Phlebotomy Technician Exam 2025/2026
– 100% Verified Questions, Correct
Answers & Expert Rationales for
Guaranteed Success
Domain 1: Patient Identification & Specimen Collection (20 Questions)
1. What is the primary method for verifying patient identity before
performing a venipuncture? A. Asking the patient's name verbally B. Checking
the patient's wristband against the requisition form and asking two patient
identifiers C. Relying on the patient's room number D. Using only the date of birth
from the medical record
Answer: B. Checking the patient's wristband against the requisition form and
asking two patient identifiers
Expert Rationale: Positive patient identification using two identifiers (e.g., full
name and date of birth) combined with visual confirmation via wristband prevents
errors like wrong-patient draws, a leading cause of sentinel events per The Joint
Commission standards. Option A is insufficient alone as patients may be confused
or unresponsive; C risks errors in multi-bed rooms; D overlooks verbal
confirmation for alert patients.
2. In a pediatric patient under 2 years old, what is the preferred site for
capillary puncture? A. Fingertip B. Earlobe C. Heel D. Great toe
Answer: C. Heel
Expert Rationale: The heel's thick skin and abundant vascular supply minimize
pain and complications in infants, per CLSI guidelines (H3-A6). Fingertips (A) are
too sensitive; earlobes (B) risk hematoma; great toe (D) increases infection risk
due to proximity to the ground.
,3. A patient with a mastectomy on the left side presents for blood draw.
Which arm should be avoided? A. Right arm B. Left arm C. Either arm D. No
arm restriction
Answer: B. Left arm
Expert Rationale: Post-mastectomy lymphedema risk contraindicates
venipuncture on the affected side to prevent infection or swelling, as per oncology
nursing guidelines. Right arm (A) is safe; C and D ignore this standard precaution.
4. What action should a phlebotomist take if a patient refuses the blood draw?
A. Proceed anyway per physician order B. Document the refusal and notify the
ordering provider C. Insist on the procedure for compliance D. Label the tube as
"refused" and send it
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the ordering provider
Expert Rationale: Patient autonomy under informed consent requires respecting
refusal; documentation ensures continuity of care without coercion, aligning with
ethical standards (AMA Code). A and C violate rights; D falsifies records.
5. For a fasting blood glucose test, how long must the patient fast? A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours C. 8–12 hours D. 24 hours
Answer: C. 8–12 hours
Expert Rationale: Standard fasting for glucose is 8–12 hours to avoid
postprandial elevation, per CLSI and ADA guidelines. Shorter (A, B) risks
inaccurate highs; longer (D) may cause hypoglycemia.
6. What is the correct tourniquet application time to avoid
hemoconcentration? A. Up to 5 minutes B. 1 minute maximum C. 10 minutes D.
Indefinite
Answer: B. 1 minute maximum
Expert Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet (>1 min) causes hemoconcentration,
altering analytes like potassium (CLSI H3-A6). A and C increase error risk; D is
unsafe.
, 7. In an outpatient setting, how should a phlebotomist confirm identity for a
walk-in patient? A. Photo ID only B. Verbal confirmation and signature on
requisition C. Government-issued ID plus two identifiers D. Requisition form
alone
Answer: C. Government-issued ID plus two identifiers
Expert Rationale: Dual verification with ID prevents fraud/misidentification
(Joint Commission NPSG.01.01.01). A lacks verbal check; B omits ID; D risks
errors.
8. What site is contraindicated for venipuncture in a patient with IV therapy?
A. Opposite arm B. Same arm, distal to IV C. Same arm, proximal to IV D. Any
site
Answer: C. Same arm, proximal to IV
Expert Rationale: Proximal draws risk IV fluid contamination (CLSI). Opposite
(A) or distal (B) are acceptable; D ignores guidelines.
9. For a difficult draw in an obese patient, what alternative is first-line? A.
Immediate arterial puncture B. Switch to butterfly needle C. Skip the draw D. Use
larger gauge needle
Answer: B. Switch to butterfly needle
Expert Rationale: Butterflies access shallow veins better in obese patients (CLSI).
A risks complications; C delays care; D traumatizes tissue.
10. How should a phlebotomist handle a lost requisition form? A. Draw
without it B. Recreate from memory C. Obtain a new requisition from provider D.
Use patient's verbal order
Answer: C. Obtain a new requisition from provider
Expert Rationale: Requisitions ensure accurate testing (CLIA); drawing without
(A, B, D) risks errors/medicolegal issues.
