CPT (CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY
TECHNICIAN – NHA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
1. What is the first step before performing a venipuncture?
A. Identify the patient using two identifiers
B. Apply the tourniquet
C. Select the needle
D. Label the tube
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Identify the patient using two identifiers
RATIONALE: Correct patient identification is the first critical safety step to prevent specimen
errors.
2. Which site is most commonly used for adult venipuncture?
A. Median cubital vein
B. Femoral artery
C. Radial artery
D. Dorsal foot vein only
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Median cubital vein
RATIONALE: The median cubital vein is large, stable, and less painful for patients.
3. What is the correct order of draw for blood collection?
A. Blood culture, light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
B. Gray, lavender, red, light blue
C. Red, gray, lavender, light blue
D. Lavender, green, red, gray
, CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood culture, light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
RATIONALE: Order of draw prevents additive contamination between tubes.
4. Which tube is used for coagulation studies (PT, INR)?
A. Light blue-top tube
B. Red-top tube
C. Lavender-top tube
D. Gray-top tube
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Light blue-top tube
RATIONALE: Contains sodium citrate which preserves clotting factors.
5. Which additive is found in a lavender-top tube?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium fluoride
C. Heparin
D. Citrate
CORRECT ANSWER: A — EDTA
RATIONALE: EDTA prevents clotting and preserves blood cell morphology.
6. What should you do if a patient faints during blood collection?
A. Lower the patient safely and call for help
B. Continue the procedure
C. Leave the patient alone
D. Give water immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Lower the patient safely and call for help
RATIONALE: Prevent injury and ensure patient safety immediately.
7. Which action prevents hemolysis during blood draw?
TECHNICIAN – NHA) CERTIFICATION
EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
1. What is the first step before performing a venipuncture?
A. Identify the patient using two identifiers
B. Apply the tourniquet
C. Select the needle
D. Label the tube
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Identify the patient using two identifiers
RATIONALE: Correct patient identification is the first critical safety step to prevent specimen
errors.
2. Which site is most commonly used for adult venipuncture?
A. Median cubital vein
B. Femoral artery
C. Radial artery
D. Dorsal foot vein only
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Median cubital vein
RATIONALE: The median cubital vein is large, stable, and less painful for patients.
3. What is the correct order of draw for blood collection?
A. Blood culture, light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
B. Gray, lavender, red, light blue
C. Red, gray, lavender, light blue
D. Lavender, green, red, gray
, CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood culture, light blue, red, green, lavender, gray
RATIONALE: Order of draw prevents additive contamination between tubes.
4. Which tube is used for coagulation studies (PT, INR)?
A. Light blue-top tube
B. Red-top tube
C. Lavender-top tube
D. Gray-top tube
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Light blue-top tube
RATIONALE: Contains sodium citrate which preserves clotting factors.
5. Which additive is found in a lavender-top tube?
A. EDTA
B. Sodium fluoride
C. Heparin
D. Citrate
CORRECT ANSWER: A — EDTA
RATIONALE: EDTA prevents clotting and preserves blood cell morphology.
6. What should you do if a patient faints during blood collection?
A. Lower the patient safely and call for help
B. Continue the procedure
C. Leave the patient alone
D. Give water immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Lower the patient safely and call for help
RATIONALE: Prevent injury and ensure patient safety immediately.
7. Which action prevents hemolysis during blood draw?
