NHA CPT study guide

Question 1

Which of the following test results are affected when a phlebotomy technician uses povidone-iodine to cleanse a site for a dermal puncture?

Accepted Answer

Coagulation studies

Answer

Glucose

Answer

Blood urea nitrogen

Answer

Potassium

Question 2

After exiting a patient's room, which of the following is the last piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) a phlebotomy technician should remove?

Accepted Answer

Mask

Answer

Gown

Answer

Gloves

Answer

Protective eyewear

Question 3

After verifying a patient's identity, a phlebotomy technician sees that the patient's laboratory results are ready. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Inform the patient to contact the ordering provider to obtain the results

Answer

Have a laboratory manager discuss the results with the patient

Answer

Have a nurse interpret the results for the patient

Answer

Explain the results to the patient in a private exam room

Question 4

A phlebotomy technician should select a tube that has which of the following anticoagulants to collect a sample for a PT/PTT test?

Accepted Answer

Sodium citrate

Answer

EDTA

Answer

Potassium oxalate

Answer

Heparin

Question 5

A phlebotomy technician is using an evacuated needle holder and blood collection tubes to collect blood from a patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Push the first collection tube gently into the holder

Answer

Position the needle at 45 degree angle to the skin

Answer

Insert the needle with the bevel side facing downward

Answer

Palpate below the puncture site if blood flow is not established

Question 6

A phlebotomy technician is disposing of used supplies when he accidentally receives a needlestick injury. According to OSHA guidelines, which of the following actions should the technician take first?

Accepted Answer

Wash the puncture site with soap and water

Answer

Seek out counseling about the incident

Answer

Go to a medical facility for evaluation

Answer

Report the incident to the supervisor

Question 7

When should a phlebotomy technician perform external liquid controls for quality control on a CLIA-waived glucose point-of-care test?

Accepted Answer

When a new lot number or kit is opened

Answer

With every patient

Answer

Every week the test is performed

Answer

When a different technician performs the test

Question 8

A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture for a patient who begins to seize. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Discontinue the draw

Answer

Insert a tongue depressor into the patient's mouth

Answer

Place the patient in the prone position

Answer

Restrain the patient

Question 9

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient's arm and observes a sore at the site where the tourniquet is to be placed. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Tie the tourniquet over the patient's sleeve

Answer

Keep the tourniquet on the patient's arm for 2min

Answer

Use a slip tourniquet

Answer

Position the tourniquet distal to the antecubital area

Question 10

Which of the following tubes should a phlebotomy technician collect first when obtaining dermal samples?

Accepted Answer

Lavender top

Answer

Green top

Answer

Red top

Answer

Light blue top

Question 11

Prior to transport, which of the following specimens should a phlebotomy technician place in an ice bath within 30 min after collection?

Accepted Answer

Arterial blood gas

Answer

Cold agglutinin

Answer

Cryoglobulin

Answer

Blood culture

Question 12

A phlebotomy technician is preparing several specimens for transport to the facility's laboratory. Which of the following specimens should the technician protect from bright light by placing it in an amber/brown biohazard bag for transport?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B6

Answer

Lactic acid

Answer

Blood gas

Answer

Ammonia

Question 13

A phlebotomy technician is preparing a peripheral blood smear from a patient's capillary blood. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Use the second drop of blood that emerges from the puncture

Answer

Select the patient's index finger for the capillary blood draw

Answer

Position the puncture device so it cuts along the lines of the fingerprint

Answer

Touch the slide to the blood at least 3.8 cm (1.5 in) from the end of the slide

Question 14

A phlebotomy technician is using the syringe method to obtain a blood culture specimen from an adult patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Withdraw the blood into a sterile safety syringe

Answer

Scrub the insertion site with isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds

Answer

Collect a total of 10 mL of blood from the patient

Answer

Transfer blood to the aerobic culture bottle first

Question 15

A phlebotomy technician is collecting blood from a patient for donation. The collection bag only fills halfway, and the vein collapses. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Use a new collection bag to draw a new unit of blood

Answer

Mark the collection bag as half full

Answer

Continue filling the collection bag from an alternate site

Answer

Combine two separate collection bags to make a whole

Question 16

A phlebotomy technician is applying a tourniquet prior to collecting a blood specimen from a patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Tuck a partial loop of tourniquet underneath the tourniquet

Answer

Place the tourniquet 5 cm (2 in) above the antecubital space

Answer

Allow space for two fingers beneath the tourniquet

Answer

Release the tourniquet after the blood tube is full

Question 17

According to OSHA standards, which of the following vaccines must employers offer to their phlebotomists at no cost?

