PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which vein is most commonly used for venipuncture?
A. Cephalic
B. Basilic
C. Median cubital
D. Dorsal hand
The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, well-anchored,
and less painful for the patient.
2. What is the first step before performing a venipuncture?
A. Apply tourniquet
B. Verify patient identity
C. Prepare equipment
D. Select the vein
Patient identification is critical to prevent errors and ensure patient
safety.
3. What is the primary purpose of a tourniquet?
A. Sterilize the area
B. Increase blood flow to the hand
C. Make veins more prominent
D. Stop bleeding
,Tourniquets temporarily restrict venous blood flow, making veins easier
to see and palpate.
4. When should gloves be removed after venipuncture?
A. After discarding sharps
B. After cleaning hands
C. Before applying bandage
D. Before labeling tubes
Gloves should be removed before hand hygiene to prevent
contamination.
5. Which additive prevents blood from clotting?
A. Thrombin
B. EDTA
C. Silica
D. Clot activator
EDTA binds calcium, preventing clot formation in blood samples.
6. Which color tube is used for coagulation studies?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Light blue
D. Lavender
Light blue-top tubes contain sodium citrate, which is used for
coagulation tests.
7. What is the proper angle of needle insertion for venipuncture?
A. 10–15°
B. 30–45°
C. 15–30°
D. 45–60°
A 15–30° angle ensures smooth entry into the vein while minimizing
discomfort.
, 8. Which of the following is considered a patient identifier?
A. Room number
B. Date of birth
C. Bandage color
D. Appointment time
Patient identifiers include name, date of birth, or assigned ID number.
9. What is the recommended order of draw?
A. Red, Lavender, Light blue
B. Green, Light blue, Red
C. Light blue, Red, Green, Lavender
D. Lavender, Red, Light blue
The order of draw prevents cross-contamination of additives between
tubes.
10. What should you do if a patient faints during venipuncture?
A. Continue with procedure
B. Remove needle and assist patient to lie down
C. Apply extra pressure to the puncture site
D. Ignore and finish drawing
Stopping the procedure and ensuring patient safety is the priority.
11. How should you label a blood specimen?
A. After sending to lab
B. After removing gloves
C. Before venipuncture
D. Immediately after collection
Labeling immediately prevents misidentification.
12. What is the primary concern when performing a heel stick on an
infant?
A. Vein location
B. Avoiding bone injury
CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which vein is most commonly used for venipuncture?
A. Cephalic
B. Basilic
C. Median cubital
D. Dorsal hand
The median cubital vein is preferred because it is large, well-anchored,
and less painful for the patient.
2. What is the first step before performing a venipuncture?
A. Apply tourniquet
B. Verify patient identity
C. Prepare equipment
D. Select the vein
Patient identification is critical to prevent errors and ensure patient
safety.
3. What is the primary purpose of a tourniquet?
A. Sterilize the area
B. Increase blood flow to the hand
C. Make veins more prominent
D. Stop bleeding
,Tourniquets temporarily restrict venous blood flow, making veins easier
to see and palpate.
4. When should gloves be removed after venipuncture?
A. After discarding sharps
B. After cleaning hands
C. Before applying bandage
D. Before labeling tubes
Gloves should be removed before hand hygiene to prevent
contamination.
5. Which additive prevents blood from clotting?
A. Thrombin
B. EDTA
C. Silica
D. Clot activator
EDTA binds calcium, preventing clot formation in blood samples.
6. Which color tube is used for coagulation studies?
A. Red
B. Green
C. Light blue
D. Lavender
Light blue-top tubes contain sodium citrate, which is used for
coagulation tests.
7. What is the proper angle of needle insertion for venipuncture?
A. 10–15°
B. 30–45°
C. 15–30°
D. 45–60°
A 15–30° angle ensures smooth entry into the vein while minimizing
discomfort.
, 8. Which of the following is considered a patient identifier?
A. Room number
B. Date of birth
C. Bandage color
D. Appointment time
Patient identifiers include name, date of birth, or assigned ID number.
9. What is the recommended order of draw?
A. Red, Lavender, Light blue
B. Green, Light blue, Red
C. Light blue, Red, Green, Lavender
D. Lavender, Red, Light blue
The order of draw prevents cross-contamination of additives between
tubes.
10. What should you do if a patient faints during venipuncture?
A. Continue with procedure
B. Remove needle and assist patient to lie down
C. Apply extra pressure to the puncture site
D. Ignore and finish drawing
Stopping the procedure and ensuring patient safety is the priority.
11. How should you label a blood specimen?
A. After sending to lab
B. After removing gloves
C. Before venipuncture
D. Immediately after collection
Labeling immediately prevents misidentification.
12. What is the primary concern when performing a heel stick on an
infant?
A. Vein location
B. Avoiding bone injury