11. What is the maximum number of venipuncture attempts allowed? A. 1 B.
2 C. Unlimited D. 3
– 100% Verified Questions, Correct
Answers & Expert Rationales for
Guaranteed Success
Domain 1: Patient Identification & Specimen Collection (20 Questions)
1. What is the primary method for verifying patient identity before
performing a venipuncture? A. Asking the patient's name verbally B. Checking
the patient's wristband against the requisition form and asking two patient
identifiers C. Relying on the patient's room number D. Using only the date of birth
from the medical record
Answer: B. Checking the patient's wristband against the requisition form and
asking two patient identifiers
Expert Rationale: Positive patient identification using two identifiers (e.g., full
name and date of birth) combined with visual confirmation via wristband prevents
errors like wrong-patient draws, a leading cause of sentinel events per The Joint
Commission standards. Option A is insufficient alone as patients may be confused
or unresponsive; C risks errors in multi-bed rooms; D overlooks verbal
confirmation for alert patients.
2. In a pediatric patient under 2 years old, what is the preferred site for
capillary puncture? A. Fingertip B. Earlobe C. Heel D. Great toe
Answer: C. Heel
Expert Rationale: The heel's thick skin and abundant vascular supply minimize
pain and complications in infants, per CLSI guidelines (H3-A6). Fingertips (A) are
too sensitive; earlobes (B) risk hematoma; great toe (D) increases infection risk
due to proximity to the ground.
,3. A patient with a mastectomy on the left side presents for blood draw.
Which arm should be avoided? A. Right arm B. Left arm C. Either arm D. No
arm restriction
Answer: B. Left arm
Expert Rationale: Post-mastectomy lymphedema risk contraindicates
venipuncture on the affected side to prevent infection or swelling, as per oncology
nursing guidelines. Right arm (A) is safe; C and D ignore this standard precaution.
4. What action should a phlebotomist take if a patient refuses the blood draw?
A. Proceed anyway per physician order B. Document the refusal and notify the
ordering provider C. Insist on the procedure for compliance D. Label the tube as
"refused" and send it
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the ordering provider
Expert Rationale: Patient autonomy under informed consent requires respecting
refusal; documentation ensures continuity of care without coercion, aligning with
ethical standards (AMA Code). A and C violate rights; D falsifies records.
5. For a fasting blood glucose test, how long must the patient fast? A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours C. 8–12 hours D. 24 hours
Answer: C. 8–12 hours
Expert Rationale: Standard fasting for glucose is 8–12 hours to avoid
postprandial elevation, per CLSI and ADA guidelines. Shorter (A, B) risks
inaccurate highs; longer (D) may cause hypoglycemia.
6. What is the correct tourniquet application time to avoid
hemoconcentration? A. Up to 5 minutes B. 1 minute maximum C. 10 minutes D.
Indefinite
Answer: B. 1 minute maximum
Expert Rationale: Prolonged tourniquet (>1 min) causes hemoconcentration,
altering analytes like potassium (CLSI H3-A6). A and C increase error risk; D is
unsafe.
, 7. In an outpatient setting, how should a phlebotomist confirm identity for a
walk-in patient? A. Photo ID only B. Verbal confirmation and signature on
requisition C. Government-issued ID plus two identifiers D. Requisition form
alone
Answer: C. Government-issued ID plus two identifiers
Expert Rationale: Dual verification with ID prevents fraud/misidentification
(Joint Commission NPSG.01.01.01). A lacks verbal check; B omits ID; D risks
errors.
8. What site is contraindicated for venipuncture in a patient with IV therapy?
A. Opposite arm B. Same arm, distal to IV C. Same arm, proximal to IV D. Any
site
Answer: C. Same arm, proximal to IV
Expert Rationale: Proximal draws risk IV fluid contamination (CLSI). Opposite
(A) or distal (B) are acceptable; D ignores guidelines.
9. For a difficult draw in an obese patient, what alternative is first-line? A.
Immediate arterial puncture B. Switch to butterfly needle C. Skip the draw D. Use
larger gauge needle
Answer: B. Switch to butterfly needle
Expert Rationale: Butterflies access shallow veins better in obese patients (CLSI).
A risks complications; C delays care; D traumatizes tissue.
10. How should a phlebotomist handle a lost requisition form? A. Draw
without it B. Recreate from memory C. Obtain a new requisition from provider D.
Use patient's verbal order
Answer: C. Obtain a new requisition from provider
Expert Rationale: Requisitions ensure accurate testing (CLIA); drawing without
(A, B, D) risks errors/medicolegal issues.
11. What is the maximum number of venipuncture attempts allowed? A. 1 B.
2 C. Unlimited D. 3
