NHA Phlebotomy Technician
Certification Exam
What is the purpose of the principles of workplace safety laid down by OSHA and NIOSH? -
correct answer To protect workers from exposure to workplace hazards
Biological hazards - correct answer hazards such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, parasites, mold,
sewage, vectors, etc.
Chemical hazards - correct answer non-biologic hazardous substances that cause local and
systemic adverse reactions. Examples include reagents, chemical solutions, drugs, radioactive
substances, acids, alkalis, and others.
Physical hazards - correct answer Hazardous environmental factors that put an individual at
risk. Examples include heights, sound, light, heat, and pressure.
Ergonomic hazards - correct answer Workplace hazards that are physical factors which can
affect posture and balance and cause musculoskeletal injuries. Examples include poor sitting
and standing postures, ill-fitting work chairs and desks, constant bending, pulling, squatting,
and others.
Safety hazards - correct answer Workplaces hazards that are factores which make the working
environment unsafe. Examples include exposed wires, faulty machines and work surfaces,
sockets and wiring, poor lighting, and others.
Psychosocial hazards - correct answer Workplace hazards which harm the employee's mental
wellbeing. Examples include discrimination, racism, bullying, sexual harrassment, and others.
What does OSHA stand for? - correct answer Occupational Safety and Health Administration
What domain do workplace hazards fall under? - correct answer Safety and Compliance
How is each domain tested? - correct answer Candidates are asked task and knowledge
focused questions pertaining to each domain.
What are the two types of blood sampling systems? - correct answer Open systems and closed
systems
Closed systems - correct answer Used for most routine blood sampling. These include the use
of hypodermic needles and syringes or the use of a vacuum extraction tube system.
Open systems - correct answer These include the use of hypodermic needles and syringes that
have a winged steel needle attached to it.
What does HIPAA stand for? - correct answer The Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act
,NHA Phlebotomy Technician
Certification Exam
When was HIPAA created? - correct answer 1996
What is HIPAA? - correct answer HIPAA is a component of federal laws requiring all medical
records, including electronic and paper records, be kept in confidence and according to the
specific principles of the law.
What is performing laboratory quality control? - correct answer This includes measures,
principles, and practices done to remove the risk of error and other non-conforming outcomes.
They ensure the possibility of generating accurate, prompt laboratory results.
What are quality control measures used for? - correct answer Quality control measures are
used to eliminate errors that can occur in the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic stages to
ensure the generation of accurate, prompt lab results
Pre-analytic errors - correct answer Errors that occur during the collection, transport, and
preparation of test samples.
What are examples of pre-analytic errors? - correct answer Sample mix-ups, mislabeling,
improper collection, storage, and transportation of samples.
What are quality control measures used to eliminate errors in the pre-analytic stage? - correct
answer The proper collection of blood samples by adhering to the principles of standard
operations, accurate labeling and transportation of specimens, accurate transportation of test
materials in their appropriate containers and at the right temperatures. It also involves the
appropriate transportation of infectious and toxic samples.
Analytic errors - correct answer Laboratory errors which occur during testing and
experimentation
When can analytic errors occur? - correct answer This can occur during the use of incorrect
reagents, the use of defective and non-calibrated equipment, and failure to adhere to the
standard operating procedures.
What are quality control measures taken to eliminate errors in the analytic stage? - correct
answer Proper calibration of all laboratory equipment, inventory of reagents (including their
expiration dates), use of test controls, and appropriate sanctioning of personnel who violate the
principles of standard operating procedures.
Post analytic errors - correct answer Errors that occur during the calculation, recording, and
interpretation of results.
,NHA Phlebotomy Technician
Certification Exam
What quality control measures can be used to reduce the risk of post-analytical errors? -
correct answer The use of appropriate personnel to record and interpret results, and the use of
electronic calculations
What identifying characteristics must sharps' containers have according to OSHA's Bloodborne
Pathogen Standard? - correct answer Sharps' containers must either be labeled with the
universal hazard symbol or color-coded red.
When should the contents of a sharps' container be disposed of? - correct answer When the
container is 2/3rds full and/or when contents reach the fill line.
What can sharps' containers be made out of? - correct answer Sharps' containers can be made
from cardboard, plastic, steel, or polymers, as long as they are closable, puncture-resistant,
leak-proof, and properly labeled or color-coded
According to OSHA standards, what is classified as biohazards/regulated waste? - correct
answer A. Liquid and semi-liquid blood and other infectious materials
B. Items that are contaminated with blood and other infectious materials, especially those that
can release blood and infectious meterials when compressed
C. Items that are caked with blood or OPIMs and are able to release these substances when
handled
D. Contaminated sharps and other pathologic wastes containing blood or other infectious
materials
OSHA requires what characteristics of regulated waste disposal containers? - correct answer 1.
Closable
2. Built to contain contents and prevent leakage during handling and transportation
3. Labeled or color-coded appropriately
4. Closed before removal to prevent the spillage of contents
What are the OSHA developed criteria for an exposure control plan? - correct answer 1. plan
must be written specifically for the facility
2. plan must be updated and reviewed at least once a year
3. plan must use technology that reduces exposure to blood and other body fluids
4. plan must be readily available to all employees
, NHA Phlebotomy Technician
Certification Exam
5. workers must be regularly trained and updated on the use of the plan
What is an exposure control plan? - correct answer A plan used for individuals who are
exposed to infectious bloodborne pathogens
What is the exposure determination principle in an exposure control plan? - correct answer
Exposure determination - the plan should include names, departments, and assigned tasks of
every employee who is at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens
What are the three types of transmission-based precautions? - correct answer Contact
precaution, Droplet precaution, and Airborne precaution
What are contact precautions? - correct answer This is used to prevent the transmission of
pathogens that are spread by direct and indirect contact (norovirus, rotavirus, parasitic
infections like lice and scabies)
What are the safety measures followed to facilitate contact precautions? - correct answer 1.
Wearing gloves and gowns when in contact with the patient as well as surfaces and objects
within the patient's environment
2. Disinfecting reusable items before they are removed from the environment
3. Discarding disposable materials at the point of use
4. Observing standard protocol
What are droplet precautions? - correct answer pracautions used to prevent pathogens that
are transmitted by droplets (influenza, meningococcal disease, A. streptococcus, etc)
What are examples of illnesses that require droplet precautions? - correct answer rhinovirus,
pertussis, influenza, A. streptococcus, meningoccal disease
List the droplet precautions phlebotomists should follow when performing a blood draw on a
patient with influenza. - correct answer 1. Wear a surgical mask when within three feet of the
individual.
2. Observe standard protocol.
What are airborne precautions? - correct answer Precautions used to prevent the transmission
of pathogens spread by fine particles(aerosols and droplet nuclei) dispersed by air
currents(measles, SARS, TB, etc.)
What are examples of airborne pathogens? - correct answer Measles, SARS, tuberculosis
