANA, CK,
and autoimmune profiles
Urinary System
Bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys; maintains water and electrolyte balance,
and produces renin (regulate blood pressure)
Common diagnostic tests include urinalysis, urine C&S, 24-hour urine
collection, blood kidney function panel (BUN, creatinine, glucose), albumin
test, electrolyte panel, kidney or bladder biopsy, urine cytology
Scope of practice
Questions and Answers Latest Versions
2026 Top Rated
Elements of protected health information (PHI)
Lab tests, medical orders, medical diagnoses, medical procedures,
medications, test results, appointment times and places, patient
demographics (i.e. address, phone numbers)
Layers of the heart
Epicardium (fibrous outer layer, covers and protects the organ);
Myocardium (middle muscular layer, made up of contractile tissue);
Endocardium (innermost layer, a single layer of endothelial cells that line
the chambers and valves)
Blood flow through the heart
1) Superior and inferior vena cavae
2) Right atrium
3) Tricuspid valve
4) Right ventricle
5) Pulmonary valve
6) Pulmonary artery
7) Lungs
8) Pulmonary veins
9) Left atrium
10) Mitral (bicuspid) valve
11) Left ventricle
12) Aortic valve
13) Aorta
Coagulation
Process of blood clotting, where platelets and proteins form a clot and seal
the wound
Anticoagulant
A substance that prevents clotting
Plasma
The liquid portion of anticoagulated blood (still contains clotting factors
such as fibrinogen); comprises about 55% of TBV in the body
Serum
The liquid portion of coagulated blood (when a blood sample has clotted, it
will yield serum)
,Buffy coat
A thin layer of white blood ells and platelets that separates the red blood
cells and plasma
Standard blood pH measures
Between 7.35 and 7.45 (below is acidosis, above is alkalosis)
Erythrocytes
Red blood cells (RBCs), containing hemoglobin; primary function is
transporting oxygen throughout the body and removing carbon dioxide
Anemia
A condition in which the RBC level in the body is deficient (from disease or
excessive blood loss)
Polycythemia vera
A condition in which the body produces an excessive amount of RBCs; can
cause thickened blood and organ damage
Hemochromatosis
A condition in which the body absorbs too much iron, which can lead to
abnormal RBCs
Leukocytes
White blood cells (WBCs) which protect against infection; defend against
pathogens, remove dead and damaged cells, and support immune
responses
Five types of leukocytes
Monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
Leukopenia
A condition in which the WBC level in the body is deficient; can result from
viral infections or a side effect of chemotherapy
Leukocytosis
A condition in which there are elevated WBC levels, often indicating the
body is fighting an infection; occurs from immune system disorders,
inflammation, and infection; persistently elevated WBC counts may indicate
leukemia
Thrombocytes
Platelets; aid in blood coagulation and wound healing
Antecubital fossa (AC) veins by priority
1) Median cubital vein (typically the first choice as it is more securely
anchored in the surrounding tissue, and therefore less likely to move)
2) Cephalic vein; thumb side of AC fossa (often easier to palpate in obese
patients)
, 3) Basilic vein; pinky side of AC fossa (it is the least securely anchored vein
and is located close to the brachial artery and nearby nerves)
Antigen
A substance that triggers an immune response, leading to the production of
antibodies
Antibody
Protein substances that help defend the body
Universal donor
O-
Universal recipient
AB+
Agglutination
Clumping of red blood cells; occurs when blood types are incompatible, can
cause cell rupturing and the release of Hb into the bloodstream
Integumentary System
Skin, hair, fingernails; skin layers include epidermis, dermis, and
subcutaneous
Common diagnostic tests include skin tissue cultures and biopsies, and
fungal scrapings
Nervous System
Includes somatic nervous system (voluntary) and autonomic nervous
system (involuntary); includes CNS (brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal
fluid) and PNS (nerves connecting the CNS to the rest of the body)
Muscular system
Cardiac muscle (found in the heart; striated; pumps blood)
Skeletal muscle (voluntary muscles attached to bones that allow
movement)
Smooth muscle (line hollow visceral organs)
Common diagnostic tests include lactic acid (LA), cold agglutinin, ANA, CK,
and autoimmune profiles
Urinary System
Bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys; maintains water and electrolyte balance,
and produces renin (regulate blood pressure)
Common diagnostic tests include urinalysis, urine C&S, 24-hour urine
collection, blood kidney function panel (BUN, creatinine, glucose), albumin
test, electrolyte panel, kidney or bladder biopsy, urine cytology
Scope of practice