Accepted Answer

Hepatitis B

Answer

Hepatitis C

Answer

Hepatitis D

Answer

Hepatitis E

Question 18

A phlebotomist technician uses alcohol to cleanse a venipuncture site. Before performing the venipuncture, the technician should allow the site to dry for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol requires time for antiseptic action to take effect

Answer

Alcohol destroys white blood cells

Answer

Alcohol compromises the additives in the tubes

Answer

Alcohol dilutes the blood specimen

Question 19

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient who states that this is his first blood draw. Which of the following action should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Describe the procedure to the patient

Answer

Explain the reason the test was ordered

Answer

Inform the patient of possible complications of the procedure

Answer

Show the patient the gauge of the needle

Question 20

A phlebotomy technician should identify that which of the following colors signifies a health hazard in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Marking System?

Accepted Answer

Blue

Answer

Red

Answer

White

Answer

Yellow

Question 21

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient. To avoid hemolysis, which of the following precautions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the alcohol at the insertion site has dried

Answer

Leave the tourniquet in place for 90 seconds

Answer

Shake the tube after filling it with the patient's blood

Answer

Readjust the needle after insertion

Question 22

Which of the following collection tubes should a phlebotomy technician use when collecting for a routine chemistry test that requires serum?

Accepted Answer

SST

Answer

EDTA

Answer

PST

Answer

SPS

Question 23

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to obtain a blood specimen from a patient for thyroid studies. The technician should select a collection tube that has a top with which of the following color?

Accepted Answer

Speckled

Answer

Gray

Answer

Green

Answer

Light blue

Question 24

How frequently should a phlebotomy technician perform a quality control test on a glucometer in the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Every day the meter is used

Answer

Every month the meter is used

Answer

Every week the meter is used

Answer

Every 6 months the meter is used

Question 25

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to obtain a blood specimen to determine a patient's sodium level. The technician should select a collection tube that has a top with which of the following colors?

Accepted Answer

Green

Answer

Lavender

Answer

Gray

Answer

Yellow

Question 26

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient who has pneumonia. Besides gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the technician wear?

Accepted Answer

Mask

Answer

Goggles

Answer

Gown

Answer

N95 respirator

Question 27

For which of the following reasons should a phlebotomy technician centrifuge a serum specimen before transport to an outside reference laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Cells must be separated from the serum

Answer

Cells will hemolyze

Answer

Platelets must be separated from the serum

Answer

White blood cell levels will be elevated

Question 28

A phlebotomy technician has a requisition form to perform a chromosome analysis for a patient. The technician should select a collection tube that contains which of the following additives?

Accepted Answer

Heparin

Answer

Sodium polyanethol sulfonate

Answer

Thrombin

Answer

Sodium citrate

Question 29

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to enter a patient's room to collect a blood specimen. Which of the following actions should the technician plan to take?

Accepted Answer

Communicate name and department affiliation to the patient

Answer

Knock firmly on the patient's door

Answer

Speak in a loud tone when addressing the patient

Answer

Place the specimen collection tray on the patient's bed

Question 30

A phlebotomy technician is using a point-of-care test system to determine a patient's WBC count. For which of the following results should the technician immediately notify the provider?

Accepted Answer

1.8/mm^3

Answer

4.6/mm^3

Answer

&.4/mm^3

Answer

10.8/mm^3

Question 31

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient who has cutaneous diphtheria. Besides gloves, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment should the technician wear?

Accepted Answer

Gown

Answer

Mask

Answer

Goggles

Answer

N95 respirator

Question 32

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw a peak level for a medication that was administered orally to a patient. After verifying when the patient received the medication, how long should the technician wait prior to attempting the draw?

Accepted Answer

2 hr after administration

Answer

30 min after adminstration

Answer

15 min after administration

Answer

4 hr after administration

Question 33

A phlebotomy technician is drawing a patient's blood when the patient states that she is becoming dizzy and light-headed. Which of the following actions should the technician take first?

Accepted Answer

Remove the tourniquet and needle

Answer

Place the patient's head between her legs

Answer

Call other medical personnel for help

Answer

Instruct the patient to breathe deeply

Question 34

For which of the following reasons should a phlebotomy technician examine the antecubital areas in both of a patient's arms?

Accepted Answer

The median cubital vein could be more accessible on one side than the other

Answer

The median cubital vein on the dominant arm tends to be anchored better

Answer

The median cubital vein in the nondominant arm tends to be inaccessible

Answer

The median cubital vein could bruise more easily on one side than the other

Question 35

A phlebotomy technician is performing a total cholesterol point-of-care test for a patient. Which of the following findings should the technician immediately report to the provider?

