NWCA CCMA EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Which laboratory test result is affected most if the patient is NOT fasting?
a. Testosterone
b. Cortisol
c. Triglycerides
d. ACTH - Answers - c. Triglycerides
Hemolysis in collected blood can cause a falsely decreased value for:
a. Total protein
b. Ammonia
c. Phosphorus
d. Hemoglobin - Answers - d. Hemoglobin
When a patient has "difficult" veins, what strategies, if any, can be used to improve the
likelihood of a successful puncture?
a. Slight rotation of the patient's arm to a different position
b. Warming the site
c. Palpating the entire antecubital area to trace vein path
d. All of the above - Answers - d. All of the above
During the venipuncture procedure, what should the phlebotomist do after the needle is
inserted and blood begins to flow?
a. Adjust the hub of the needle
b. Withdraw the needle
c. Release the tourniquet about half-way through the procedure
d. Release the adpater - Answers - c. Release the tourniquet about half-way through the
procedure
Steps in the identification process for a phlebotomy procedure for a patient should
include:
a. A 2-way match with the ID bracelet and the verbal confirmation
b. A 4-way match with the doctor, verbal ID, ID bracelet, and bed number
c. A 3-way match with verbal, ID bracelet, and requisition information
d. Checking the verbal identification with a room number - Answers - c. A 3-way match
with verbal, ID bracelet, and requisition information
Approximately how many minutes does it take for a specimen without additive to clot?
a. 10
b. 15
, c. 30
d. 60 - Answers - d. 60
Yellow top tubes are used to collect blood for:
a. Blood gases
b. Blood cultures
c. PT
d. CK - Answers - b. Blood cultures
After the needle is inserted for a venipuncture and the blood begins to squirt out in
pulses, this might indicate that:
a. The patient has petechiae
b. An artery has been penetrated by the needle
c. A vein has been penetrated by the needle
d. The patient has a low red blood cell count - Answers - b. An artery has been
penetrated by the needle
If a patient is obese, what special equipment, if any, would be helpful in the specimen
collection process?
a. Specially sized collection tubes
b. A large blood pressure cuff
c. An oxygen mask in case of fainting
d. No special equipment should be needed - Answers - b. A large blood pressure cuff
What is the vacuum blood collection tube of choice for CBC blood collection?
a. Gray top tube
b. Yellow top tube
c. Purple top tube
d. Red top tube - Answers - c. Purple top tube
11. What is the anticoagulant of choice for coagulation blood studies?
a. Sodium oxalate
b. Sodium citrate
c. EDTA
d. Potassium oxalate - Answers - b. Sodium citrate
A solid mass derived from blood constituents that occludes a blood vessel is a:
a. Lymphostasis
b. Thrombus
Which laboratory test result is affected most if the patient is NOT fasting?
a. Testosterone
b. Cortisol
c. Triglycerides
d. ACTH - Answers - c. Triglycerides
Hemolysis in collected blood can cause a falsely decreased value for:
a. Total protein
b. Ammonia
c. Phosphorus
d. Hemoglobin - Answers - d. Hemoglobin
When a patient has "difficult" veins, what strategies, if any, can be used to improve the
likelihood of a successful puncture?
a. Slight rotation of the patient's arm to a different position
b. Warming the site
c. Palpating the entire antecubital area to trace vein path
d. All of the above - Answers - d. All of the above
During the venipuncture procedure, what should the phlebotomist do after the needle is
inserted and blood begins to flow?
a. Adjust the hub of the needle
b. Withdraw the needle
c. Release the tourniquet about half-way through the procedure
d. Release the adpater - Answers - c. Release the tourniquet about half-way through the
procedure
Steps in the identification process for a phlebotomy procedure for a patient should
include:
a. A 2-way match with the ID bracelet and the verbal confirmation
b. A 4-way match with the doctor, verbal ID, ID bracelet, and bed number
c. A 3-way match with verbal, ID bracelet, and requisition information
d. Checking the verbal identification with a room number - Answers - c. A 3-way match
with verbal, ID bracelet, and requisition information
Approximately how many minutes does it take for a specimen without additive to clot?
a. 10
b. 15
, c. 30
d. 60 - Answers - d. 60
Yellow top tubes are used to collect blood for:
a. Blood gases
b. Blood cultures
c. PT
d. CK - Answers - b. Blood cultures
After the needle is inserted for a venipuncture and the blood begins to squirt out in
pulses, this might indicate that:
a. The patient has petechiae
b. An artery has been penetrated by the needle
c. A vein has been penetrated by the needle
d. The patient has a low red blood cell count - Answers - b. An artery has been
penetrated by the needle
If a patient is obese, what special equipment, if any, would be helpful in the specimen
collection process?
a. Specially sized collection tubes
b. A large blood pressure cuff
c. An oxygen mask in case of fainting
d. No special equipment should be needed - Answers - b. A large blood pressure cuff
What is the vacuum blood collection tube of choice for CBC blood collection?
a. Gray top tube
b. Yellow top tube
c. Purple top tube
d. Red top tube - Answers - c. Purple top tube
11. What is the anticoagulant of choice for coagulation blood studies?
a. Sodium oxalate
b. Sodium citrate
c. EDTA
d. Potassium oxalate - Answers - b. Sodium citrate
A solid mass derived from blood constituents that occludes a blood vessel is a:
a. Lymphostasis
b. Thrombus
