NHCO PHLEBOTOMY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Which of the following is the best indication that a patient might be at risk of syncope?
a. Involuntary movement
b. Lightheadedness and shallow breath
c. Small red spots appearing on skin
d. Paleness and sweating - ANS d. Paleness and sweating
Why is it important for a phlebotomist to invert anticoagulant tubes?
a. To prevent a pH imbalance
b. To prevent hemolysis
c. To ensure proper mixing of blood and additive
d. To prevent hemoconcentration - ANS c. To ensure proper mixing of blood and additive
Which of the following protects a patient's information?
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a. OSHA
b. HIPPA
c. The Joint Commission
d. AAHSA - ANS b. HIPPA
Which of the following needle sizes is NOT used for laboratory assays but for collection of donor
units of blood?
a. 18-gauge
b. 23-gague
c. 21-gague
d. 22-gague - ANS a. 18-gauge
How many minutes within collection of a urine sample should the phlebotomist take the
temperature of the specimen?
a. Within 10 minutes
b. Within 45 minutes
c. Within 30 seconds
d. Within 4 minutes - ANS d. Within 4 minutes
Quality control checklists ensure machines are inspected for compliance at time intervals
specific to the equipment and ________.
a. Clinical application
b. Chemical measurement
c. Expiration date
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Stock rotation - ANS a. Clinical application
Which of the following actions will most likely prevent a needle stick injury?
a. Having a nurse or other healthcare team member dispose of used needles for the
phlebotomist
b. Replacing sharps containers when they have reached their fill line
c. Recapping every needle prior to discarding it in the sharps container
d. Wearing rubber gloves during venipuncture - ANS b. Replacing sharps containers when
they have reached their fill line
Which of the following pieces of information need to be on a laboratory requisition form before
a phlebotomist should proceed with obtaining a blood specimen?
a. The patient's status as an organ donor
b. A specimen identification code
c. A laboratory's CLIA number
d. The patient's emergency contact - ANS b. A specimen identification code
A patient is listening to a phlebotomist explain the venipuncture process before initiating the
blood draw. The patient communicates their understanding but seems hesitant and confused.
How should the phlebotomist handle the situation?
a. The phlebotomist should surmise that the patient has heard enough information and get
ready to draw the patient's blood.
b. The phlebotomist should leave the room and ask for another doctor or nurse to explain the
procedure.
c. The phlebotomist should repeat the same explanation in a slower voice.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase the explanation and invite the patient to
ask any clarifying questions. - ANS d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase
the explanation and invite the patient to ask any clarifying questions.
The additive in a Pink Top Tube used in blood banking is which of the following?
a. Sodium polyanethole sulfonate (SPS)
b. Sodium heparin
c. Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
d. Acid citrate dextrose (ACD) - ANS c. Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
If a patient verbally or physically refuses a venipuncture procedure, the phlebotomist should do
which of the following?
a. The phlebotomist should inform the patient that they will still be reasonable to pay for the
procedure.
b. The phlebotomist should re-explain the procedure in case the patient did not understand.
c. The phlebotomist should inform the patient that they will need to reschedule their
appointment.
d. The phlebotomist should immediately report the refusal and actions taken to their supervisor.
- ANS d. The phlebotomist should immediately report the refusal and actions taken to their
supervisor.
What is the recommended allowance for a total volume of blood drawn from a patient within a
24-hr period?
a. 0.05% - 1%
b. 1% - 5%
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2025/2026.
Which of the following is the best indication that a patient might be at risk of syncope?
a. Involuntary movement
b. Lightheadedness and shallow breath
c. Small red spots appearing on skin
d. Paleness and sweating - ANS d. Paleness and sweating
Why is it important for a phlebotomist to invert anticoagulant tubes?
a. To prevent a pH imbalance
b. To prevent hemolysis
c. To ensure proper mixing of blood and additive
d. To prevent hemoconcentration - ANS c. To ensure proper mixing of blood and additive
Which of the following protects a patient's information?
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,a. OSHA
b. HIPPA
c. The Joint Commission
d. AAHSA - ANS b. HIPPA
Which of the following needle sizes is NOT used for laboratory assays but for collection of donor
units of blood?
a. 18-gauge
b. 23-gague
c. 21-gague
d. 22-gague - ANS a. 18-gauge
How many minutes within collection of a urine sample should the phlebotomist take the
temperature of the specimen?
a. Within 10 minutes
b. Within 45 minutes
c. Within 30 seconds
d. Within 4 minutes - ANS d. Within 4 minutes
Quality control checklists ensure machines are inspected for compliance at time intervals
specific to the equipment and ________.
a. Clinical application
b. Chemical measurement
c. Expiration date
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Stock rotation - ANS a. Clinical application
Which of the following actions will most likely prevent a needle stick injury?
a. Having a nurse or other healthcare team member dispose of used needles for the
phlebotomist
b. Replacing sharps containers when they have reached their fill line
c. Recapping every needle prior to discarding it in the sharps container
d. Wearing rubber gloves during venipuncture - ANS b. Replacing sharps containers when
they have reached their fill line
Which of the following pieces of information need to be on a laboratory requisition form before
a phlebotomist should proceed with obtaining a blood specimen?
a. The patient's status as an organ donor
b. A specimen identification code
c. A laboratory's CLIA number
d. The patient's emergency contact - ANS b. A specimen identification code
A patient is listening to a phlebotomist explain the venipuncture process before initiating the
blood draw. The patient communicates their understanding but seems hesitant and confused.
How should the phlebotomist handle the situation?
a. The phlebotomist should surmise that the patient has heard enough information and get
ready to draw the patient's blood.
b. The phlebotomist should leave the room and ask for another doctor or nurse to explain the
procedure.
c. The phlebotomist should repeat the same explanation in a slower voice.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase the explanation and invite the patient to
ask any clarifying questions. - ANS d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase
the explanation and invite the patient to ask any clarifying questions.
The additive in a Pink Top Tube used in blood banking is which of the following?
a. Sodium polyanethole sulfonate (SPS)
b. Sodium heparin
c. Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
d. Acid citrate dextrose (ACD) - ANS c. Potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
If a patient verbally or physically refuses a venipuncture procedure, the phlebotomist should do
which of the following?
a. The phlebotomist should inform the patient that they will still be reasonable to pay for the
procedure.
b. The phlebotomist should re-explain the procedure in case the patient did not understand.
c. The phlebotomist should inform the patient that they will need to reschedule their
appointment.
d. The phlebotomist should immediately report the refusal and actions taken to their supervisor.
- ANS d. The phlebotomist should immediately report the refusal and actions taken to their
supervisor.
What is the recommended allowance for a total volume of blood drawn from a patient within a
24-hr period?
a. 0.05% - 1%
b. 1% - 5%
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
