1|Page
CPT (CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY
TECH) NATIONAL EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A phlebotomist must choose the right tube color and additive for the corresponding
_______? - ✔✔Laboratory test
When a new lot # or kit is opened - ✔✔When should a phlebotomist perform external
liquid controls for quality control on a CLIA-waived point of care test?
1 to 2 minutes - ✔✔A phlebotomist is drawing 5 blood collection tubes. When should
the tourniquet be released?
Providone Iodine" - ✔✔What agent should a phlebotomist cleanse the skin with before
drawing blood cultures?
Blood cultures - ✔✔According to the CLSI order of draw guidelines, which of the
following samples should the phlebotomist collect first?
Blood cultures
coagulation
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,2|Page
electrolytes
glucose levels
SST (serum separator tube) - ✔✔Which of the following is appropriate to use when
collecting for a chemistry test that requires serum?
SST
SPS
EDTA
PST
saturate each circle - ✔✔After performing a heel puncture for neonatal screening, which
of the following is the correct procedure for collecting the blood?
Smear the blood on the circle
saturate each circle
touch the heel to the center of the circle
drop the blood on the circle
Release the tourniquet and stop the draw - ✔✔A phlebotomist observes a hematoma
developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The phlebotomist should??
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,3|Page
When a patient is tested - ✔✔When should the code on glucose cuvettes or strips be
compared to the code on the glucose meter?
Ask the patient when she last ate or drank - ✔✔The phlebotomist needs to draw a
glucose tolerance test (GTT) on a patient and notices an empty breakfast plate on the
bedside table. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?
EDTA - ✔✔Tubes with what additive should be used when collecting a sample for CBC
Arterial blood gases - ✔✔When preparing for transport, what specimens must be
placed into an ice bath within 30 minutes after collection?
An incorrect needle gauge - ✔✔Which of the following actions would result in a grossly
hemolyzed specimen?
An incorrect order of draw
applying the tourniquet too close to the draw site
failure to invert the tube
an incorrect needle gauge
Below the IV - ✔✔The phlebotomist must perform a blood draw on a patient with an IV
on the right side, and there has been a mastectomy on the left side. Where should the
phlebotomist perform the venipuncture?
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
, 4|Page
Don't draw until the nurse has attached a wristband to the patient - ✔✔Before collecting
blood on an inpatient, the phlebotomist notices that the patient does not have a
wristband on his wrist, but there is one attached to the patient's IV stand. Which of the
following is the proper action?
O2 levels - ✔✔A phlebotomist receives orders to draw an infant screening card, O2
levels, bilirubin and DNA. Which of the following should be drawn first?
Bilirubin
O2 levels
DNA
Screening card
The biohazard bag prevents a possible exposure incident - ✔✔Why is it important to
place a specimen in a biohazard specimen bag when transporting to an outside
laboratory?
15 to 30 degree angle - ✔✔Industry standard states that needle insertion in the
antecubital area should be at??
Dorsal veins - ✔✔Some older adults or obese patients may not have accessible
antecubital veins. In this situation, the phlebotomist may use which of the following?
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
CPT (CERTIFIED PHLEBOTOMY
TECH) NATIONAL EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A phlebotomist must choose the right tube color and additive for the corresponding
_______? - ✔✔Laboratory test
When a new lot # or kit is opened - ✔✔When should a phlebotomist perform external
liquid controls for quality control on a CLIA-waived point of care test?
1 to 2 minutes - ✔✔A phlebotomist is drawing 5 blood collection tubes. When should
the tourniquet be released?
Providone Iodine" - ✔✔What agent should a phlebotomist cleanse the skin with before
drawing blood cultures?
Blood cultures - ✔✔According to the CLSI order of draw guidelines, which of the
following samples should the phlebotomist collect first?
Blood cultures
coagulation
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,2|Page
electrolytes
glucose levels
SST (serum separator tube) - ✔✔Which of the following is appropriate to use when
collecting for a chemistry test that requires serum?
SST
SPS
EDTA
PST
saturate each circle - ✔✔After performing a heel puncture for neonatal screening, which
of the following is the correct procedure for collecting the blood?
Smear the blood on the circle
saturate each circle
touch the heel to the center of the circle
drop the blood on the circle
Release the tourniquet and stop the draw - ✔✔A phlebotomist observes a hematoma
developing at the site of a venous blood draw. The phlebotomist should??
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
,3|Page
When a patient is tested - ✔✔When should the code on glucose cuvettes or strips be
compared to the code on the glucose meter?
Ask the patient when she last ate or drank - ✔✔The phlebotomist needs to draw a
glucose tolerance test (GTT) on a patient and notices an empty breakfast plate on the
bedside table. Which of the following actions should the phlebotomist take?
EDTA - ✔✔Tubes with what additive should be used when collecting a sample for CBC
Arterial blood gases - ✔✔When preparing for transport, what specimens must be
placed into an ice bath within 30 minutes after collection?
An incorrect needle gauge - ✔✔Which of the following actions would result in a grossly
hemolyzed specimen?
An incorrect order of draw
applying the tourniquet too close to the draw site
failure to invert the tube
an incorrect needle gauge
Below the IV - ✔✔The phlebotomist must perform a blood draw on a patient with an IV
on the right side, and there has been a mastectomy on the left side. Where should the
phlebotomist perform the venipuncture?
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
, 4|Page
Don't draw until the nurse has attached a wristband to the patient - ✔✔Before collecting
blood on an inpatient, the phlebotomist notices that the patient does not have a
wristband on his wrist, but there is one attached to the patient's IV stand. Which of the
following is the proper action?
O2 levels - ✔✔A phlebotomist receives orders to draw an infant screening card, O2
levels, bilirubin and DNA. Which of the following should be drawn first?
Bilirubin
O2 levels
DNA
Screening card
The biohazard bag prevents a possible exposure incident - ✔✔Why is it important to
place a specimen in a biohazard specimen bag when transporting to an outside
laboratory?
15 to 30 degree angle - ✔✔Industry standard states that needle insertion in the
antecubital area should be at??
Dorsal veins - ✔✔Some older adults or obese patients may not have accessible
antecubital veins. In this situation, the phlebotomist may use which of the following?
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.
