NCCT Phlebotomy Practice Test
Questions with Correct Answers
Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take to decrease the potential for
hemolysis of a blood specimen in an EDTA tube?
a. store the tube in the refrigerator after the specimen has been collected
b. use a 25 gauge needle or smaller to collect the specimen
c. allow the tube to stand for 20 minutes prior to processing
d. gently invert the tube after collecting the specimen - Answer- d
At which of the following times should a test tube be labeled with the patient's
identification?
a. before entering the patient's room
b. after leaving the patient's room
c. while in the patient's room, before drawing the blood
d. while in the patient's room, after drawing the blood - Answer- d
The phlebotomist is drawing blood on an 88-year-old patient that has multiple skin tears.
Which of the following should be used to secure the 2 x 2 gauze sponge?
a. paper tape
b. adhesive tape
c. band aid
d. coban - Answer- d
Most laboratory testing errors occur during the...
a. analytical testing phase
b. data processing and record keeping phase
c. patient prep to lab arrival pre-analytical phase
d. post-analytical phase - Answer- c
A physician has ordered STAT hematology, chemistry, and coagulation tests on a
patient. Which of the following tubes are needed for these procedures? (Select the three
(3) correct answers.)
a. lavender
b. gray
c. light blue
d. green
e. yellow - Answer- a, c, d
,An immunization is currently available for prevention of which of the following
bloodborne diseases?
a. hepatitis C
b. HIV
c. herpes simplex
d. hepatitis B - Answer- d
Which of the following information is contraindicated for patient identification at the time
of draw?
a. insurance number
b. social security number
c. date of birth
d. full name - Answer- a
Which of the following is the CLSI recommended micro-collection order of draw for a
BMP, CBC and bilirubin?
a. lavender, green, red
b. green, lavender, red
c. lavender, red, green
d. red, green, lavender - Answer- a
How long should pressure be applied on the venipuncture site for a patient on
Coumadin therapy?
a. 1 min
b. 3 min
c. 5 min
d. 10 min - Answer- c
Which of the following standards are being violated when a phlebotomist fails to use
proper handwashing technique?
a. HIPAA
b. OSHA
c. CMS
d. NAACLS - Answer- b
Which of the following POC laboratory tests is within the CLIA defined scope of practice
for a phlebotomist?
a. cell differential and urine sediment
b. strep test and urine sediment
c. urine dip and cell differential
d. strep test and urine reagent strip - Answer- d
A phlebotomist puts evacuated tubes filled with blood in plastic transport bags and
places them in the physician office lock box for the reference lab courier who will pick
them up in 1-2 hours. The lock box is outside and the temperatures are below freezing.
How will freezing affect the test results?
, a. elevated hematocrit
b. decreased red blood cell count
c. elevated hemoglobin
d. decreased calcium - Answer- b
On the initial attempt the phlebotomist went through the vein, but was able to pull back
on the needle and successfully collect the specimen. Which of the following should the
phlebotomist do next?
a. explain to the patient that a bruise may be likely, but it should be gone within a few
days
b. apply pressure dressing and instruct the patient to leave. it on for 24 hours
c. have the patient hold pressure on the site for at least 10 minutes and notify the nurse
d. apply an ice pack to the site to minimize bleeding and prevent hematoma - Answer- a
During palpation of a large vessel in the forearm, the phlebotomist detects a vibration
sensation. The phlebotomist should then...
a. use a syringe blood collection set up with minimal plunger pressure
b. select a smaller gauge needle for the draw site
c. choose a different collection site
d. use a lower angle of penetration with a butterfly - Answer- c
To help prevent a hematoma at the site after drawing blood, which of the following
actions should the phlebotomist take?
a. ask the patient to make a fist
b. clean the. site with an alcohol prep
c. apply direct pressure with cotton gauze
d. have the patient bend the elbow to hold the cotton gauze on the site - Answer- c
The patient on hemodialysis with a left AV shunt has undergone a right sided
mastectomy and has an order for a STAT glucose. After consulting with the physician
the phlebotomist is told to perform a capillary draw. Which of the following sites should
the phlebotomist use?
a. right middle finger
b. left ring finger
c. left thumb
d. right little finger - Answer- b
The phlebotomist needs to draw a blood culture, sedimentation rate, PTT, and a
glucose test. Which of the following is the correct order of draw?
a. red, yellow, light blue, lavender
b. yellow, light blue, lavender, gray
c. gray, light blue, lavender, red
d. yellow, red, lavender, gray - Answer- b
The phlebotomist received a requisition for blood test on a 70-year-old female patient
with diabetes and a mastectomy of the left breast. Upon entering the room the
Questions with Correct Answers
Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take to decrease the potential for
hemolysis of a blood specimen in an EDTA tube?
a. store the tube in the refrigerator after the specimen has been collected
b. use a 25 gauge needle or smaller to collect the specimen
c. allow the tube to stand for 20 minutes prior to processing
d. gently invert the tube after collecting the specimen - Answer- d
At which of the following times should a test tube be labeled with the patient's
identification?
a. before entering the patient's room
b. after leaving the patient's room
c. while in the patient's room, before drawing the blood
d. while in the patient's room, after drawing the blood - Answer- d
The phlebotomist is drawing blood on an 88-year-old patient that has multiple skin tears.
