NHCO Phlebotomy Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer c. To ensure proper mixing of blood
and additive
Which of the following protects a patient's information?
a. OSHA
b. HIPPA
c. The Joint Commission
d. AAHSA - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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
d. Stock rotation - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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.
d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase the explanation and invite the patient to ask any clarifying questions. - Correct Answer 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) - Correct Answer 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. - Correct Answer 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%
c. 5% - 7%
d. 10% - Correct Answer b. 1% - 5%
Which of the following is the proper way a phlebotomist should dispose of a needle?
a. The phlebotomist should recap it with the original white lid with the opposite hand and
put it in a sharps container.
b. The phlebotomist should throw it, recapped, into a biohazard bag.
c. The phlebotomist should put it into a sharps container, SAFETY CAPPED, after withdrawing it from the patient's arm.
d. The phlebotomist should collect them in a cup for disposal at the end of the day. - Correct Answer c. The phlebotomist should put it into a sharps container, SAFETY CAPPED, after withdrawing it from the patient's arm.
When drawing blood from a patient who has a contagious pathogen, like COVID-19, which PPE provides the best protection for a phlebotomist?
a. Surgical mask
b. Gown
c. Double gloves
d. Respirator - Correct Answer a. Surgical mask
How should vitamin B6 be transported in order to protect its photosensitive nature?
a. It should be transported on ice
b. It should be transported at room temperature, no additional precaution needed
c. It should be transported in an air-tight container, no additional precaution needed
d. It should be transported in an amber or brown-colored biohazard bag - Correct Answer d. It should be transported in an amber or brown-colored biohazard bag
Before asking permission to obtain a specimen from a patient, a phlebotomist should:
Correct Answers
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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer c. To ensure proper mixing of blood
and additive
Which of the following protects a patient's information?
a. OSHA
b. HIPPA
c. The Joint Commission
d. AAHSA - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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
d. Stock rotation - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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 - Correct Answer 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.
d. The phlebotomist should find another way to phrase the explanation and invite the patient to ask any clarifying questions. - Correct Answer 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) - Correct Answer 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. - Correct Answer 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%
c. 5% - 7%
d. 10% - Correct Answer b. 1% - 5%
Which of the following is the proper way a phlebotomist should dispose of a needle?
a. The phlebotomist should recap it with the original white lid with the opposite hand and
put it in a sharps container.
b. The phlebotomist should throw it, recapped, into a biohazard bag.
c. The phlebotomist should put it into a sharps container, SAFETY CAPPED, after withdrawing it from the patient's arm.
d. The phlebotomist should collect them in a cup for disposal at the end of the day. - Correct Answer c. The phlebotomist should put it into a sharps container, SAFETY CAPPED, after withdrawing it from the patient's arm.
When drawing blood from a patient who has a contagious pathogen, like COVID-19, which PPE provides the best protection for a phlebotomist?
a. Surgical mask
b. Gown
c. Double gloves
d. Respirator - Correct Answer a. Surgical mask
How should vitamin B6 be transported in order to protect its photosensitive nature?
a. It should be transported on ice
b. It should be transported at room temperature, no additional precaution needed
c. It should be transported in an air-tight container, no additional precaution needed
d. It should be transported in an amber or brown-colored biohazard bag - Correct Answer d. It should be transported in an amber or brown-colored biohazard bag
Before asking permission to obtain a specimen from a patient, a phlebotomist should:
