NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) practice questions

200 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 101.A phlebotomy technician is asked to perform a venipuncture on a patient who states, 'I do not want my blood drawn today.' The technician has already verified the patient's identity and explained the procedure. What is the most appropriate action?Safety and Compliance
  2. 102.A phlebotomy technician notices that the quality control (QC) results for a new batch of glucose testing strips are outside the acceptable range. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?Safety and Compliance
  3. 103.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient with a known history of hepatitis B. What is the minimum level of personal protective equipment (PPE) required for this procedure?Safety and Compliance
  4. 104.A phlebotomy technician observes a colleague consistently failing to wear gloves during routine venipunctures for non-infectious patients. This practice is a violation of which of the following safety principles?Safety and Compliance
  5. 105.A phlebotomy technician is performing venipuncture. After inserting the needle, the patient complains of a sharp, radiating pain down their arm. The technician should immediately:Safety and Compliance
  6. 106.A phlebotomy technician is asked to draw blood from a patient who has an intravenous (IV) line in the antecubital fossa of their right arm. The left arm has significant scarring from previous surgeries. Which of the following is the most appropriate action?Safety and Compliance
  7. 107.A phlebotomy technician is transporting blood specimens from an outpatient clinic to the main laboratory. Which of the following is the most important safety consideration during transport?Safety and Compliance
  8. 108.A phlebotomy technician is documenting a venipuncture procedure. Which of the following pieces of information is LEAST critical to include in the immediate post-procedure documentation for routine blood collection?Safety and Compliance
  9. 109.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient in isolation. The patient is under contact precautions for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). In addition to gloves, which of the following PPE should the technician don before entering the room?Safety and Compliance
  10. 110.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform venipuncture on a patient with visible signs of a skin infection at the antecubital fossa. Which of the following actions should the technician take?Safety and Compliance
  11. 111.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood from a patient with a known history of tuberculosis. Which of the following precautions should the technician implement?Safety and Compliance
  12. 112.A phlebotomy technician is tasked with performing a blood draw on a patient who states, 'I'm allergic to iodine.' The requisition specifies povidone-iodine for skin antisepsis. Which of the following is the most appropriate alternative antiseptic to use?Safety and Compliance
  13. 113.A phlebotomy technician is asked to label blood collection tubes. According to CLSI guidelines, when should the labels be applied?Safety and Compliance
  14. 114.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to clean a venipuncture site. Which of the following antiseptics is generally NOT recommended for routine skin preparation due to its potential to interfere with certain lab tests or cause patient reactions?Safety and Compliance
  15. 115.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient with a known history of hepatitis B. Which of the following precautions is specifically mandated by OSHA for preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens?Safety and Compliance
  16. 116.A phlebotomy technician is asked to collect a blood specimen from a patient who is currently receiving chemotherapy and has a port-a-cath in place. The patient's nurse is unavailable. Which of the following actions should the technician take?Safety and Compliance
  17. 117.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to dispose of a used needle and syringe after a successful blood draw. Which of the following is the correct method for disposal?Safety and Compliance
  18. 118.A phlebotomy technician is performing a quality control check on a new lot of evacuated blood collection tubes. Which of the following parameters is most crucial to verify to ensure accurate test results?Safety and Compliance
  19. 119.Which of the following scenarios represents a violation of patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations?Safety and Compliance
  20. 120.A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture. After inserting the needle, the patient complains of a sudden, sharp, radiating pain down their arm. The technician should immediately:Safety and Compliance
  21. 121.A phlebotomy technician needs to collect a specimen for a Coagulation Panel (PT/INR, PTT). Which of the following evacuated tubes should be used?Collection Routine
  22. 122.A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture and has successfully inserted the needle into the vein. However, no blood flows into the evacuated tube. Which of the following is the most likely cause?Collection Routine
  23. 123.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a dermal puncture on an infant for a bilirubin test. Which of the following warming techniques is most appropriate for the puncture site?Collection Routine
  24. 124.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen for a blood alcohol content (BAC) test as part of a forensic investigation. Which of the following antiseptics should the technician use?Collection Routine
