NHCO Phlebotomy Practice Exam
Questions and Answers with
Rationales Top Rated A+
1. What is the primary purpose of patient identification before collecting a
blood specimen?
A. To determine the patient's insurance status
B. To ensure the specimen is collected from the correct patient
C. To determine which vein is easiest to access
D. To reduce the amount of blood collected
Answer: B. To ensure the specimen is collected from the correct patient
Rationale: Correct patient identification is a critical safety step. The phlebotomist
should use at least two approved identifiers according to facility policy, such as the
patient's full name and date of birth.
2. Which vein is generally the first choice for routine venipuncture in the
antecubital area?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
Answer: C. Median cubital vein
Rationale: The median cubital vein is usually well anchored, relatively large, and
easy to access. It is commonly the preferred vein for routine venipuncture.
3. What is the maximum amount of time a tourniquet should generally remain
in place before blood collection?
,A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Answer: B. 1 minute
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause hemoconcentration and
may alter certain laboratory values. The tourniquet should generally not remain in
place for more than 1 minute.
4. Which action is most appropriate if a patient says they feel faint during
venipuncture?
A. Continue collecting the specimen quickly
B. Immediately remove the needle and protect the patient from falling
C. Ask the patient to take deep breaths and continue
D. Leave the patient alone to rest
Answer: B. Immediately remove the needle and protect the patient from
falling
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. Stop the procedure, remove the needle
safely, activate the safety device, and assist the patient according to facility
procedures.
5. Which tube additive is commonly associated with a lavender-top tube?
A. Sodium citrate
B. EDTA
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
Answer: B. EDTA
Rationale: Lavender-top tubes commonly contain EDTA, an anticoagulant used
for tests such as complete blood counts.
,6. Why should a phlebotomist allow the antiseptic at the venipuncture site to
dry before inserting the needle?
A. To make the vein larger
B. To reduce discomfort and prevent specimen contamination
C. To increase blood flow
D. To prevent the tube from filling too quickly
Answer: B. To reduce discomfort and prevent specimen contamination
Rationale: Allowing the antiseptic to dry helps reduce stinging and supports
proper skin antisepsis. Touching or blowing on the site after cleaning can
compromise the preparation.
7. What is the correct angle of needle insertion for a typical venipuncture?
A. 5 degrees
B. 15–30 degrees
C. 45–60 degrees
D. 70–90 degrees
Answer: B. 15–30 degrees
Rationale: A shallow insertion angle of approximately 15–30 degrees is generally
appropriate for venipuncture.
8. Which complication is most likely occurring when swelling begins at the
venipuncture site during collection?
A. Hematoma
B. Hemolysis
C. Syncope
D. Petechiae
Answer: A. Hematoma
, Rationale: Swelling at the site may indicate blood leaking into surrounding tissue
and hematoma formation. The phlebotomist should stop the draw and remove the
needle.
9. What is the most important action immediately after removing a
venipuncture needle?
A. Recap the needle
B. Dispose of the needle in an approved sharps container
C. Place the needle on the tray
D. Clean the needle for reuse
Answer: B. Dispose of the needle in an approved sharps container
Rationale: Needles must not be reused. After activating the safety feature, the
needle should be disposed of immediately in an approved sharps container.
10. Which of the following is an example of an acceptable patient identifier?
A. Room number
B. Diagnosis
C. Date of birth
D. Name of the physician
Answer: C. Date of birth
Rationale: Date of birth is commonly used as a patient identifier. Room number
alone is not considered a reliable unique identifier.
11. A patient has an intravenous infusion running in the left arm. What
should the phlebotomist generally do?
A. Collect above the IV site without checking policy
B. Use the same arm at any location
Questions and Answers with
Rationales Top Rated A+
1. What is the primary purpose of patient identification before collecting a
blood specimen?
A. To determine the patient's insurance status
B. To ensure the specimen is collected from the correct patient
C. To determine which vein is easiest to access
D. To reduce the amount of blood collected
Answer: B. To ensure the specimen is collected from the correct patient
Rationale: Correct patient identification is a critical safety step. The phlebotomist
should use at least two approved identifiers according to facility policy, such as the
patient's full name and date of birth.
2. Which vein is generally the first choice for routine venipuncture in the
antecubital area?
A. Basilic vein
B. Cephalic vein
C. Median cubital vein
D. Radial vein
Answer: C. Median cubital vein
Rationale: The median cubital vein is usually well anchored, relatively large, and
easy to access. It is commonly the preferred vein for routine venipuncture.
3. What is the maximum amount of time a tourniquet should generally remain
in place before blood collection?
,A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 3 minutes
D. 5 minutes
Answer: B. 1 minute
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause hemoconcentration and
may alter certain laboratory values. The tourniquet should generally not remain in
place for more than 1 minute.
4. Which action is most appropriate if a patient says they feel faint during
venipuncture?
A. Continue collecting the specimen quickly
B. Immediately remove the needle and protect the patient from falling
C. Ask the patient to take deep breaths and continue
D. Leave the patient alone to rest
Answer: B. Immediately remove the needle and protect the patient from
falling
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. Stop the procedure, remove the needle
safely, activate the safety device, and assist the patient according to facility
procedures.
5. Which tube additive is commonly associated with a lavender-top tube?
A. Sodium citrate
B. EDTA
C. Heparin
D. Sodium fluoride
Answer: B. EDTA
Rationale: Lavender-top tubes commonly contain EDTA, an anticoagulant used
for tests such as complete blood counts.
,6. Why should a phlebotomist allow the antiseptic at the venipuncture site to
dry before inserting the needle?
A. To make the vein larger
B. To reduce discomfort and prevent specimen contamination
C. To increase blood flow
D. To prevent the tube from filling too quickly
Answer: B. To reduce discomfort and prevent specimen contamination
Rationale: Allowing the antiseptic to dry helps reduce stinging and supports
proper skin antisepsis. Touching or blowing on the site after cleaning can
compromise the preparation.
7. What is the correct angle of needle insertion for a typical venipuncture?
A. 5 degrees
B. 15–30 degrees
C. 45–60 degrees
D. 70–90 degrees
Answer: B. 15–30 degrees
Rationale: A shallow insertion angle of approximately 15–30 degrees is generally
appropriate for venipuncture.
8. Which complication is most likely occurring when swelling begins at the
venipuncture site during collection?
A. Hematoma
B. Hemolysis
C. Syncope
D. Petechiae
Answer: A. Hematoma
, Rationale: Swelling at the site may indicate blood leaking into surrounding tissue
and hematoma formation. The phlebotomist should stop the draw and remove the
needle.
9. What is the most important action immediately after removing a
venipuncture needle?
A. Recap the needle
B. Dispose of the needle in an approved sharps container
C. Place the needle on the tray
D. Clean the needle for reuse
Answer: B. Dispose of the needle in an approved sharps container
Rationale: Needles must not be reused. After activating the safety feature, the
needle should be disposed of immediately in an approved sharps container.
10. Which of the following is an example of an acceptable patient identifier?
A. Room number
B. Diagnosis
C. Date of birth
D. Name of the physician
Answer: C. Date of birth
Rationale: Date of birth is commonly used as a patient identifier. Room number
alone is not considered a reliable unique identifier.
11. A patient has an intravenous infusion running in the left arm. What
should the phlebotomist generally do?
A. Collect above the IV site without checking policy
B. Use the same arm at any location
