OHIO SCHOOL OF PHLEBOTOMY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) Q&A 2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of a phlebotomist?
A. Diagnose medical conditions B. Collect blood specimens for
laboratory testing C. Prescribe medications D. Interpret
laboratory results
Correct answer: B. Collect blood specimens for laboratory
testing.
Rationale: Phlebotomists collect and handle blood specimens
safely and accurately to support diagnosis and patient care.
2. Which action should be performed before collecting a blood
specimen?
A. Apply the tourniquet immediately B. Ask the patient to select
a collection tube C. Verify the patient's identity using approved
identifiers D. Clean the collection tray after the procedure
Correct answer: C. Verify the patient's identity using approved
identifiers.
Rationale: Correct patient identification prevents specimen
mix-ups and potentially serious treatment errors.
3. Which combination is generally acceptable for identifying a
patient?
,A. Room number and diagnosis B. Full name and date of birth C.
Bed number and physician's name D. Appearance and location
Correct answer: B. Full name and date of birth.
Rationale: Use at least two approved patient identifiers and
match them to the laboratory requisition or identification band
according to facility policy.
4. Which vein is generally the first choice for routine
venipuncture in the antecubital area?
A. Basilic vein B. Radial vein C. Median cubital vein D. Femoral
vein
Correct answer: C. Median cubital vein.
Rationale: The median cubital vein is usually well anchored and
accessible, making it a preferred site for routine blood
collection.
5. What is the main purpose of a tourniquet during
venipuncture?
A. Stop arterial circulation completely B. Make veins more
prominent C. Prevent all bleeding after collection D. Sterilize
the puncture site
Correct answer: B. Make veins more prominent.
Rationale: A tourniquet temporarily restricts venous return,
helping veins become easier to locate and palpate.
6. How long should a tourniquet generally remain applied?
,A. Less than one minute when possible B. Five minutes C. Ten
minutes D. Until all tubes are labeled
Correct answer: A. Less than one minute when possible.
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause
hemoconcentration and alter certain laboratory results.
7. Which antiseptic is commonly used for routine
venipuncture in adults?
A. Sterile water only B. 70% isopropyl alcohol C. Hydrogen
peroxide D. Hand lotion
Correct answer: B. 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Rationale: Alcohol is commonly used to clean routine
venipuncture sites. Allow it to air-dry before inserting the
needle.
8. What should a phlebotomist do immediately after removing
a used needle?
A. Recap it using both hands B. Place it on the collection tray C.
Activate its safety device and discard it in a sharps container D.
Carry it to another workstation
Correct answer: C. Activate its safety device and discard it in a
sharps container.
Rationale: Immediate disposal using the safety mechanism
reduces needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne
pathogens.
, 9. Which bloodborne pathogen is a major occupational
concern for phlebotomists?
A. Hepatitis B virus B. Common cold virus only C. Rhinovirus
only D. Rotavirus only
Correct answer: A. Hepatitis B virus.
Rationale: Hepatitis B can be transmitted through infected
blood. Standard precautions, vaccination, and safe sharps
practices reduce occupational risk.
10. What does the term standard precautions mean?
A. Precautions used only for patients with known infections B.
Treating all blood and certain body fluids as potentially
infectious C. Wearing gloves only when blood is visible D.
Avoiding hand hygiene when gloves are worn
Correct answer: B. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as
potentially infectious.
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to patient care
regardless of whether an infection is known or suspected.
11. Which personal protective equipment is normally required
when performing routine venipuncture?
A. Examination gloves B. Shoe covers in every situation C.
Respirator in every situation D. Sterile surgical gown in every
situation
Correct answer: A. Examination gloves.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) Q&A 2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary responsibility of a phlebotomist?
A. Diagnose medical conditions B. Collect blood specimens for
laboratory testing C. Prescribe medications D. Interpret
laboratory results
Correct answer: B. Collect blood specimens for laboratory
testing.
Rationale: Phlebotomists collect and handle blood specimens
safely and accurately to support diagnosis and patient care.
2. Which action should be performed before collecting a blood
specimen?
A. Apply the tourniquet immediately B. Ask the patient to select
a collection tube C. Verify the patient's identity using approved
identifiers D. Clean the collection tray after the procedure
Correct answer: C. Verify the patient's identity using approved
identifiers.
Rationale: Correct patient identification prevents specimen
mix-ups and potentially serious treatment errors.
3. Which combination is generally acceptable for identifying a
patient?
,A. Room number and diagnosis B. Full name and date of birth C.
Bed number and physician's name D. Appearance and location
Correct answer: B. Full name and date of birth.
Rationale: Use at least two approved patient identifiers and
match them to the laboratory requisition or identification band
according to facility policy.
4. Which vein is generally the first choice for routine
venipuncture in the antecubital area?
A. Basilic vein B. Radial vein C. Median cubital vein D. Femoral
vein
Correct answer: C. Median cubital vein.
Rationale: The median cubital vein is usually well anchored and
accessible, making it a preferred site for routine blood
collection.
5. What is the main purpose of a tourniquet during
venipuncture?
A. Stop arterial circulation completely B. Make veins more
prominent C. Prevent all bleeding after collection D. Sterilize
the puncture site
Correct answer: B. Make veins more prominent.
Rationale: A tourniquet temporarily restricts venous return,
helping veins become easier to locate and palpate.
6. How long should a tourniquet generally remain applied?
,A. Less than one minute when possible B. Five minutes C. Ten
minutes D. Until all tubes are labeled
Correct answer: A. Less than one minute when possible.
Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet application can cause
hemoconcentration and alter certain laboratory results.
7. Which antiseptic is commonly used for routine
venipuncture in adults?
A. Sterile water only B. 70% isopropyl alcohol C. Hydrogen
peroxide D. Hand lotion
Correct answer: B. 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Rationale: Alcohol is commonly used to clean routine
venipuncture sites. Allow it to air-dry before inserting the
needle.
8. What should a phlebotomist do immediately after removing
a used needle?
A. Recap it using both hands B. Place it on the collection tray C.
Activate its safety device and discard it in a sharps container D.
Carry it to another workstation
Correct answer: C. Activate its safety device and discard it in a
sharps container.
Rationale: Immediate disposal using the safety mechanism
reduces needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne
pathogens.
, 9. Which bloodborne pathogen is a major occupational
concern for phlebotomists?
A. Hepatitis B virus B. Common cold virus only C. Rhinovirus
only D. Rotavirus only
Correct answer: A. Hepatitis B virus.
Rationale: Hepatitis B can be transmitted through infected
blood. Standard precautions, vaccination, and safe sharps
practices reduce occupational risk.
10. What does the term standard precautions mean?
A. Precautions used only for patients with known infections B.
Treating all blood and certain body fluids as potentially
infectious C. Wearing gloves only when blood is visible D.
Avoiding hand hygiene when gloves are worn
Correct answer: B. Treating all blood and certain body fluids as
potentially infectious.
Rationale: Standard precautions apply to patient care
regardless of whether an infection is known or suspected.
11. Which personal protective equipment is normally required
when performing routine venipuncture?
A. Examination gloves B. Shoe covers in every situation C.
Respirator in every situation D. Sterile surgical gown in every
situation
Correct answer: A. Examination gloves.