  25. 125.A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture on a patient who reports feeling lightheaded and dizzy. The patient's skin appears pale and clammy. Which of the following is the most appropriate immediate action?Collection Routine
  26. 126.A phlebotomy technician is instructing a patient on the proper collection of a 24-hour urine specimen. Which of the following instructions is essential for the patient to follow?Collection Routine
  27. 127.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a capillary puncture on an adult patient. Which of the following fingers is the most appropriate site for this procedure?Collection Routine
  28. 128.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood gas specimen. Which of the following is the most important collection consideration for this test?Collection Routine
  29. 129.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from an infant using a heel stick. To prevent osteochondritis, the technician should ensure the puncture depth does not exceed which of the following?Collection Routine
  30. 130.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a 2-hour postprandial glucose specimen. When should the technician instruct the patient to come back for the blood draw?Collection Routine
  31. 131.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen for an ammonia level test. Which of the following special handling procedures is required for this specimen?Collection Routine
  32. 132.A phlebotomy technician is instructing a patient on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. Which of the following instructions should the technician include?Collection Routine
  33. 133.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to draw blood for a blood alcohol content (BAC) test as part of a legal proceeding. Which of the following antiseptics is most appropriate to use?Collection Routine
  34. 134.After performing a venipuncture, a phlebotomy technician notices a small amount of blood leaking from the site and forming a lump under the skin. This indicates the formation of which of the following?Collection Routine
  35. 135.A phlebotomy technician is instructing a patient on how to collect a 24-hour urine specimen. Which of the following instructions is most important to include?Collection Routine
  36. 136.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood culture using the aerobic and anaerobic bottles. Which of the following actions should the technician take to prevent contamination?Collection Routine
  37. 137.A phlebotomy technician is preparing a site for venipuncture. After applying antiseptic, the technician should allow it to air dry completely. What is the primary reason for this step?Collection Routine
  38. 138.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient with fragile veins. Which of the following venipuncture devices should the technician select to minimize trauma?Collection Routine
  39. 139.A phlebotomy technician is performing a venipuncture on a patient, and after inserting the needle, no blood flows into the tube. The technician gently repositions the needle but still gets no blood. What should be the next step?Collection Routine
  40. 140.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen for a fasting glucose test. The patient states they had a small snack about an hour ago. Which of the following actions should the technician take?Collection Routine
  41. 141.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen for a bilirubin test on a newborn. Which of the following special handling procedures is required for this specimen?Collection Routine
  42. 142.A phlebotomy technician is collecting blood using a winged infusion set (butterfly needle) for a patient with small, fragile veins. Which of the following angles of insertion is most appropriate for this device?Collection Routine
  43. 143.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood specimen from a patient with a known allergy to latex. Which of the following supplies should the technician prioritize to ensure patient safety?Collection Routine
  44. 144.A phlebotomy technician is instructing a patient on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. Which of the following instructions should the technician include to ensure proper collection?Collection Routine
  45. 145.A phlebotomy technician is performing a capillary puncture on an adult patient for a CBC. Which of the following fingers is the most appropriate site for collection?Collection Routine
  46. 146.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient who has a mastectomy on the right side. The patient also has an IV running in her left antecubital fossa. Which of the following sites is the most appropriate for venipuncture?Collection Routine
  47. 147.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to collect a blood culture. Which of the following is the most critical step in preventing contamination of the specimen?Collection Routine
  48. 148.A phlebotomy technician is performing a heel stick on an infant for a newborn screening. Which of the following areas of the heel is the safest and most appropriate for the puncture?Collection Routine
  49. 149.A phlebotomy technician is collecting a blood specimen from a patient who begins to experience a seizure during the venipuncture. What is the phlebotomist's immediate priority?Collection Routine
  50. 150.A phlebotomy technician is preparing to perform a venipuncture on a patient with a history of fainting during blood draws. Which of the following actions should the technician take to ensure patient safety?Collection Routine