Accepted Answer

300 mg/dL

Answer

200 mg/dL

Answer

180 mg/dL

Answer

140 mg/dL

Question 36

A phlebotomy technician receives a chemical splash to his forearm. After removing his contaminated clothing, which of the following is the minimum amount of time the technician should rinse the affected area?

Accepted Answer

15 min

Answer

3 min

Answer

5 min

Answer

10 min

Question 37

A phlebotomy technician should identify that the order of draw for capillary collections is different from venipuncture for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

An increased risk of coagulation

Answer

The risk of hemoconcentration

Answer

Smaller size of specimens

Answer

Additive of cross-contamination

Question 38

A phlebotomy technician observes a hematoma developing at the site of a venous blood draw. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Release the tourniquet and stop the draw

Answer

Observe the site to see if the hematoma worsens

Answer

Ask the patient to apply pressure to the area

Answer

Call for a nurse to assess the patient's condition

Question 39

A phlebotomy technician is planning to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. Which of the following instructions should the technician give the patient?

Accepted Answer

"Breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container."

Answer

"Rinse your mouth with mouthwash before we collect the specimens."

Answer

"Gargle some water before we collect the specimen."

Answer

"Leave your dentures in during specimen collection."

Question 40

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a small vein of an older adult patient. Which of the following actions should the technician take to keep the vein from collapsing?

Accepted Answer

Use a small needle for the draw

Answer

Use a large evacuated tube for the draw

Answer

Pull the syringe's plunger back quickly

Answer

Probe the vein with the needle

Question 41

A phlebotomy technician should select a tube that has which of the following additives when collecting a blood specimen for a CBC?

Accepted Answer

EDTA

Answer

SST

Answer

Lithium heparin

Answer

Sodium citrate

Question 42

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a urine specimen from a patient for a pre-employment drug test. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Verify that the specimen contains at least 45 mL of urine

Answer

Ensure the specimen is within a temperature range of 21.1 to 26.6 degree C (69.9 to 79.8 degree F)

Answer

Take the temperature of the specimen within 8 min of collection

Answer

Instruct the patient to flush the toilet after filling the collection container

Question 43

A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture using a winged infusion set. The red-topped tube fills, but the light blue-topped tube slows and does not fill completely. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Insert a new light blue-topped tube to see if it will fill

Answer

Tell the patient that another venipuncture will need to be performed

Answer

Write "insufficient quantity" on the requisition form

Answer

Submit the partially filled light blue-topped tube to the laboratory

Question 44

A phlebotomy technician is interviewing a patient before performing a venipuncture. During the interview, the patient states that he lives nearby and ran to the facility to "get in some running time today." Which of the following precautionary actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Have the patient rest comfortably for at least 15 min before the venipuncture

Answer

Offer the patient a high-carbohydrate snack before the venipuncture

Answer

Place the patient in a reclining position for the venipuncture

Answer

Reschedule the venipuncture for another day

Question 45

A phlebotomy technician has collected a blood specimen from a patient who is in an isolation room. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the technician remove first?

Accepted Answer

Gloves

Answer

Gown

Answer

Mask

Answer

Goggles

Question 46

A provider has ordered a urine culture and sensitivity test. Which of the following types of urine collection should a phlebotomy technician obtain?

Accepted Answer

Clean-catch midstream

Answer

Random

Answer

Timed urine collection

Answer

First morning

Question 47

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient who has scabies. Which of the following pieces of personal protection equipment should the technician use?

Accepted Answer

Gown

Answer

Goggles

Answer

N95 respirator

Answer

Face shield

Question 48

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from the antecubital site of a patient. Which of the following devices can be used to help stabilize the arm for the collection?

Accepted Answer

Phlebotomy wedge

Answer

Supply clamp

Answer

Hand immobilizer

Answer

Hand brace

Question 49

To prevent hospital-acquired infections, a phlebotomy technician should clean items that have been contaminated by blood with a 1:10 dilution of which of the following substances and water?

Accepted Answer

Sodium hydrochlorite

Answer

Hydrogen peroxide

Answer

Isopropyl alcohol

Answer

Benzalkonium chloride

Question 50

A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient to measure the trough level of a medication. The technician should collect the specimen at which of the following times?