Which of the following should be used to secure the 2 x 2 gauze sponge?
a. paper tape
b. adhesive tape
c. band aid
d. coban - Answer- d
Most laboratory testing errors occur during the...
a. analytical testing phase
b. data processing and record keeping phase
c. patient prep to lab arrival pre-analytical phase
d. post-analytical phase - Answer- c
A physician has ordered STAT hematology, chemistry, and coagulation tests on a
patient. Which of the following tubes are needed for these procedures? (Select the three
(3) correct answers.)
a. lavender
b. gray
c. light blue
d. green
e. yellow - Answer- a, c, d
,An immunization is currently available for prevention of which of the following
bloodborne diseases?
a. hepatitis C
b. HIV
c. herpes simplex
d. hepatitis B - Answer- d
Which of the following information is contraindicated for patient identification at the time
of draw?
a. insurance number
b. social security number
c. date of birth
d. full name - Answer- a
Which of the following is the CLSI recommended micro-collection order of draw for a
BMP, CBC and bilirubin?
a. lavender, green, red
b. green, lavender, red
c. lavender, red, green
d. red, green, lavender - Answer- a
How long should pressure be applied on the venipuncture site for a patient on
Coumadin therapy?
a. 1 min
b. 3 min
c. 5 min
d. 10 min - Answer- c
Which of the following standards are being violated when a phlebotomist fails to use
proper handwashing technique?
a. HIPAA
b. OSHA
c. CMS
d. NAACLS - Answer- b
Which of the following POC laboratory tests is within the CLIA defined scope of practice
for a phlebotomist?
a. cell differential and urine sediment
b. strep test and urine sediment
c. urine dip and cell differential
d. strep test and urine reagent strip - Answer- d
A phlebotomist puts evacuated tubes filled with blood in plastic transport bags and
places them in the physician office lock box for the reference lab courier who will pick
them up in 1-2 hours. The lock box is outside and the temperatures are below freezing.
How will freezing affect the test results?
, a. elevated hematocrit
b. decreased red blood cell count
c. elevated hemoglobin
d. decreased calcium - Answer- b
On the initial attempt the phlebotomist went through the vein, but was able to pull back
on the needle and successfully collect the specimen. Which of the following should the
phlebotomist do next?
a. explain to the patient that a bruise may be likely, but it should be gone within a few
days
b. apply pressure dressing and instruct the patient to leave. it on for 24 hours
c. have the patient hold pressure on the site for at least 10 minutes and notify the nurse
d. apply an ice pack to the site to minimize bleeding and prevent hematoma - Answer- a
During palpation of a large vessel in the forearm, the phlebotomist detects a vibration
sensation. The phlebotomist should then...
a. use a syringe blood collection set up with minimal plunger pressure
b. select a smaller gauge needle for the draw site
c. choose a different collection site
d. use a lower angle of penetration with a butterfly - Answer- c
To help prevent a hematoma at the site after drawing blood, which of the following
actions should the phlebotomist take?
a. ask the patient to make a fist
b. clean the. site with an alcohol prep
c. apply direct pressure with cotton gauze
d. have the patient bend the elbow to hold the cotton gauze on the site - Answer- c
The patient on hemodialysis with a left AV shunt has undergone a right sided
mastectomy and has an order for a STAT glucose. After consulting with the physician
the phlebotomist is told to perform a capillary draw. Which of the following sites should
the phlebotomist use?
a. right middle finger
b. left ring finger
c. left thumb
d. right little finger - Answer- b
The phlebotomist needs to draw a blood culture, sedimentation rate, PTT, and a
glucose test. Which of the following is the correct order of draw?
a. red, yellow, light blue, lavender
b. yellow, light blue, lavender, gray
c. gray, light blue, lavender, red
d. yellow, red, lavender, gray - Answer- b
The phlebotomist received a requisition for blood test on a 70-year-old female patient
with diabetes and a mastectomy of the left breast. Upon entering the room the