Accepted Answer

Within 15 min before the patient receives the next dose of medication

Answer

Less than 15 min after the patient receives a dose of the medication

Answer

At least 2 hr after the patient receives a dose of the medication

Answer

Approximately halfway between two doses of the medication

Question 51

A phlebotomy technician is following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's (CLSI) clinical laboratory workflow pathway. As part of the post-examination phase of this process, which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Enter critical laboratory data

Answer

Process the specimen

Answer

Review and verify results

Answer

Provide post-puncture care

Question 52

A phlebotomy technician is following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute's (CLSI) clinical laboratory workflow pathway. As part of the post-examination phase of this process, which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Enter critical laboratory data

Answer

Process the specimen

Answer

Review and verify results

Answer

Provide post-puncture care

Question 53

A phlebotomy technician is selecting a site to collect a blood specimen from a patient. After applying a tourniquet, the technician sees no apparent veins to use for the venipuncture. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Have the patient dangle her arm for 1 to 2 min

Answer

Apply and inflate a blood pressure cuff to 60 mm Hg

Answer

Puncture the area where the patient's vein should be located

Answer

Tap the area repeatedly until a vein appears

Question 54

Which of the following actions is a phlebotomy technician required to take before leaving a patient's room?

Accepted Answer

Initial and mark the date and time on each tube drawn

Answer

Ask the patient for feedback

Answer

Alert the nurse that she is leaving

Answer

Initial and mark the date and time on the requisition form

Question 55

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a vancomycin peak level for a patient in an inpatient setting. Which of the following actions should the technician take prior to collecting the blood specimen?

Accepted Answer

Ask the attending nurse if the patient's vancomycin dose schedule is accurate

Answer

Ask the patient when he received his last dose of vancomycin

Answer

Ask the pharmacist when the next dose of vancomycin is scheduled for the patient

Answer

Ask the provider if the patient has received his dose of vancomycin

Question 56

A phlebotomy technician has a requisition form for a series of tests on a patient's serum. The technician should select a collection tube that contains which of the following additives?

Accepted Answer

Thrombin

Answer

Sodium fluoride

Answer

Sodium citrate

Answer

Heparin

Question 57

According to standard precautions, a phlebotomy technician should take which of the following actions when shipping specimens to a reference laboratory in hot weather?

Accepted Answer

Place the specimen in a box with cold packs and a biohazard label

Answer

Place the specimens in a box with bubble wrap and a biohazard label

Answer

Place the specimens in a padded envelope with cold packs and a biohazard label

Answer

Place the specimens in a padded envelope with bubble wrap and a biohazard label.

Question 58

A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient who states, "I faint at the sight of blood." Which of the following positions is optimal for the patient's safety during the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Lying in a reclined position

Answer

Standing against the wall

Answer

Sitting upright in a chair

Answer

Leaning on a stool

Question 59

A phlebotomy technician is educating a patient about the at-home collection of a semen specimen. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates an understanding of the procedure?

Accepted Answer

"I will collect the specimen in a sterile container and return it to the lab within 1 hour"

Answer

"I will collect the specimen in a sterile container and refrigerate"

Answer

"I will collect the specimen in a clean condom and return in 3 hours"

Answer

"I will abstain from ejaculation for 12 hours prior to the test"

Question 60

A phlebotomy technician should transport a semen sample at which of the following temperatures?

Accepted Answer

36 to 38 degree C

Answer

-20 to -10 degree C

Answer

21 to 23 degree C

Answer

25 to 30 degree C

Question 61

Which of the following actions should a phlebotomy technician take to locate a vein using the warming technique?

Accepted Answer

Encase the warm towel in a plastic bag

Answer

Heat a clean towel to 45 degree C

Answer

Wrap the warm towel around the sire for 1 to 2 min

Answer

Ask the patient to rinse her hands in warm water for 2 min

Question 62

A phlebotomy technician is collecting capillary blood drops on a filter paper card to screen a newborn for phenylketonuria. Which of the following actions should the technician take?

Accepted Answer

Apply blood to the printed side of the filter paper

Answer

Add a second drop of blood if a circle is not full

Answer

Touch the puncture site to the filter paper

Answer

Allow the blood spots to dry for a minimum of 2 hr

Question 63

A phlebotomy technician should identify that which of the following is the first step in the blood collection procedure?

Accepted Answer

Test requisition

Answer

Preparing equipment

Answer

Test accession

Answer

Vein locatioin

Question 64

A phlebotomy technician should identify that which of the following is an identifier for a specimen as long as it remains in the laboratory?

Accepted Answer

Accession number

Answer

ICD-10 codes

Answer

CPT code

Answer

Medical record number

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